How to properly paint metal railings
The most important points in brief
- Metal railings remain beautiful for a long time with regular maintenance and proper painting; thorough rust removal and a suitable primer are crucial.
- galvanised railings require special pretreatment, including a wetting agent wash, before applying the weatherproof paint.
- ELEO offers durable, visually appealing balcony railings such as the hot-dip galvanised Ancona model, as well as helpful maintenance instructions.
Painting a rusty and galvanised railing – step-by-step instructions
A metal railing on a balcony or staircase is a real asset to any home. It becomes a nuisance, however, when rust mars its attractive appearance. Initially, only surface rust usually forms, which can be easily removed. Over time, however, the rust can intensify, penetrate the metal, and cause damage. This damage then manifests as holes. Give your railing a new lease on life by removing the rust and giving it a fresh coat of paint. We explain step by step how to paint your rusty railing – from rust removal to the actual painting. We also take a look at painting galvanised railings. These require a slightly more specialized treatment.
Painting Metal Railings: The Most Important Things in Brief
- Pretreatment is important for painting a metal railing.
- Remove rust spots with sandpaper or rust converter.
- For galvanised railings, a wash with a wetting agent is also necessary.
- The actual application of paint can be done with a brush or spray gun.
- Choose a paint in your desired colour that is weather- and UV-resistant.
You can find detailed instructions in the article. Good luck painting your railing!
Removing Rust from and Painting Balcony Railings
Removing rust from your railing can be done in just two steps. Next comes the painting.
Step 1: Remove dirt and grease
Before painting your rusty railing, you should first clean it. Remove dirt and grease using a mild detergent, a degreaser, and warm water. Clean your railing with a soft sponge or cloth and then let it dry thoroughly.
Step 2: Sanding the rusty railing
Now it's time to sand. You will need:
- Sandpaper grits 80, 100, and 120
- Wire brush
- Angle grinder (optional)
- Respirator mask
- Safety goggles
Safety first – always wear a respirator mask and safety goggles. This way, you are protected from fine dust and flying rust particles during the sanding process.
Use coarse sandpaper (80 grit) and a wire brush to remove loose layers of rust. For larger areas, you can also use an angle grinder. If your railing has intricate decorations, a mini sander is a good option, allowing you to easily reach smaller angles, curves, and gaps.
Once the worst of the rust is removed, you can continue with 100 grit sandpaper and finally with 120 grit. Afterward, wipe the railing down again to remove any remaining fine dust. As a final step, apply a primer to the railing to optimally prepare it for painting.
Painting railings without sanding: Is that possible?
Admittedly, sanding down a rusty railing is time-consuming. If you don't feel like doing it yourself, you can also use rust converter. You can get this at a hardware store. The rust converter ensures that the rust transforms into a protective layer, which conveniently also acts as a primer. Important to know: When using rust converter, the surface of your railing will become slightly roughened. Allow the rust converter to dry thoroughly before you begin painting.
Step 3: Painting the Railing
Now it's finally time to paint your wrought iron railing. Use synthetic resin paint in your desired colour or epoxy resin. The latter offers greater mechanical resistance. You can use a standard paintbrush for application.
Paint or spray railings?
As an alternative to painting with a brush, you can also apply the paint with a spray gun. The advantage here is that the paint application is more even. You can avoid typical paint runs – which quickly occur when painting with a brush – by spraying the paint.
Painting a galvanised railing – here’s how
A galvanised metal railing withstands the elements for years and generally doesn't need to be painted. However, if you decide to paint it for aesthetic reasons, there are a few details to consider.
Zinc has the property of not forming a lasting bond with paint. You can counteract this problem by carrying out thorough pretreatment, including zinc washing.
Step 1: Pretreatment
First, remove loose dirt and grease residue from the railing. For this, you will need a mild detergent, a degreaser, and warm water. Next, roughly sand the railing. Then comes the wetting agent wash, which is necessary to artificially roughen the surface. For this, you can either use a zinc cleaner, which you can get at a hardware store, or you can mix the solution yourself. For this you will need: Water Diluted ammonia solution (also called ammonium chloride) Dish soap Mix water and ammonia in a 10:1 ratio and add a squirt of dish soap. Stir – done. Put on gloves and apply the solution with a sponge. Then work the railing with a plastic abrasive pad until a gray foam forms. Let the foam soak in for a few minutes, then rinse it off with water.
Now your galvanised railing is ready for priming.
Step 2: The Primer
To create a bonding surface, use a primer from a hardware store – for example, an all-purpose primer. First, treat the corners and edges of the railing, then the rest of the surface. Ideally, apply the primer in two coats. Let it dry thoroughly. Then, roughen the surface with sandpaper.
Step 3: Painting
Now comes the actual painting with a weather- and UV-resistant coloured paint in your desired colour. It's best to start with the small railing decorations – if there are any – and then paint the larger areas. Ideally, apply the paint in two coats. Then let the paint dry thoroughly. Done!
Old railing to go? Find your new dream railing here
If your balcony railing is too old and even a fresh coat of paint won't help, it's time for something new. Take a look at our selection of high-quality, weather-resistant railings made from dimensionally stable wrought iron.
Differences between metal and wooden railings at a glance
|
Features |
Metal railings |
Wooden railings |
|
Durability |
high |
low |
|
Optics |
modern |
rustic |
|
Maintenance |
low |
high |
|
Costs |
high |
moderate |
Available in different coatings
Available in different coatings
Available in different coatings
Tip: If you're using a spray gun, you should first cover the area around your railing generously with protective tarpaulins.
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