When you walk into your house or office, it is quite rare that you will even think about your railings. They are functional, sturdy and even ornate, but you have probably seen them and relied on them every day without ever noticing any gradual deterioration in their condition. Old and rusty railings on garden walls, gates and balconies can give the impression that a home is uncared for. By removing the rust and old paint, replacing any elements of the railings that may be damaged or missing, and giving the railings a fresh coat of paint, you will enhance the perceived value of your property and its “kerb appeal”.
This project will probably take 3-4 days, or maybe two weekends, and you may wish to use the services of a recommended tradesman for some elements of the work.
Remove the Railings
The railings will have originally been attached to any supporting wall or post by lag screws, which you should be able to remove with a wrench, or embedded into concrete. If the latter, you will require a circular saw with a carbide tip blade. Be careful not to damage the mountings during the removal process, as these will be the supports when you replace the railings. If the base of your railings is badly damaged through corrosion (as often happens through road gritting or wear and tear) use a metal-cutting blade to slice off the support posts flush with the concrete. You may need professional help for this part of the project, so look for relevant rated tradesmen in our tradesmen’s directory if you feel this is necessary. Certainly two pairs of hands will be better than one!
By removing the railings, it makes the following processes a lot simpler as you will be able to manoeuvre the railings to gain easier access as you work. This project is a lot more manageable in a workshop or garage, and even laying the railings in a garden will make them easier to work with. If using a circular saw to remove the railings, please make sure you are familiar with its operation and that you wear protective goggles and clothing.
Removing Stains from the Surrounds
If the wall on which the railings were positioned have suffered over the years from rust staining, there are a couple of effective methods to clean them up. The first – and more environmentally friendly – is to squeeze a lemon onto the stain. Let it soak in for a minute or two (but not dry) and then scrub with a wire brush.
If you find this is not effective enough, you can use a wood restorer such as Net-trol, which works on both concrete and stone. However, because it is an acidic, make sure that you are completely protected from any splashback and that pets and children are out of the way when you use it. It is better to get this part of the process done early, as you will not want to stop to clean the surrounds when it comes to replace the railings.
Grind Away Old Rust and Paint
All of the rust and most of the paint will have to be removed down to the bare metal. In order to do this you will need an angle grinder with attachments such as a sanding wheel and wire brush. You will also need various grades of abrasive paper (sandpaper) to get a really smooth finish. There are going to be metal flakes flying all over the place, so it is better to do this part of the job in a confined area which can be swept clean when you have finished and , of course, make sure that you wear protective safety equipment.
This part of the project is one for the patient – again one that you may wish to employ the services of a recommended tradesman for – as it is essential that all the rust is removed before proceeding with the next stage to prevent it resurfacing sooner rather than later.
Coat with Owatrol Oil
As an additional protection against future rusting, once the railings are down to the bare metal (any non-flaking paint can also be left in place) it is best to treat them with Owatrol Oil. Owatrol is a rust remover and metal treatment which penetrates the metal and expels any moisture, inhibiting future rusting. It forms a semi-permanent barrier against future moisture penetrating the layer of paint you will be applying next, and also aids with the application of the paint – helping it to flow better and leave a more even finish.
Owatrol Oil (or any similar rust inhibitor) costs about £15.00 for 500ml, which should be enough for the majority of domestic railing restoration projects. It is applied directly from the can using a paintbrush, and then allow several hours for the chemical reaction to take place before applying any paint.
Painting the Railings
It is recommended that you apply two coats of a quality metal paint such as Hammerite to the railings before replacing them. They can be painted in situ; however you should ensure that the surrounding area is covered with a dustsheet or some old newspaper. You do not want black metal paint dripping onto your pristinely cleaned wall!
Allow time for the first coat to dry before applying the second, and once painted, the railings should be left in an area with good ventilation to allow the fumes to disperse. The Hammerite smooth black paint costs around £8.00 per litre by the pot and an aerosol version is also available at around £8.00 per 400ml.
Replace the Railings
Replacing the railings is a fairly straightforward job. You will either be fitting them into the wall or supporting posts via the lag screws or setting them into the concrete with a covering of strong grout. If you removed your railings by sawing through the metal at the base, you should use corrosion-resistant masonry screws to fix the anchors into the concrete (Please check before sawing through the base of your railings that your local DIY store has these in stock!). The screws should be at least 2 inches long to offer complete support, however will make the railings easier to remove should you ever wish to take on this project again!
As with removing the railings initially, a second pair of experienced hands may come in very handy at this stage, so seek counsel from one of the recommended tradesmen in our tradesmen´s directory just before you complete the job. With the effort you will have invested in this project, there is no benefit to trying to do it all yourself or saving a few pounds by using second grade materials. Your railings have been part of your home décor for possibly fifty years or more and, by following the stages listed above, can last another fifty years at least!
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According to research conducted by Saga Personal Finance, more than a third of UK homeowners over 50 say that their homes are in need of repair, and an alarming one in seven state that they cannot afford to fix their problems.
