Railings

[susanq]

Four years ago we put in some iron railings. When obtaining the quote we were given the price of with powder coating or without. Difference in price was about £300. Even though the guy who made the railings pointed out the benefits of having them powder coated, hubby decides to save a few bob and opts for the non powder coated option. I have since been painting these railings around this time every year. It doesn't matter what I use - Hammerite, Ameron coatings - they still end up peeling and going rusty every year. I've applied the paint with a brush and a roller - no joy.
Does anyone have any advice? (It's too late to remove them and send them off to be powder coated as they're fixed into the stone coping).

[AcidReflux]

Hammerite is rubbish.

When restoring their cars, some Americans swear by a product called POR-15 which you can buy from Frost: http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=9...
It's expensive and you have to paint something else over the top of it to give it UV protection but it's proper old-school tough. Prepare the surfaces with Metal Ready before painting the POR-15 to give it the proper adhesion: http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=8...

I've seen a POR-15 finish and it's unscratchable and seemingly immune to hammer blows. Good stuff. Don't get it on your hands though - it won't come off for days.

[Simpo Two]

I used Hammerite on my railings and it lasted well - about seven years. Wire brush to start with, then wipe off the dust and apply by brush. Any paint is only as good as the surface you put it on.

[Busamav]

What finish did they come with originally and are the railings iron for sure ?