7 Tips For Painting Your Metal Fence in Voorhees, NJ

7 Tips For Painting Your Metal Fence in Voorhees, NJ

Painting a metal fence can be an easy job but doing an excellent job is a different story.

There is a huge difference between the work of a layman and a professional, but it’s not that complicated

Aside from the skills professionals have, proper knowledge regarding painting your metal fence can greatly enhance the project’s outcome.

Here are the 7 tips for painting your metal fence in Voorhees, NJ

1. Calculate The Paint Needed

To save time and effort, calculate how much paint you need beforehand to avoid buying too much or too little.

You don’t want to stop in the middle of the job just to drive to the market and buy more.

A simple calculation of paint needed is equivalent to the length of the fence then total multiplied by two.

Divide the total area of the fence depending on how much your preferred paint can cover an area.

It would be better to buy just a little more than how much you calculated to avoid suspension.

2. Protect Everything Around

Ensure that everything that you don’t want to be painted is covered or transferred somewhere the paint won’t splatter.

Additionally, drape some drop cloth, tarp, or newspaper on the ground where you’re going to paint the fence.

The same goes with exterior designs, fountains, or hanging lights nearby as cleaning is harder than the whole project.

3. Proper Preparation

Before you proceed with painting your metal fence, brush off all the present rust, dirt, and dried paint.

A steel brush can help you scrape off any paint residue sitting on the surface of the metal fence.

After doing so, sand the area using 120 grit sanding paper to completely make it free from stubborn rust.

When you’re done sanding the metal fence, brush off any dust and rust using a paintbrush.

4. Treat The Rust

If you’re repainting old metal fences, it’s better to treat rust first before proceeding to priming and painting.

You have plenty of options to choose from when treating your metal, like rust stain remover or home remedies.

Rust stain removers are available in the market, but you can also use lime juice and baking soda.

Let the rust stain remover sit on the surface for two hours and remember to wipe off any excess.

5. Apply Metal Primer

No metal primer is required when painting new or lightly rusted steel or wrought iron.

Priming is a crucial step when painting your metal iron fence as it helps with the adhesion of paint.

Additionally, metal primers contain rust-inhibiting components that help prevent your metal fence from rusting and deteriorating.

Never use water-based primers since your fence is exposed to excessive sunlight and extreme weather which fades the primer.

6. Apply Topcoat

If you’re painting a newly installed, bare metal fence, a topcoat is sufficient to help in the paint’s adherence.

Topcoats also serve as a layer of protection against external agents that wear down any painted areas.

When applying primers, topcoats, or paint, it’s better to use a roller and a brush than spray paint.

7. Sand between coats

If you want to get the most protection out of painting your metal fence, coating twice does an excellent job.

And in between priming, topcoats, and painting twice, it’s better to sand the surface each time they dry up.

Doing so will remove any foreign object present in that coat and the next coat can patch it up.

Depending on the temperature and the weather, the first coat becomes touch-dry in six to eight hours.

However, waiting for it to completely dry for sixteen hours is better before sanding with 120-grit sandpaper.

If you’re looking for a trusted and reliable residential painter in Moorestown, Mt Laurel, Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, Voorhees, Evesham, Medford, Tabernacle, Shamong, and the surrounding areas, we can help.

Call us on 609.953.0944 for a FREE, no-obligation estimate.

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