Rust on your railing isn’t just an aesthetic difficulty — left unattended, rust also damages the railing , making it less hardy. A small area of rust on an iron or steel railing might quickly become a large area of rust, therefore deal with issue as soon as you see it. The more ornate your railing, the more difficult it is to take out the rust and fix the damaged finish. The occupation isn’t complex, but it does require a little time and effort — thus set the day aside to finish the work.
Cover the area round the railing with drop cloths and tape off anything else you want to protect using painters tape. After you remove the rust, you do not have much time in which to apply a primer, so prepare for that part of the job in the beginning.
Sand off just as a lot of the rust as possible using abrasive tools. In case your railing is mostly smooth and unornamented, wire brushes, sanding sponges, steel wool or a small power sander should be suitable. If your railing is more ornate and has regions that are difficult to reach, you might also need sanding tape and sanding cable to access difficult spots.
Apply naval jelly to some residual rust using a paintbrush. Naval jelly comprises malic acid, which dissolves rust. Allow the product to sit down on the metal for 10 minutes or the length of time given by the producer, then wash it off with a rag. Rinse the railing by means of a hose with a spray attachment, then wash it down a second time with mineral spirits.
Check for persistent rust stains that you haven’t been able to eliminate. If you find any, apply a rust converter for them. This causes a chemical reaction that prevents the rust from spreading or performing additional damage. Rust converters frequently leave uneven surfaces on the metal, therefore after the length of time given by the producer, sand the area again to smooth it. Then wipe it with a tack cloth to remove any sanding dust.
Have a look at the regions on the railing where you removed rust. If the bare metal is pitted or corroded, apply a rust fix filler to the area. Allow the product to heal completely, then sand it down to leave a smooth surface.
Spray on an oil-based, rust-inhibiting primer as swiftly as possible after removing the rust. Use small paintbrushes to access areas you can not reach with the spray can. Allow the primer to dry. As it’s possible to choose simply to touch the broken regions, you are more likely to reach an even finish if you just prime and repaint the whole railing.
Apply a spray-on, oil-based, rust-inhibiting enamel to the railing. Use small paintbrushes to access difficult areas if necessary. Apply additional coats as needed.