Advice for Painting Painted Pipe Fences

Preparation

• Preparing a painted pipe fence is critical to an optimum paint surface and finished product. All areas with peeling paint need to be stripped down to a solid surface by sanding, sand blasting or using a wire brush. Pay extra attention to the corner where pipes connect, as these are often areas where paint peels due to water collection. Remove all debris, grass, weeds and tree branches from the area around the fence to prevent it from contacting the newly painted surface. Wipe down the entire surface to remove all dust and water before painting.

Rust Treatment

• Pipe fences are prone to rusting and need treating with a rust inhibitor to prevent from further damage. Phosphoric acid rust control agents found at hardware stores and home improvement retailers covert surface rust to phosphate, which stops the oxidation process. You can apply these rust agents to the rusted areas of the fence using a weed sprayer. Allow the areas to dry, and they are ready to paint and will prohibit the rust or further rust.

Primer

• Priming the fence is essential when stripping back to bare metal to achieve optimum paint bonding. It also allows you to change the color of the fence using less coats of the finishing color, which can save you money. Choose a primer designed for outdoor metal surfaces that seals the bare metal and helps prohibit rust growth. Apply a single coat evenly across the entire fence, especially near the ground and at pipe junctions.

Painting

• Painting a pipe fence can be a time-consuming and difficult project due to the round surfaces and many corners. A paint sprayer is the ideal painting solution, as it will allow you to evenly distribute the paint, reducing drips and runs. A sprayer allows you to cover the hard-to-reach areas quicker than a brush. Avoid painting on windy days as dust picked up from the wind will damage the newly painted surface and affect the spray pattern. When using a brush, apply light coats of paint at a time to avoid dripping and deep brush marks.