How to Paint Over Rusted Metal Railings & Gates

Old exterior metalwork requires regular care to prevent decay. Read our handy guide to learn how a simple lick of paint can restore your railings and gates to their former glory!

Tools for the Job

• Hose
• Deck Brush
• Microfibre Cloth
• White Spirit
• Paint Scraper
• Wire Brush
• Sandpaper
• Farbex Rust Inhibiting Primer
• Ralston All-Primer
• Ralston Aqua in High Gloss, Satin or Semi-matt
• Wooster Silver Tip Brush
• 4” Mohair or Short Nap (3/8”) Roller Sleeve
• Wooster Sherlock Roller Frame

Step 1: Clean

Whether the surface is new or previously painted, it needs to be free of dirt, rust and other contaminants before painting. If the metalwork has been painted before, you can clean it with a cloth or with a hose and deck brush.

Step 2: Remove the Rust

You need to remove any rust before painting, otherwise, it will eat away at the metal. Start by removing loose rust and paintwork with a paint scraper. Then scour the surface with a wire brush. Eventually, you will see parts of the surface change from a reddish-brown colour to silver.

Tip: Wear goggles to protect your eyes from flying rust!

Step 3: Sand

Sand the surface to abrade the previous sound coatings somewhat (this will assist adhesion of primer) and further clean the exposed iron. If you notice some paint is flaking off where you used the wire brush – then restart step one in this area. Dampen a clean cloth with white spirits, wipe the dust off the ironwork, and allow to dry fully.

Step 4: Prime

For uncoated iron, you will need a primer. If you’re working on a previously painted surface, you only need a primer in spots where the iron is exposed. The primer will lay the foundation of all subsequent coats of paint – so it’s critical to get it right the first time.

Start by applying one coat of a traditional metal primer to areas with exposed iron – use a Zinc Phosphate primer such as the Farbex Rust Inhibiting Primer. This has rust-inhibiting qualities, which are essential for protecting against the Irish rain. Check the manufacturer's instructions to find out how much drying time is needed before the next coat.

Then apply one coat of a water-based primer such as Ralston Aqua All-Primer.

Step 5: Paint!

Apply one or two coats of a water-based topcoat. We recommend the Ralston Aqua range in your choice of finish - High Gloss, Satin or Semi-Matt.

Using both a brush and roller is the fastest way to complete this task. Choose a high-quality synthetic bristle brush such as a Wooster Silver Tip – these will not shed bristle and will wash out easily. As for rollers, we recommend using a 4” Mohair or a Short Nap (3/8”) sleeve along with a Wooster Sherlock roller frame – these will apply paint smoothly and will last for many years.