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Primer before Tremclad Enamel on previously painted steel door

I have painted my previously painted steel outside door with 3 coats of Tremclad enamel and the original paint still shows through. The color of the door before was medium blue and the color I am using is a deep green. I have sanded and TSP'd [trisodium phosphate ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] ] the door and the adhesion seems good, just very transparent. I have a large French door to do as well, but am thinking perhaps I should have used a primer before. What would you recommend?

Jane Simpson-Brown
hobbyist - SAULT Ste MARIE, Ontario, Canada
2004

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That's more of a home improvement topic than an industrial metal finishing topic, but I've made the same mistake of starting with enamel, applying 5 coats, and still not having a saturated color. You need to paint it with matching flat paint first; the enamel is translucent.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2004