Painting a metal fence or gate
Below, you will find a step-by-step explanation of how to paint a fence or gate that is made out of metal. Is your fence made out of wood? Then check our how-to guide on how to stain a wooden fence.
Step 1: Preparation
- Remove rust and/or damages
- Clean the fence thoroughly
Inspect the fence to see if there's a lot of rust or other damage, for example. Then treat it - if necessary - with a rust converter or rust-preventing primer. If the fence has been painted before and you see any flaking paint, remove that too. If the paint comes off easily, you can just peel it off. If it's more of a challenge, there's always paint remover to do the job.
Next, clean and degrease the surface thoroughly to make sure the paint will adhere well.
Step 2: Applying primer for metal fences
- Skip if you're working with a one-pot system
- Or 2 to 3 coats of adhesion primer
- Use a brush and/or roller
You only need this step if you want to work with a special adhesion primer or multi primer, combined with an adapted topcoat. If you use a one-pot system, e.g. Trimetal Steloxine Decor Satin or Brillant, or Hammerite Ultima, you can skip this part and jump straight to the last step.
Adhesion primers are specifically designed for metal (or other surfaces to which paint can't adhere easily, such as PVC). So the name says it all: it helps to improve the adhesion of the lacquer. It also helps ensure a smoother end result.
Apply two to three coats of primer using a brush and/or roller. That may seem like a lot, but it's important to follow this recommendation in order to achieve sufficient outdoor rust protection. Again, it's certainly not a bad idea to check the technical specifications of the product you're using, or ask for advice.
Step 3: Painting your metal fence or gate
- Apply your one-pot system
- Or top off with 1 coat of outdoor lacquer
- Again use a brush and/or roller
Now it's time to top off your coat of multi-primer with an appropriate lacquer for metal. Or, if you chose a one-pot system, you can start painting now 😊
For best results, apply several thin layers of paint with your one-pot system, letting each layer dry completely before applying the next. If you're working with a regular lacquer on top of an adhesion primer, applying one more layer will suffice.
Choose a paint that's suitable for outdoors to ensure durable results and optimal resistance to weathering.
Get started with the right material
We've talked about adhesion primers, outdoor laquers and one-pot systems. Below you can find our recommended products.
Adhesion primer
Multi-purpose solvent-based primer with anti-corrosion function for interior and exterior use.
Multi-purpose solvent-based primer with anti-corrosion function for interior and exterior use.
Outdoor lacquer
Soft-satin, scratch-resistant and wear-resistant solvent-based paint for indoor and outdoor use based on polyurethane alkyd with “White Shield Technology”.
Soft-satin, scratch-resistant and wear-resistant solvent-based paint for indoor and outdoor use based on polyurethane alkyd with “White Shield Technology”.
High-gloss, scratch-resistant and durable solvent-based paint for indoor and outdoor use based on polyurethane alkyd.
High-gloss, scratch-resistant and durable solvent-based paint for indoor and outdoor use based on polyurethane alkyd.
Satin-gloss, scratch-resistant and durable solvent-based varnish for indoor and outdoor use based on polyurethane-alkyd with "White Shield Technology".
Satin-gloss, scratch-resistant and durable solvent-based varnish for indoor and outdoor use based on polyurethane-alkyd with "White Shield Technology".
One-pot system
High-quality semi-gloss metal paint. Suitable for indoor and outdoor applications, it provides durable protection and a decorative semi-gloss finish for metal surfaces.
High-quality semi-gloss metal paint. Suitable for indoor and outdoor applications, it provides durable protection and a decorative semi-gloss finish for metal surfaces.
Premium protective metal paint, this high-quality metal paint can be painted without primer or primer on all metals rusted or unpainted with long-lasting protection for up to 12 years.
Premium protective metal paint, this high-quality metal paint can be painted without primer or primer on all metals rusted or unpainted with long-lasting protection for up to 12 years.
Steloxine Decor is an anti-corrosive paint suitable for ferrometals, trusses, railing, and metal constructions.
Steloxine Decor is an anti-corrosive paint suitable for ferrometals, trusses, railing, and metal constructions.
High-gloss acrylic paint for interior and exterior surfaces. It offers a durable finish with excellent coverage and weather resistance.
High-gloss acrylic paint for interior and exterior surfaces. It offers a durable finish with excellent coverage and weather resistance.
Useful tools
Product to transform rust to a solid surface for further finishing with Hammerite Metallic paints and other most common paints.
Product to transform rust to a solid surface for further finishing with Hammerite Metallic paints and other most common paints.
Product to remove rust from metal surfaces and return it to its original condition.
Product to remove rust from metal surfaces and return it to its original condition.
Ready to start painting?
In this video by Hammerite, you can see how a metal fence or gate is painted.
