Metal driveway gates can be a beautiful addition to your home, but can deter from the look of your house if the paint starts peeling or flaking. Rust can also cause problems. Fortunately, you can keep your gates looking new or even update them with a new color using some simple tools, planning and a little time.

Step 1 – Choose the Right Weather

You’ll want to choose a time when no rain is forecast for at least a few days before you start repainting your metal driveway gates.

Step 2– Remove Old Paint and Rust

You will want to remove any caked on dirt or mud before trying to refinish your gate.

Use an electric sander and/or a wire brush to remove old paint. An emery cloth can remove light rust, or you can use the wire brush or sander for thicker patches of rust. You may not be able to remove every speck of paint, so just be sure that the surface is smooth.

Step 3 – Prevent Rust

Once the surface is as smooth as you can get it, use a tack cloth to remove any clinging dust. Then use a rust neutraliser to keep any rust patches from growing larger or pushing through your new paint.

Step 4 – Prime the Metal Driveway Gates

Use the metal primer to coat the gates two or three times. Allow each coat to dry before applying the next. With primer and paint you can use a roller, brushes or a sprayer or a combination of the three. Spraying allows for quick coating, but brushes may be necessary to thoroughly fill in crevices.

Step 5 – Paint Apply your choice of paint to the gate.

The best paint for use on a wrought iron gate is a high gloss alkyd. While you can use a sprayer, you’ll waste less paint while achieving a thicker coat by using a roller for most of the gate. Use a brush to get in tiny areas of your metal driveway gates.

Everything you need is available at your local Expert Hardware store!

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