Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - repainting white railing that is grey looking.

My front porch has railing all around it and as well down the stairs. It has been painted white over the years and it is very very dirty looking, almost grey.

How to I begin to repaint it..Do I prime it and repaint it, or do I strip it and repaint it. If so, how do I get the paint of the spindles..

It is fairly basic, just railing with spindles but there are many spindles. I just finished landscaping the front of the house so the porch is even more of an eyesore now.

Any advise will will greatly appreciated!:wall:

Welcome to the forums!

The first thing you need to do is wash them with a bleach/water solution. IMO the easiest way is to mix bleach 50/50 with water in a pump up garden sprayer, let it set but not dry and then rinse off with a garden hose. If you don't have a pump up sprayer you could use an old brush to apply the cleaner.

If the paint turns back to white - your ready to paint as soon as it dries. If the paint still looks grey, you probably have tannin bleed which would need an oil base primer to seal it - otherise it might bleed thru the new paint.

Not sure what IMO means but I'm guessing you mean 50/50 javex and water. I have a brush I can use.

I can test it on the front part as that is the dirtiest. If it doesn't come clean, and I use the oil based primer, how soon after may I paint.

Also, what primer and paint would you recommend.

Thanks again for your help

Not sure what IMO means but I'm guessing you mean 50/50 javex and water. I have a brush I can use.

I can test it on the front part as that is the dirtiest. If it doesn't come clean, and I use the oil based primer, how soon after may I paint.

Also, what primer and paint would you recommend.

Thanks again for your help

IMO = in my opinion.

I don't know what javex is but 50/50 bleach water is what is recommended.Generally any oil primer would not need more than a day and most only a few hours before being painted over however the can instructions will give you the exact info as it does vary from product to product.

As for specific products,any well known quality national brand will have products for this job.they will range from low end to high end and some with inbetween.Go for at least mid level quality and you should have good results.This goes for primer and paint.

Price is often a good determinate of quality.Buy your products where there is knowledgeable saleshelp and use quality tools,brushes etc as high end paint will look low end when cheap tools are used.

I couldn't have said it better spdavid:thumbup:

Debrrah - wash all the railing, even if the bleach/water doesn't get rid of the grey, it will give you a nice clean surface to apply the primer too... just be sure to rinse well.

She may have been asking how long after cleaning could she put on the primer?

I'd say at least a day if its warm and dry, more if there are open joints or exposed bare wood..but I'm no expert. david or mark might tell better.


Oh..and I think Javex is a brand name like Clorox...possibly we have a Canadian OP?

Drying time after cleaning can vary, obviously a hot sunny/windy day will dry it quicker than cool cloudy conditions. Before using any oil base coatings the substrate must be good and dry. You can cheat a little with latex but latex primer won't stop tannin bleed.