The Best way to Paint Metal Railings

I have been a Professional Decorator for a lot of years and in that time, I’ve painted a hell of a lot of railings. I have used several products and methods, but always come back to the same system, not just because it looks brilliant, but also because I know it will last for years. I thought I’d put pen to paper so I can share what I think is the best way to paint metal railings. Maybe it will help you too.

I’ll section this blog as follows. First, I’ll briefly list the materials and tools you’ll need. I’ll then explain how to paint metal railings in very brief steps. I’ll follow up by going into more detail about some of the steps, considerations, and my product recommendations.

How to Paint Metal Railings

Supplies –

Sandpaper

Metal paint

Tools –

Paint brush

Scuttle

Mini roller

Dust brush

Steps for Painting Metal Railings

Clean the Railings

Paint will not stick to dirt or mould. So, if the railings are dirty, you will need to clean them with warm soapy water. If they have green algae growing on them, then you may want to use a fungicidal treatment to get rid of it.

Abrade

Scrape all flaky paint to remove any that is loose. Then abrade the whole of the surface. This will remove imperfections and aid the adhesion of your new paint.

Remove Dust

Dust hinders adhesion and affects the overall paint finish. You should remove all dust, either with a vacuum cleaner, or ideally with a dust brush.

Prime Rust

I like to prime rust, even if my ‘finish paint’ contains rust inhibitors. This just ensures the painted railings will look good for longer.

Paint

Apply two coats of paint to your railings using a brush and mini roller.

How to Prepare Metal Railings Before Painting

First things first, you’ve got to prep the railings. Assuming your railings are previously painted and looking very tired. The first thing you need to do is clean any heavy dirt off the surface using hot water, a cloth and a cleaning agent such as sugar soap. Any paint you apply over the top of dirt or mould will still look good for a period, but may not adhere very well to the metal and fail over time.

You also need to remove any flakey paint with a scraper or grinder, and then abrade the whole surface using sandpaper (aluminum oxide). This will give you a nice smooth surface to start with and also help with adhesion and longevity.

The Best Paint to use on Metal Railings

I’ll give you a couple of options for the very best paint to use on metal railings. The first good old fashioned Hammerite, and I’ll tell you why. You can apply Hammerite to bare metal without the need of a separate primer. On top of this, as mentioned above, Hammerite contains rust inhibitors, meaning rust will not reoccur for a long period after your railings have been painted.

The other reason I like Hammerite is its thick, creamy and rich. Everything you need to apply thick coats of paint. Opacity is bang on and the finish is brilliant too. You do get a few brush marks, but you can with any metal paint. Drying time is quick for an oil-based paint too and you can normally apply a second coat of the product in the same day. Click here to see latest prices.

This preference may be old-fashioned when it comes to metal paint, but paint technology is changing all the time, and there is an argument to go completely the other way. Bradite have a product called One Can, which is the polar opposite to Hammerite.

Bradite One Can is a fully water-based paint which can be used inside or out. Available online by clicking here, It contains rust inhibitors and stain blocks. Plus, it will adhere to pretty much anything. These qualities make it the perfect material to use when painting metal railings. You’ll find it quicker and easier to use than Hammerite too. I just don’t know whether it will last as long.

I still prefer Hammerite, but Bradite gives you a great alternative.

Best way to Apply the Paint to the Railings

I have tried several methods over the years, but the best one I have found is by using a medium pile mini (emulsion roller) and a brush. Hammerite is thick and gloopy, as are most other metal paints, so applying it all by brush is difficult. The way to do it is simply touch blobs of paint anywhere you can’t get to with the mini roller. So normally inside any decorative swirls, top and bottom of each rail, underneath the handrail etc. This is called “cutting in”. Work on one section at a time, cut in the section, then go back and get all the larger areas with a mini roller full of paint.

Be generous with the paint too!! The more you get on, the better it will look and the longer it will last. Have plenty of dustsheets out to catch any stray drips from your roller.

I recommend Hamilton ‘For The Trade’ mini roller, which will hold plenty of paint and is thin enough to fit between the bars. Available online here. As for the brush, you need something stiff enough to work the paint into every little nook on the railings, but cheap enough to throw away after you’ve finished the job. Sometimes I use a sash brush, but most of the time I use Hamilton For The Trade, which is perfect for this type of painting. Available online here.

Using an Aerosol to Paint Metal Railings

There is a quicker way to paint metal railings, and that’s to use an aerosol. This works best when you only have a small section of railings to paint.

I’ve used a few aerosols, but the only one I like is Maston Hammer. Maston also make a rust primer that is equally good.

You’ll find these paints easy to use and the finish seems to last. What sets Maston apart from others is it feels more viscous. This means it floods every nook and cranny in your metal railing, thus creating a solid paint film.

You can buy Maston Hammer from The Range, or online by clicking here.

FAQs

How many coats of paint do I need for a metal railing?

We recommend applying a rust primer to any rust on your railings (even if your metal paint “contains rust inhibitors”). Then apply two generous coats of paint. A thicker paint film means better longevity.

Can I paint metal with a brush?

Absolutely you can paint metal with a rust, but oil-based metal paints tend to be sticky. If using a paint like that, I suggest you use a mini roller to get any flat edges.

Should you sand metal before painting?

You should sand everything before you paint, including metal. Sanding helps break the paint film, remove dirt, and create a key to aid adhesion.

How do you paint metal railings fast?

Using a water-based paint like Bradite One Can will speed things up a lot. Also, use a mini roller as well as a brush.

Do you need to prime metal railings before painting?

It depends on what paint system you’re using. Most metal paints are self-priming nowadays, but priming the rust with oxide primer will help.

What kind of spray paint do you use on metal?

Maston Hammer is a great aerosol to use on metal. It’s easy to use, quick, and the finish will last a long time.

Final Thoughts

Metal rusts, so when you’re painting something like metal railings, making it ‘look good’ is only half the battle. Stopping the rust and painting it so the finish will last are equally important.

That’s why it’s worth taking your time and doing a thorough job. Get your prep right, clean everything down, prime the rust, and then apply two generous coats of metal paint.

Do that and your metal railings will look just as good in two or three years as they do now.