How to Prep and Paint Rusty Metal Railings
In this video, I paint my rusty metal handrails. These guardrails have been bothering me for a while but they are set into the concrete steps so I wasn't sure of what I was going to do. I decided to keep them in and remove the old paint/rust, and repaint the metal. I used a couple of different tools to remove the rust and they all served different purposes. I decided to change the paint color... what do you think?
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Videos produced by The Fixer are provided for informational purposes only. All material provided within this video is for informational, educational, & entertainment purposes only. Some of these projects, materials, and techniques may not be appropriate for all ages or skill levels. Please use all safety precautions while following any instructions or concepts provided by this video. Viewers must be aware that by doing projects on their homes they are doing it at their own risk and The Fixer cannot be held liable if they cause any damage to their homes. It is the sole responsibility of the viewer to educate themselves on their local codes and regulations before undertaking any sort of project. Always have safety in mind and have fun!
Black on all the railing and the concrete on the side that's now white. Lovely singing!!!
Thats not a bad idea! 🤔
Agreed, would look good.
Agreed!
Go black with the wood rail too!
That singing is top tier.
😂 👍
There are some paints made by Sherwin-Williams and other manufacturers where removal of the rust is not necessary because the paint binds with the rust and makes a seal. These paints can come in various colors.
Ha ha you crack me up love the singing. Awesome job❤
imo i enjoy the sorta illusion it provides when you have the metal railing black but the wooden railing white, white part makes it look like a quaint little entrance, black on the metal looks very nice and lets the eye glaze over the difference in material. your choice though, anything will work.
Thanks for the new video Matt, good job on the railing!❤
thank you for this. I have a wrap around porch and all the railing needs this treatment
I like the black-I would continue the entire railing
sweet, thank you. i have a rusted black metal railing that needs a fresh paint job. thank you for the tips!
No problem! Hope the video helps!
"Put the me on top" ok for some reason I found that hilarious!
I just finished doing my rail. It's a bit longer than yours. I painted it black. Got as much paint and rust off as I could. Turned out nice painted black. Your prep turned out better 😎👍
The columns, window trims and interior railings are all white. Plus the interior railings are wood. So I lean towards leaving it white. The exterior railing which you did in black looks like an accent piece and it's the exterior portion of the porch area. The contrast works aesthetically. But what do I know - I'm just a fan of your tutorials. Enjoy what ever you decide. 😄
Thanks this is my next project if it stops raining on the weekends!
i enjoyed your video. Straight and to the point.
I always get my drill caught up in the drop cloths on these projects! :) Thanks for the video!
We need more Massachusetts KZheadrs
I would keep the wood rails white since they touch the house literally and visually. Black isn't one of your house's colors and to add a single element of black looks out of place. But you do you! (I also agree very much with another commenter here who wrote that the black almost makes the metal railing disappear, which allows the eye to focus on the entryway which is beautiful.)
Nice job. A top coat would make it last longer. I know from experience that the rust converter doesn't hold up as well as you might think.
It looks GREAT!
This comes in handy. I need to do mine this year. Thanks for the tips!
I saw black on the wooden railing also. Thanks for the childhood summertime memories of painting the front & back porch railings to earn some extra money.
Thanks for sharing!
Had the exact ones. Did that every spring until they finally rusted through at the bottom. Finally had to remove them.
Thanks looks great 😊
Paint stripping disk and a grinder, would make quick work of this.
Nice video. One suggestion….share the time each step takes.. thanks!,!!!
Good Job !! The rust-converter is great stuff for light rust....you got down to very light rust, so it will be good a long time. Consider painting concrete side the same green as your house siding. I def like the spiral spindled black iron handrail...I prefer a semi-gloss finish, but the matte finish is good, too. I'd paint all rails the same matte black. We'll see, right?
Great tutorial. as always! I hate preparing surfaces like this for painting. Sorry, but I think it should all be white to match the house trim.
The Fixer 👍
Paint the other railing black also! :)
I think you should paint the vertical balusters black and leave the rest of the railing white.
A friend had a unique approach to painting rails like that. He used 'liquid' paint (not a spray), rubber gloves, and a rag. He soaked the rag in the paint, then by hand wrapped it around the vertical rails and ran it up and down. Then the horizontal parts. Worked pretty good.
That's a HUGE waste of paint, and one more toxic rag that'll end up in a landfill.
I love watching your videos. I don't know why.
“Got the me on there” 😂😂
white wood black wrought iron 👍🏽
I use that spray on the underbody on my car. Anytime I change my oil. If I see surface rust, I hut it with that. It works great for me.
Yes! Used to do the same thing with my truck!
Black will add some contrast
Leave the post white, but make the railing black. :)
When I had my old house, did exactly the same thing but I had more railing. Very tedious work.
🤣the hee hee part.
😂
this might sound wierd but keep the railing white but paint the cement were it's white black. It would make it disappear. I think since you have white trim everywhere else it would look best staying white. Did I say white enough?
Your paint prep is remarkable!!!
Alright Michael 😂 paint the railings black. I laughed out loud, glad I watched until the end!
Paint the other railing black, it will pop and match the bilco doors you did a while ago. Cheers!
I would go black with the railing too 🤔
Yep, it helps. I have a rusty handrail.
Good video not long ago I repainted my black railing probably about 40’ I used a scraper initially then switch to those thin pan scraping type sponges and it knocked it down pretty smooth worked great worst part was taping it all so I paid my 15 year old granddaughter to tape it all real good she was excited to make money and I was excited not to do it Lol
Well that sounds like a good deal for everyone involved. 😀😂 Thanks for checking out the video!
Man I love your channel. I am just like you, just a lot earlier in my journey to fix all the crap on my old house. I have damn near the same rails on my front steps. Haha. So I was wondering if a sand blaster would make this a lot easier? I also have a concrete porch like that but mine has this nasty, thick concrete paint on it that I want to remove. So I’m trying to figure out what to use on that too. I was considering just using faux stone strips on the sides and something similar on the top even, filled in with concrete grout or something.
Paint the whole house black, incognito style.
Yes Matt, ive been waiting for like 2.5 years on the porch video. When do we get the full remodel?
Well I am happy you finally get to see it done. Will have to stay tuned about the full remodel...
i'd leave the rest white. if the rest of the railing were that same metal then i'd paint it black too, but because it's different it just seems right to only paint that metal part black.
rust reformer is basically primer.. it sticks good but it’s very porous allowing water and moisture to work it’s way underneath. should’ve gone with a satin or matte purpose top coat, or for maximum protection, a thick roll-on gate paint.
😀😂
a metal chain can help remove rust and paint just pull it back and forth over railings
💖
Could paint the mailbox black to balance it , would leave the railing white.
I think leave the other handrail white.
Hay just came to this video after watching the concert repair job can we get a update and any after thoughts
👍
Keep the wood railing white but add black accents elsewhere on front elevation. Shutters maybe?
I would say paint the wood railing black and the steps too
🎥
Since it was all masked up, I would have done a finish topcoat.
Always paint from the top down. If there are any runs you can still remove them while painting.
Wow I was thinking of saving my rails but yikes: 2 bad wrist think it would kick my butt😐
What is the name of the paper that you covered the steps and the pillar so as not to stain them with paint?
Hey! That is left over "rosin paper" I had laying around. It is typically used to go under hardwood floors before they are installed. Thanks for checking out the video!
Red rosin paper. Home Depot sells it in large rolls in the paint department.
I'd just cut the thing off and get a new powder-coated aluminum one like I have on my deck. But if I was going to keep it I'd go with a wire wheel and safety goggles.
Ultimately.. The metal railing should go and replaced with wood to match. Short of that the two should be painted the same color..both black or both white
Black with the other railing.
Black
Go for black
Go black you’ll never have problems flat is faltering 😊
Yep, definitely black!
Leave the white part white.
Leave it white !
You’re funny
It don't matter if it's black or white HEE HEE OWW
Black.
BLACK
Paint rest black!
😂
Paint the rest black ⚫️
Leave the rail white IMHO.
Leave the white alone...lol
Should’ve kept it white.
Paint it black
🎶 It looks better painted black, not white hee! hee! 🎶
And wear goggles.
As much as we pay for our houses and insurance, we shouldn’t have maintenance 💔😩🤣🤣🤣
you let paint cure. Not care
This is a comedy right?
Are you laughing?
Why not use a good paint stripper?. it would reduce the time wasted scraping AND would help removing the rust.
I would paint the rest of the rail black but then you might want to paint the side of the stairs and the beam then the trim to match the beam. Next thing you know your whole house is black lol.
😂