Painting Rails

[Handy Andy]

Some paint the sides of their rails to produce the prototypical rusted look.

Are their any recommendations on the paint to use ?

[kstrong]

Many folks use a ruddy brown primer (Krylon, Valspar, Rustoleum, etc.) You could also use a darker brown, or a mix of the two.

Do not use Floquil's "Rail Brown." Yes, it looks good, but it's not UV stable. In very short order, you'll have olive green rails. Stick with the major brands that are designed for outdoor use.

Later,

K

[ttrigg]

Adding a bit to Kevin's comment. Krylon's "sub-brand" Fusion is for plastics, it will begin to flake from all metals. Have a tie that is not quite the correct color, use the Fusion.

[Handy Andy]

Thanks, Kstrong and Trigg. I'll probably go with Rustoleum since it's readily available.

  Any tips on technique?

 Thanks in advance. 

[ttrigg]

Tip #1 Remove all the oils. Oils from finger prints to oils left behind from the shaping machinery can cause blemishes in the painting finish. Alcohol wipes from the diabetic section of your local pharmacy are great at doing this. Also evaporates dry faster than anything else I've found.

Tip #2 Warm sunny day, outside.

 I run a rope from my pergola (patio cover) to the grape arbor, from that I hang what is to be painted by strings. Clean everything, have a glass of ice tea, then paint. Half hour later come back and rehang everything upside down and paint again. Hour later, pack everything up, job done.

[kstrong]

See my article in the current GR for a frame of sorts for stacking multiple lengths of rail for painting. Works pretty slick, and leaves the top of the rail clean (except for the rail that's on the top--unless you stack that one upside down.

Later,

K