Painting metal gate and fence

[Isan Farang]

Previously I had my gates and fence painted using Jotun Gardex enamel and the finish has now faded to almost zero.

I am just checking if any of the members here has used a two pack epoxy paint to perform the same job. When I was working offshore in the Middle East the painter on the rig told me enamel paint will never hold out in direct sunlight and the color will fade. The hand rails on the rig were painted with two pack and the direct sun had no effect.

[IMHO]

Not a fence, but I have some outdoor posts for badminton lights that I had nothing but trouble keeping paint on, until I painted them with Rust-oleum Hammered paint - 4.5 years on, and they still look like I painted them yesterday. Colors are limited though, and it might not be the type of finish you're after - but it's durable and stays clean.

[Isan Farang]

Not a fence, but I have some outdoor posts for badminton lights that I had nothing but trouble keeping paint on, until I painted them with Rust-oleum Hammered paint - 4.5 years on, and they still look like I painted them yesterday. Colors are limited though, and it might not be the type of finish you're after - but it's durable and stays clean.

I thought there would be a slim chance that someone has went with the two pack deal.

This is quite a big job as there are 20 sections and 2 gates

[Srikcir]

Two colors in fence:

Rust-Oleum Crystal Clear Enamel Gloss Protective Enamel Spray Paint ?

or Rust-Oleum Automotive gloss clear enamel spray paint?

[Gulfsailor]

Epoxy is not UV resistant, but polyurethane is. That's the stuff they put on oil rigs and container ships. The best is to use an epoxy primer (eg Jotun Penguard) and then 2 polyurethane topcoats (eg Jotun Hardtop). Cost wise about 5x - 10x the cost of enamel paint. So for a fence it would make sense, as it will last 10 years easily, but for walls which are faster to paint it is far cheaper to just use cheap wall paint and redo it after a couple of years.

[GavinK]

OP, are you sure your painters didn't dilute the paint down with water ? For info I used black TOA enamel paint on metal gates 9 years ago and there is still no sign of fade.

[Isan Farang]

OP, are you sure your painters didn't dilute the paint down with water ? For info I used black TOA enamel paint on metal gates 9 years ago and there is still no sign of fade.

I can confirm my painter did not add thinner to the Gardex enamel. After being stirred its in good shape to apply straight from the can

The job was done on 2009

For my painting jobs I purchase all the material and pay for the labor only. I have viewed some work done on cement exterior finish when the house owner has been given an all in cost and the paint has issues within 1 year.

[bankruatsteve]

Just FYI: my fence is a bit like yours. We painted about 4 years ago with primer, then 2-3 coats of black enamel (forget brand - maybe Jotun) and still looks great. Maybe just needs another coat?

[topt]

OP, are you sure your painters didn't dilute the paint down with water ? For info I used black TOA enamel paint on metal gates 9 years ago and there is still no sign of fade.

I can confirm my painter did not add thinner to the Gardex enamel. After being stirred its in good shape to apply straight from the can

The job was done on 2009

For my painting jobs I purchase all the material and pay for the labor only. I have viewed some work done on cement exterior finish when the house owner has been given an all in cost and the paint has issues within 1 year.

Can I ask how long you expected it to last? (or what they said on the tin ) 6 years seems reasonable to me if exposed to direct sunlight here.