Clean off rust and old paint, treat bare metal, then apply primer and two topcoats for railings and gates that last.
PR-01Check the weather before you startPick a dry day, ideally above 10°C, with no rain forecast for at least 24 hours. Paint applied in damp or cold conditions won't cure properly and will fail early. Avoid painting in direct hot sun too, as it dries the paint too fast and can cause blistering.
PR-02Protect the surrounding areaLay a dust sheet under the railings or gate to catch scrapings and drips. Mask off any brickwork, paving, or paintwork you don't want touched with masking tape. Move nearby plants or cover them, as paint scrapings and old lead paint dust can harm soil and plants.
PR-03Remove rust and flaking paintWork along the metal with a wire brush to knock off loose rust and flaking paint. Use a scraper on stubborn flakes and medium-grit sandpaper to smooth the edges where old paint remains. Wear gloves and eye protection, as old paint on railings can pre-date lead-paint bans and shouldn't be sanded to dust or burned off.
PR-04Wash the metal downMix sugar soap with water and wash the whole surface to remove dirt, grease and dust. Rinse with clean water and leave it to dry fully — this can take a few hours in good weather. Don't paint over anything damp; the paint won't stick properly and can bubble later.
PR-05Treat any bare rust spotsWherever you can see bare metal or rust after cleaning, brush on a rust converter or rust-inhibiting treatment. Follow the tin's instructions for drying time before moving on — this is usually a few hours. Skipping this step means rust will keep spreading under the new paint.
PR-06Prime any bare metalIf you've sanded or treated back to bare metal anywhere, brush on a metal primer over those patches only — you don't need to prime areas where old paint is sound. Let it dry fully before the next step; check the tin for the recoat time, typically a few hours.
PR-07Apply the first coat of topcoatUse a direct-to-metal outdoor paint made for railings and gates. Brush in the direction of the bars or rails, working paint into corners and joints where rust starts first. Apply a thin, even coat rather than a thick one — thick coats run and take longer to dry properly.
1 750ml tin · Metal topcoat paint (e.g. Hammerite)
PR-08Apply the second coatLet the first coat dry fully — check the tin, this is often 4-16 hours depending on the product and weather. Once dry, apply a second even coat for full coverage and better protection. Two thin coats last much longer than one thick one.
PR-09Clean up and dispose of waste safelyClean brushes straight away with white spirit or water, depending on whether you used oil-based or water-based paint. Let empty tins dry out before disposal, and bag up rust scrapings and used sandpaper for your household waste, not the recycling. Take off masking tape and dust sheets once the final coat is fully dry to the touch.