Has anybody ever painted chain link fence posts?

[Backyard Imports]

I have a 4’ chain link fence around my front yard. The post are all set into a concrete strip footing and not easy to change out. I am wanting to remove the current chain link fabric, paint the existing galvanized posts black, and then install new, black chain link fabric with new, black hardware. I am thinking about using Por15 to do the job.

Has anybody done anything like this, specifically? If so, what product did you use and how far did you go in your prep of the metal? How has it held up over time?

Mind you, there is 600lf of fencing to deal with and the posts are every 8’. I am not really wanting to wire wheel everything bare but even that would be easier and cheaper than cutting the concrete, pulling the current posts, buying and setting the new posts and then redoing the concrete.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I had to get bids to paint the chain link fence around a football field. Most of the painting contractors said it wouldn't be durable, that I should consider new fence. They were wrong. There are paints made specifically for galvy fence. IIRC, Rustoleum makes one.

Tommy

 

[Backyard Imports]

I had to get bids to paint the chain link fence around a football field. Most of the painting contractors said it wouldn't be durable, that I should consider new fence. They were wrong. There are paints made specifically for galvy fence. IIRC, Rustoleum makes one.

Tommy

Did you actually paint the fabric as well?

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Did you actually paint the fabric as well?

Yes. It was time consuming and a little messy. They used rollers and they really laid it on thick, but you could definitely be neater than they were. IDK if you can spray it on.

Tommy

 

[nadogail]

I have found that using a mitten to be an efficient way to paint posts and rails.

 

[yeldogt]

FYI -- you can paint Chain Link fencing. I had a property done years ago -- previous owner did a fenced in section for a dog.

Painted it grass green to make it go away. They sprayed the post and rails and rolled the link --- no fabric on mine. Was a RO product

 

[brownbagg]

yes, no prep just paint, did not even wipe the dirt off, just paint, I used a wagner airless the cheap one, but rattle can be just as good. Its a fence ten minute later you never look at it again

 

[bottom feeder]

As a teen I worked at a golf course that erected a new stretch of chain link fence using salvaged (rusty) fabric. They must have not liked the look of it, as my coworkers and I were dispatched to paint it using regular paint rollers. This was in the 1980s so I don't remember what kind of paint. Probably whatever was cheap.

 

[Walkers]

Just be sure to use paint for galvanized, or galvanized primer then paint.

 

[Backyard Imports]

Thanks for all of the info. I will let you know how it turns out.

 

[The Cobbler]

Just be sure to use paint for galvanized, or galvanized primer then paint.

for aged galvanizing it isin't as critical

 

[rancherbill]

Done in correctly it comes off. The city here has a huge problem with paint coming off the posts, they did not buy vinyl coated posts.

Talk to a paint guy there is a primer for galvanized surfaces and then you can put on any suitable paint.

 

[Coasterbuilder]

The key is to "pickle" the surface with a weak acid- like vinegar or diluted Muriatic Acid. Clean your posts well with a degreasing agent, "pickle" with the weak acid, and coat with a galvanized specific non alkyd adhesive primer. Finish coat with a compatible paint. Your local pro paint supply can set you up easily. the key is the "pickling"

 

[MarvinBerry]

Every so often I'll finish off a rattle can of black by spraying the fence posts.

No fabric here & the fence itself is ok but the posts wear & turn a grayish white.

Matte black... gloss black... whatever it's all black & looks better. Obviously I've put zero thought or effort into prep work or anything lol

 

[Renegade1LI]

Almost every site rehab on a nyc school we do the part of the project is to paint all the posts with chain link. We sub it out and the painter sprays most with some hand touch up, seems to hold up well and looks good.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Assuming the galvanized posts have been in place for a while, specialized primer and/or pickling shouldn't be necessary.

 

[KJ in VT]

The "link" is the "fabric".

 

[metlmunchr]

I've got a 12ft gate and some chain link fabric that runs from a corner of the house to the detached garage to enclose the back yard. Everything is late 70's vintage and was getting a bit "weathered" looking. (Understatement).

About 7-8 yrs ago I painted it black. Hit it with the pressure washer the day before painting. Used a matte finish acrylic latex exterior house paint. Brushed the posts, rails, and gate frames, and rolled the fabric with a fairly long nap roller, but kept the roller fairly dry. The paint has held up very well and still looks about the same as it did when new.

i did brush the bottom 3-4 inches of the fabric so I didn't get the roller on the ground. Used a short extension pole on the roller to avoid doing the rolling in the hunchback position. Overall, it was well worth the effort as compared to replacement. FWIW, I've not been impressed with the longevity of vinyl coated fence fabric. Seems like UV deteriorates the vinyl over a few years, and then the underlying steel rusts at warp speed.

 

[rburke65]

Like any job, the results are always a product of the preparation

 

[Monza Harry]

Striped the wire and painted the poles with a light grey enamel [possibly Tremclad] paint so any loss of paint wouldn't scream for attention also didn't want it too dark for visibility poles were at least 20 years old at that time, (2001). It's ready now for a re-do. It looked pretty good for about 8-10 years and acceptable until now, spring job now. Harry