Paint for iron railings

[Nico Adie]

Our new house (we get the keys soon) has lovely ornate iron railings on the perimeter wall. They’re actually the reason the house is listed on account of having not been made into munitions or machinery during WW1 & WW2. They’re not looking their best at the moment and this has been identified by the management as an an area to be rectified as a matter of priority. My only experience of painting metal was helping my dad paint a trailer with Hammerite about 25 years ago. My initial thought is to clean them up with a wire wheel, prime and then paint. I’m certainly open to using an all in one paint/primer if such a product exists.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

 

[Blackswanwood]

Hammerite do a direct to rust paint which I have used. Five years in and no sign of problems.

 

[Nico Adie]

Hammerite do a direct to rust paint which I have used. Five years in and no sign of problems.

Seems to be universally well reviewed, I think we have a winner!

 

[Rod]

If you don’t mind grey then Galvafroid will work as top and/or undercoat
Otherwise Hammerite is good

Rod

 

[Mike G]

Hammerite certainly isn't anywhere near as good as it used to be. I'd be surprised if it lasts a couple of years before needing re-coating. That said, I'm not sure what I'd be using. I'd probably ask my local specialist supplier (Brewers). I know a number of builders who swear by aluminium primer and then a straightforward black (oil-based) gloss paint, and these are guys who used to use Hammerite before they changed the formula.