Paint is one of the most important investments when it comes to home repairs. It can transform your porch, garage door, or even just a scrap piece of wood into something new.
Not all paints are created equal. Some will peel off in the sun and need constant touch-ups. Others may fade over time.
Choosing the right type of paint for your railings not only makes them more durable but also improves curb appeal and security.
In this article, we will discuss Best Paint for Porch Railings so that your porch can look like a million bucks.
Krylon K02732007
Rust-Oleum 245196
Majic Paints 8-9401-2
Our Top 5 Paint for Porch Railings
When buying the best deck paint, you are going to need to think about the type of weather your deck will be exposed to, how it is used, and how damaged it is. The answers you provide determine the type of color of paint or color.
Our meticulous selection of products will save you the hassle of choosing from a large selection and find the right paint to fit your needs.
1. Krylon K02732007
Krylon provides an array of high-quality products. Krylon K02732007 is no exception to the norm. It is the one to choose for porch railings.
Consumers have trusted the Krylon K02732007 Paint for Porch Railings since 1950, so let’s keep it that way.
It can bond to challenging exteriors without sandblasting or applying primer. It is dry to the touch in 20 minutes or less and ready for handling in one hour (depending on the climate and thickness of application).
It can also be used on plastics and more. Whether your project requires exterior paint or interior paint, this matte black spray deck paint extends the peak oxidation shield.
Black is a classic colour that should be kept on hand with DIY supplies and a craft or tool kit.
Matte finish colour spray wood deck paint can also soften and add a unique feel to any project.
It also features a big button spray tip just like on your clothes so that you can reach up high with this washable wooden deck paint colour primer and sealant technology.
A 12 oz aerosol can of Krylon Fusion All-in-one lasts more than twice as long as any standard 10oz traditional finish (depending on coverage).
One coat goes a long way on wood surfaces creating incredible colour depth, durability and rust protection.
Let your imagination run wild with this easy to use all-in-one paint.
Highlighted Features:
- Sandblasting or priming is no longer a prerequisite.
- Dry to the touch in 20 minutes or less, ready for handling in an hour (depending on climate and thickness of application).
- It can be used on plastics.
- Includes a big button spray tip to reach up high with this washable best deck paint colour primer and sealant technology.
- One coat goes a long way.
2. Rust-Oleum 245196
Looking for an economical solution to give your porch railings a new, shiny sheen?
Look no further because Rust-Oleum 245196 All Surface Spray deck Paint is here to the rescue.
The Rust-Oleum 245196 Universal All Surface Spray Paint, 12 oz, Gloss Black is perfect for porch railings trying to either paint something new or go back to the original finish.
This oil based deck paint product should be at the top of your list for those wanting a turnkey solution to their rust railing dilemma.
Its’ oil based paint formula offers excellent adhesion properties to help keep other elements off your porch. It also offers unparalleled protection from oxidation and erosion.
Oil-based spray deck paints are tough on dirt, which means an easy job cleaning up any messes you make while doing the base coat and colours overtop by simply wiping them away with a damp cloth.
Therefore, we recommend spending an extra few minutes cleaning up any spills in that area.
The Rust-Oleum Universal, All Surface Spray base deck paint in black will come in handy for painting your porch railings in about 30 minutes after you’ve finished mixing the deck paint inside the can.
An easy-to-grasp delivery system will help reduce muscle fatigue while allowing you to spray almost anything upside down with ease.
Highlighted Features:
- Easy to use & adheres well.
- Ends oxidation and erosion.
- It covers up dirt quickly.
- Painting takes about 30 minutes for the application to railings.
- An easy-to-grasp delivery system reduces muscle fatigue.
3. Majic Paints 8-9401-2
Majic Diamond Hard RePurpose paint, unlike chalk paints that only work on wood, can be used on any facade and is thus far more versatile.
Diamond Hard Acrylic Enamel has a long-lasting, sturdy finish that will not fade or chip for years on almost any internal or external veneer of this water based deck paint.
This is a water-based deck paint that has many advantages over traditional oil based paints in most cases.
Majic Paint’s products are formulated to give painting enthusiasts professional colour retention and durability when applied properly to your valued surfaces.
As these products are not primers, we recommend using the same formula Majic Paint product over the issue you’re trying to cover.
For example: If you’re covering a dark red, which is too intense, consider using one of Majic’s lighter colours, such as Salmon or Parchment; lighter tones help balance darker tones and allow for better colour blending.
In addition to painting over your prior colour, Majic Paint paints can be used on various surfaces such as metal, aluminium, brick, concrete, glass, masonry and pipe.
Paint normally has a matte finish, but this is not the case with Chalkboard paints. Instead, they are specially formulated to create an ultra-smooth surface that gives a shiny finish.
If you want to change the colour of your furniture from black or white, consider using Repurpose paint as it will not require any priming or sanding before application.
Paint sometimes needs a second coat. However, majic products are formulated to work perfectly with each other, so there is no need for a second coat as you’d have to apply the product over.
With Majic, a little goes a long way, and the results are well worth it.
Highlighted Features:
- Diamond painting is a high-quality satin coating that can be repurposed.
- Diamond Hard RePurpose paint, unlike chalk paints that only work on wood, can be used on any facade and is thus far more versatile.
- Diamond Hard Acrylic Enamel has a long-lasting, sturdy finish that will not fade or chip for years on almost any internal or external veneer.
- Majic Paint provides professional colour retention and durability for painting enthusiasts.
4. Rust-Oleum 7777502 Protective Enamel
Rust-Oleum is the winner of all paint markets, even with its tough competition from Krylon and Benjamin Moore.
One reason is a rust preventative, which is important if you live in a coastal area where corrosion often happens on metal rails, wood posts and concrete slabs.
So whether you have just moved into your first home or started that start-up business, Rust-Oleum has something to help stop your post from peeling paint damage due to salt air misting.
Another reason for its success is keeping a low sheen look without losing durability. So if you want a nice rustic look while still getting maximum coverage, this product is for you.
While it comes in satin, semi-gloss and high gloss, there are also several nature colour palettes to choose from.
So whether you want the traditional red barn look or something more modern like yellow, Rust-Oleum has got you covered.
It comes in different colours, but it is also available in 3 different sizes; aerosol, brush or spray.
Whether you want to paint your old porch railings, new patio furniture or start up a small business with name-brand recognition means customers know they are always getting top quality at a great price.
That’s why Rust-Oleum has been the winner of many awards, including best spray paint brand by Good Housekeeping and best paint for wood fence posts, according to Money Magazine.
With trusted durability like Stops rust, chip resistance like Stops rusts 2X ultra cover, versatile finishes like Stops rust satin enamel and the best colour palette, you cannot go wrong with Rust-Oleum.
Highlighted Features
- High-quality paint for railing, fence posts and other outdoor surfaces
- Easy to maintain with a low sheen finish
- Huge range of colours, including high gloss, semi-gloss and satin finishes
- 3 different size options available for purchase
5. KILZ Interior/Exterior Enamel
Usually, the first thing most people notice about a house is its porch. No porch railings in fear of applying appropriate paints?
Time to invest in some paint; KILZ Porch and Patio Floor Paint specifically designed for that job have been quality tested for 40 years, including beating out all national competitors at customer service, versatility and durability.
This exterior paint offers 4 shades of grey appropriate on any outdoor surface or other unpainted material after the first coat.
KILZ Porch and Patio Floor Paint is available in 1 gallon; each can cover 200-300 square feet, meaning it’s perfect even if you’re almost done painting your whole interior but needed to redo your porch rails because the previous homeowner left them unfinished or forgot his last detail.
KILZ exterior paint is formulated for smooth surfaces like decks, patios, floors and siding.
It’s also perfect for rough surfaces like railings. Just make sure the surface is clean and dry, then apply with a roller cover or brush.
Finally, it needs 4-6 hours to dry before you can walk on it, but you can always call ahead of time to ensure that your local hardware store has KILZ exterior paint in stock or ask if they can special order it for you.
KILZ Porch and Patio Floor Paint are made in the USA with 100% acrylic latex paint to protect your outdoor deck, porch or patio surfaces from declining, splitting and uncovering in all kinds of weather conditions.
It also provides mildew resistance to prevent mould and mildew from appearing on the surface of the paint.
KILZ Porch Paint has a low lustre enamel finish that is 100% acrylic and specifically designed for porches and patios to resist fading, peeling, cracking and mildew in Silver Gray.
Highlighted Features
- The low lustre enamel finish is specifically designed for porch rails of patios to resist fading, peeling, cracking and mildew.
- It has 4 shades of grey appropriate on any outdoor space or other unpainted material after the first coat.
- Each can cover 200-300 square feet.
- It can be applied with a roller cover or brush.
- It dries for 4 to 6 hours before walking on it.
Factors to Consider:
Temperature
Use caution against painting wood under a temperature greater than 70 F and it can cause blisters.
Paints that apply white powder paint or white chalk may be safe to use throughout the week; as white is generally reflected during daylight.
Using colored paint the best procedure is to follow the sun around the deck boards.
Lasting Color
A dark and light color needs more pigment to bring out its color. More pigmentation can decrease the effectiveness of the main ingredients since it is more diluted.
The position of the roof is also important when deciding the colors available.
Humidity
In a hot environment, water cannot evaporate, so it appears the solvents will evaporate first so that the paint can re-cure while there is still water in the process. The use of oil paint can also fail if the air is too humid.
When the water is depleted, the color shrinks to almost perfect. Paint reacts chemically into a soft substance and cannot be repaired.
Thus, excessive humidity can damage the paint.
Durability
Higher quality paints are also thinner, meaning that a gallon of Good paint can fit more square feet than best paint but the best paint will leave a thicker, more durable coating on the deck’s surface. Also, you can look for anti slip paint for added benefit.
Dry Time
The oil-based deck color takes longer to dry than the water-based option. The acrylic paints dry more slowly, some in as little as 1 hour or less. Temperatures below 50 degrees will increase the slowing of paint drying.
In temperatures above 80 degrees, especially on a sunny dry day, paint could dry too soon. It means the underlying ingredients do not adhere as effectively as they should and thus reducing the quality and endurance of the paint.
Oil vs. Water Based Paints
In order to improve surface protection oils and paint products can be applied over extended periods. Using lighter colors is easy.
The paint thinner coats are more resistant. Water based paints are easier for application than oil bases. It all depends on the railings that you want for them. Once you pass a decision you can work accordingly.
Corrosion & Rust Resistant
Occasionally the railing is damaged. However, corrosion can permanently affect the railing. It is best for your paints to resist rust and corrosion. By doing that you can maintain a protective coating of rails at any time.
Cost
The standard is to buy only the most suitable color because it lasts longer. Manufacturers often have three types of paints: Good, Better, and Best.
Products on the best line may be twice as expensive as the good line but the material will last longer.
Additional Tips:
Never Paint Decayed or Rotting Wood
Prolonged drying of wood can cause it to become dehydrated. When the wood is soft and spongy it is degraded until it will last only until it is painted out and replaced.
Even in a relatively weak surface area decay could be found. The remaining wood could be stabilized with consolidation and the missing wood replaced by a waterproof surface.
Pre-painting Preparation
If you have deck stain, wipe it off with hygienic soap. If the railings are dirty, remove as much of any dirt as possible otherwise the paint will not adhere due to deck stain. Sand uneven spots on fine sandpaper.
Cover the area underneath and around railings with the drop cloth or newspaper and tap down the edges of the paper to ensure it doesn’t fall over.
Paint Porch railings before Fall
Fall is a good time to paint exterior trim in early fall. In spring they are typically off-and-and-in rain and your exposed railings and trim will likely be damp inside even if dry to touch, and that moisture can cause paint to fade.
Type of Wood
Most exterior decks contain treated wood. This wood is usually yellow pine or Douglas fir and heated by the pressure of alkaline copper quaternary.
Store Paint for Future
Saving space by storing loose paint in the mason jars for future touch-ups. Get your paintbrush and primer off before applying paint to paints.
Easy Way to Paint Railings
Tools that facilitate the spindle paint process include a 1-inch-wide paintbrush, a painting mitt and a miniature paint roller. Paint horizontal spindles first so you can still grip your handrail during your work.
Avoid debris from Lead-Based Paint
Check for lead-based paint after cleaning any surface of old homes for removing a previous paint job. Use a certified lead-based paint inspector. Lead is dangerous, carcinogenic and can cause brain damage in children if young children are exposed to higher levels.
FAQs:
How Long Does Deck Paint Last?
Deck paint should be regularly inspected but how long the paint lasts depends on a number of factors. Deck coating can last a decade to five years but needs replacing as many times as two or three times in harsh conditions.
Do I Need Waterproof Paint for the Porch Railing?
In some cases, water will come in contact with the porch railing. For this reason, waterproof paint is recommended for the porch railings.
Do I Need to Use a Primer?
No, you don’t need a primer for the porch railings.
Do Deck Paints Work on Porches?
Porch railings are not the same as deck railing so it’s important to know if deck paints will work on your porch railing. Usually, porch railings are more exposed to the elements than a pool deck because they are on the outside of your home.
Conclusion
If you have a front porch railing, it’s important to know what type of paint is best suited for the job. The last thing you want is your railings looking like they’re ten years old after only one season.
A good Paint for Porch Railings offers enough protection against weather and water damage while still providing an elegant look that will complement any home’s architecture.
We hope this blog post has given you some helpful information about the best paint to use for porch railings.