| Rust on metal railings is caused by a number | | | | paint.Thankfully, there are now non-toxic, |
| of conditions. Most common is wear and tear | | | | latex-based products that allow you to stop |
| on the paint protecting the metal from | | | | the rust without the time and expense of |
| rusting. As paint ages and dries out, it | | | | grinding off rust and paint. These can be |
| cracks, letting moisture attack the metal to | | | | painted over the rusty surface to neutralize |
| start the rusting process. Scratches and | | | | the rust and prime the entire surface. A good |
| nicks in the paint will create the same | | | | topcoat of paint will restore the railing to |
| situation. Metal rusts anytime it is not | | | | a new condition and give long-term protection |
| protected from moisture.When railings are | | | | against rust.The easiest way to apply these |
| constructed, the metal components are ground | | | | products is to use a paint mitt (available in |
| or brushed to remove rust, welded together | | | | paint stores) to spread them over the metal. |
| and then painted. If there is a delay in the | | | | This is much faster than using a paintbrush. |
| final painting, the bare metal may begin to | | | | When finished treating the surface, wash the |
| rust. The rust is not visible and is hidden | | | | mitt with soap and water to clean it for |
| in the pores of the metal. The metal is then | | | | reuse.The surface will be dry in 20 to 30 |
| painted. After the railing is installed, it | | | | minutes. After 24 hours you can top coat with |
| may start showing rust through the paint, | | | | any kind of paint. As long as the topcoat is |
| eventually forcing off chips of paint. This | | | | maintained and not allowed to crack and |
| could happen within a few months of being | | | | breakdown, you will not have to deal with |
| installed.To stop the rust and restore the | | | | rust on your railing again!Rodger Busse owns |
| railing to a new rust free condition, the | | | | The Rust Doctor. This one-step non-toxic |
| rust must be stopped or completely removed. | | | | solution allows you to convet and paint over |
| In the past, this required removing the rust | | | | rusty metal in one easy step. Visit The Rust |
| and paint, then priming and repainting the | | | | Doctor at It can be used on cars, trucks, |
| surface. This is a very time consuming and | | | | boats, motorcycles, farm equipment, and |
| expensive process because of the many hours | | | | household items. |
| required to grind off the rust and | | | | |