I have a metal railing fence that's about 7 years old and it's starting to show some rust. It's installed into a concrete retaining wall in my driveway. I'm thinking about just painting it with metal paint, but I'm unsure if that's enough. Is this rust a serious issue? What would be the best way to handle it?
3 Answers
I recommend using Por15 for treating rust. It requires some prep work, but once applied, it's a lasting solution. Regular options like Tremclad might only last a couple of years; if you don't remove the existing rust and properly prime it first, the problem will just come back. Trust me, a good prep makes a huge difference!
You definitely can't just paint over the rust. It's really important to remove all the rust first, either with a drill and wire brush or manually with steel wool. It may take a while, but after sanding, you need to prime with a metal primer and then paint. I’ve tried the quick fix of painting over rust and it only lasts a few days before it comes back. It's a pain, but the thorough method is worth it!
It doesn't look too bad! If you have an angle grinder, a wire wheel attachment can make quick work of the rust spots. If you prefer to do it by hand, a wire brush works too—just slower. For paint, I suggest using a brush-on enamel to get a good finish.