Powder coating railings.
Discussion
A few years ago hubby and I had some railings installed. Made of steel I think, with a fancy finial on top, so as to fit in with a Victorian property. When we were given a price for the job, an added extra was having them powder coated. This was a few hundred pounds extra, and as we were on a tight budget we opted against it. Big mistake! My Easter is now spent painting the bloomin' things, all 200 feet of them. I've tried Hammerite and Ameron paint, but it still ends up peeling off and railings going rusty. Can anyone please give me some advice on what I should do to avoid having to paint them on an annual basis? Is it possible to have them powder coated 'in situ' or do they have to be taken away for this?
You cannot powder coat in situ.
Powder coating is a process where the item to be coated is connected to an electrical circuit, and the spray gun is also on this circuit. The powder is "attracted" to the item to be coated.
The powder is then baked on in an oven.
Can the railing be unbolted? Panels of railings are often bolted to tabs that are cast into brickwork.
Your only real option is to blast clean the railings to remove the corrosion, then paint with a good quality exterior paint system.
The blasting will be noisy, messy and costly. The painting labourious. The cost would be dramatically more than the £200 you were offered.
Sorry to bring bad news, but in all honesty, wire brushes, wire brush cup on a small grinder, then brushes and paint are your only real option. Oh, and loads of time.
Alternatively, a couple of Poles at 5 quid an hour may be a good option?
Powder coating is a process where the item to be coated is connected to an electrical circuit, and the spray gun is also on this circuit. The powder is "attracted" to the item to be coated.
The powder is then baked on in an oven.
Can the railing be unbolted? Panels of railings are often bolted to tabs that are cast into brickwork.
Your only real option is to blast clean the railings to remove the corrosion, then paint with a good quality exterior paint system.
The blasting will be noisy, messy and costly. The painting labourious. The cost would be dramatically more than the £200 you were offered.
Sorry to bring bad news, but in all honesty, wire brushes, wire brush cup on a small grinder, then brushes and paint are your only real option. Oh, and loads of time.
Alternatively, a couple of Poles at 5 quid an hour may be a good option?
Simpo Two said:
I have some railings, albeit not 200 feet, but when the original black finish started deteriorating I gave them a wire brushing then Hammerite and it lasted 10 years. With all paint, preparation is the key (literally!)
Looks like this will be my Easter project, yet again. What undercoat would you recommend if any?Gingerbread Man said:
Can you not rent a shot/ sand blaster from the local hire firm. Blast them on site. Mask surrounding area and spray or.... Paint with brush?
Blasting outdoors is a messy affair, with lots of noise and disruption to any neighbours that there may be.I doubt you will hire the kit that is capable of performing this task adequately.
Nobby Diesel said:
Gingerbread Man said:
Can you not rent a shot/ sand blaster from the local hire firm. Blast them on site. Mask surrounding area and spray or.... Paint with brush?
Blasting outdoors is a messy affair, with lots of noise and disruption to any neighbours that there may be.I doubt you will hire the kit that is capable of performing this task adequately.
Must be a quicker way than having to wire brush it all though, no? If not, then you only ever want to do it once!
In my experience just a wash over with the pressure washer, wire bruch any bits that are flaking off, then next day when it's dried, brush Hammerite with a one inch brush. I've found it lasts a good five years. Lots of cardboard down underneath to catch the drips and schlap it on, don't have to be too particular then let it dry for ten mins then lay off the excess with a separate dryish brush. Always worked OK for me. But I only had about 80 feet to do.
susanq said:
Looks like this will be my Easter project, yet again. What undercoat would you recommend if any?
I didn't use one; I don't think Hammerite needs one (although if they sell one you'd probably do best to use it). But after the wirebrushing be sure to get all the dust and debris off - I think I used a rag with some meths to make sure it was degreased as well. Note that Hammerite is cellulose-based so if you want to use your brush again you'll need cellulose thinners; white spirit won't work.
2 years ago I painted a very badly weathered and rusty 18' tall lamp outside my local church.
This lamp is exposed to all weathers and dogs pissing up it.
It had previously been painted with Hammerite that didn't last a year.
I used Dulux Metalshield primer and gloss (primer is buff in colour, gloss is black so 2 coats of gloss needed to cover).
To this day it looks as good as the day I did it.
Obviously the prep work needs doing but the paint's a very good product.
This lamp is exposed to all weathers and dogs pissing up it.
It had previously been painted with Hammerite that didn't last a year.
I used Dulux Metalshield primer and gloss (primer is buff in colour, gloss is black so 2 coats of gloss needed to cover).
To this day it looks as good as the day I did it.
Obviously the prep work needs doing but the paint's a very good product.
Zip106 said:
2 years ago I painted a very badly weathered and rusty 18' tall lamp outside my local church.
This lamp is exposed to all weathers and dogs pissing up it.
It had previously been painted with Hammerite that didn't last a year.
I used Dulux Metalshield primer and gloss (primer is buff in colour, gloss is black so 2 coats of gloss needed to cover).
To this day it looks as good as the day I did it.
Obviously the prep work needs doing but the paint's a very good product.
You didn't rewire it at the same time to deter the dogs perchance? 240V through their little hosepipes would give them a fine tingle.This lamp is exposed to all weathers and dogs pissing up it.
It had previously been painted with Hammerite that didn't last a year.
I used Dulux Metalshield primer and gloss (primer is buff in colour, gloss is black so 2 coats of gloss needed to cover).
To this day it looks as good as the day I did it.
Obviously the prep work needs doing but the paint's a very good product.
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