Metal railing and wrought iron painting in Naperville, IL

Why rust comes back through paint

Rust spreads under paint. Once water reaches bare steel at a chip or a weld, rust forms and lifts the coating around it, and new paint over that only seals moisture in. That is why a railing painted every spring still bubbles by fall. The fix is removing loose rust down to firm metal or tight rust, then stopping what is left before any paint goes on.

We wire-brush or grind the loose rust and failing paint, treat remaining rust with a converter or a rust-inhibiting primer, and finish with two coats of exterior enamel. Products such as Rust-Oleum's rust-inhibiting primers and enamels are made for exactly this, and they hold up far better than wall paint on metal.

What moves the price of railing and iron painting

Metal work is priced by length and detail, since every picket and scroll is hand work.

• Linear feet of railing or fence
• Scrolls, pickets and decorative detail
• How much rust has to come off
• Bolt-down bases and posts that need extra prep
• Color: black and dark colors versus custom

Rusting Stair Rails

Front stair rails take water, road salt tracked from the driveway and daily hands, and they rust first at the bases and welds. We grind and brush those spots to firm metal, treat the rust, prime, and finish the whole rail so the color is even. Where a base has rusted badly at the concrete, we will tell you if the post needs repair by a metal fabricator before paint, since paint cannot hold a failing weld together. Handrails get a final coat that cures hard, since they are gripped every day.

Wrought Iron Fences

Iron fences have hundreds of surfaces: pickets, rails, finials and scrolls. We brush and scrape each section, treat rust, and brush the primer and enamel into every joint, since a sprayer misses the backs of pickets and wastes paint on the lawn. Plants along the fence line are tied back or covered. Satin black is the usual color; it hides small imperfections better than gloss and still looks crisp from the street. Gates are painted open so the hinge side and latch get full coverage too.

Light Poles and Mailbox Posts

Metal light poles, lamp posts and mailbox posts are small jobs on their own, so they are often added to a railing or fence visit. They rust at the base where grass trimmers chip the paint and water sits. We protect the fixtures and the glass, treat the rust, prime and repaint, and can match the color to the railings so everything at the front of the house reads as one set. House numbers and fixture glass are masked so they stay crisp and readable.

When metal painting fits the Chicago-area season

How we paint metal railings and fences

1. 1

   Inspect

   Rust, loose posts and failing welds noted.

2. 2

   Remove loose rust

   Wire brush or grinder down to firm metal.

3. 3

   Treat and prime

   Converter or rust-inhibiting primer on every bare spot.

4. 4

   Two coats of enamel

   Brushed into every joint and picket back.

5. 5

   Clean up

   Steps and walks cleaned of dust and drips.

Signs the metal needs attention

Painting metal yourself: what to weigh

A short rail is a fair DIY job if the rust is light. Two things make it harder.