Updated on 24 June 2026 · by Pepe, painter in Elche
The iron gates, railings and balustrades on Costa Blanca homes spend the whole year in the sun, wind and sea air. Over time the rust lifts the paint and, if it's left, it eats away at the metal. I'm Pepe, a painter in Elche, and in this guide I'll walk you through how I paint an iron fence so it lasts, whether you do it yourself or give me a call.
The trick isn't the paint: it's the prep. A badly sanded gate will have the paint lifting again in a couple of summers no matter how pricey the enamel.
1. Strip the rust and loose paint
The first job is getting rid of anything that isn't holding. With a wire brush and sandpaper (or an angle grinder with a flap disc if there's a lot), take off the loose rust and the old paint that's lifting. You don't need to get the metal like a mirror: it just needs to be firm, with no flakes or scale.
Where the rust is really pitted in, sand it back until it's even. Then wipe it down with a rag soaked in solvent or white spirit to lift the dust and grease: paint won't grip on a dirty or greasy surface.
2. Treat the rust and prime it
On the clean metal, apply a rust-inhibiting primer (red oxide or a multi-metal primer). It's the step most people skip and the one that really stops the rust coming back. If there are stubborn traces of rust you can't shift, rust converters neutralise it before you prime.
Give it one or two thin coats of primer and respect the drying time on the tin before you carry on.
3. Apply the exterior enamel
For the topcoat, use an exterior metal enamel (solvent-based or, better for smell and drying, water-based). They come in smooth and hammered (textured) finishes in different colours. Give it two thin coats with a brush in the corners, joints and bars, and a foam roller or spray gun on the wider surfaces. Two thin coats come up better and last longer than one thick one.
- Paint on a dry day out of strong direct sun (the enamel would dry too fast).
- Avoid dusty, windy days: it sticks to the wet enamel.
- Respect the recoat time the manufacturer sets out.
Should I do it myself or call a painter?
A small gate is a good weekend job. But if it's long, badly rusted or has lots of bars and shapes, the sanding drags on forever and it's easy to end up with rust patches that come back through. If you'd rather not battle with it, I'll do it: I treat the rust, prime and enamel, and leave your fence protected for years. You can see the fence and wall painting service below.
Want the exact price for your project?
I will come and see it with no obligation and give you a fixed quote, free and the same day. You deal directly with me, no middlemen.
FAQ
- Do I need to strip off every bit of rust?
- Not entirely: you need to take off the loose rust and scale and leave the metal firm. Well-stuck rust is levelled by sanding and dealt with using a rust-inhibiting primer or a rust converter.
- What's the best paint for an outdoor gate?
- A rust-inhibiting primer and, over the top, an exterior metal enamel (water-based or solvent-based). The rust primer is what stops the paint lifting again.
- How often do you need to repaint an iron gate?
- Well prepped and with a quality enamel, a gate lasts several years. In spots near the sea, like Arenales or Santa Pola, it's worth checking sooner because the salt air speeds up the rust.