The paint is peeling on the 1950s-era ironwork accenting the front porch of my home. I think this is a small enough project that I will be able to tackle it myself, but I am unsure how to proceed. Do I need to scrape off all the old paint before applying new? Is a spray paint an option, or is the best choice to use a brush and can of paint?
"Preparation is the key on any paint job, and especially so for metal railing that is constantly under attack from the elements," says Gregory Taylor, owner of CertaPro Painters of Central Arkansas.
It is also a good idea to choose a warm, dry day for this project. If the surfaces are wet, the temperature is lower than 50 degrees or the humidity is more than 80 percent, wait for better conditions.
When painting the ironwork, make sure the surrounding surfaces and the ground underneath are covered by drop cloths and painter's tape.
There are several steps that must be taken before painting the ironwork to ensure the new paint job adheres well and lasts as long as possible.
Thoroughly cleaning the ironwork is essential, he says.
"The first step is to pressure wash the grill to remove dirt, mildew and some of the loose and peeling paint," Taylor says.
The next order of business is to be sure that any loose remaining paint is removed.
"Once the metal is dry, use some heavy grit sandpaper (60-80) to remove the rusty and flaking areas by sanding them off to ensure that all of the peeling paint is gone," he says. Use a wire brush on stubborn rust.
After all of the rust is gone, using a medium-grit flexible sanding sponge to scuff all surfaces will help ensure good adhesion of the new paint.
The next step is to prime any bare metal areas. Taylor likes Sherwin-Williams All Surface Enamel Primer.
Once the primer has thoroughly dried, the next step is to paint the ironwork. "Follow this with Sherwin-Williams DTM acrylic paint, which can be applied with either a brush or a roller," he says.
If there is a large surface to be painted, Taylor says, another option is to apply the paint with a sprayer instead of a brush or roller.
-- Linda S. Haymes
Do you have a decorating or remodeling question? We'll get you an answer from an authority. Send your question to Linda S. Haymes, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203 or email:
lhaymes@arkansasonline.com
HomeStyle on 11/14/2015