Do I need to prime this metal?

[Nanako]

I have here, a metal handrail from my bathroom. The paint had peeled off in places and it had gotten rusty over several years, but it still seems solid

I've taken it down, and spent half an hour running the detail sander over it, gotten most of the rust off, does this seem good enough? I think so.
As you can see, the surface is (now) covered in thousands of tiny scratches, it looks very rough, although it feels smooth to the touch

I'm planning to paint it, i've got some dulux easycare bathroom paint which i used on my doorframe, i'd like to use it here too, match the color

But the question is, can i just do that? Is it going to adhere? My gut says no.
Will i need some specialist metal primer to make this work? i don't have any

I do have a few other things though, i've got half a tin of this stuff:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rustins-WHPU250-Primer-Paint-White/dp/B002ATNRN6

But metal isnt one of the compatible surfaces listed, its mostly for wood
And i do also have some jenolite and some upvc primer

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B099ZY3FG4

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DSLRV462

Both of these are meant for plastic though
Will anything i have suffice for painting metal?

And if not, can you guys recommend a cheap metal primer?

 

[Burnerman]

If it was mine, I'd head for a motor factors and buy an aerosol of etching primer really does adhere to the metal.
If you want to fill up those pock marks, get a can of high build primer too!
John

 

[Nanako]

If it was mine, I'd head for a motor factors and buy an aerosol of etching primer really does adhere to the metal.
If you want to fill up those pock marks, get a can of high build primer too!
John

i think the pockmarks you mean are the two screw holes at each end

I've never heard of etching primer before now, looking at a cheap option i found on amazon

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HYCOTE-XUK433-Hycote-Primer-400ml/dp/B004SNDADO

This stuff specifically specifies NON-ferrous metals, is that unique to this one, or a general feature of etching primer?
Given that the bar had a fair bit of rust on it, it is probably steel

 

[Burnerman]

For pock marks, read tiny scratches!
I use etching primer on any metal, in my case 99% steel and it hasn't let me down at all.......where ordinary primer has.
John

 

[Scally-Ho]

I wouldn't faff about restoring it when a new one is available for £6.26 delivered.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Aidapt-Safety-Outdoor-Indoor-Support/dp/B01N52RXXV/ref=sr_1_16?adgrpid=1181975899098425&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.i2FQ6TsGH_6O71dCHCv-EZjtQoaVjRKsN-PmjrPbOZtgYJIOOv1RF0hxXtYq7c5ZeOZPp4CymiKDNbmZJXoTge-Epz5NPpDhM9KAWyPi74AqaJ6xxOhEVDN5d4K7rV8bz7HV0xUzj9MsahUnLa7znQhuXYR-jiAIknUtWz3qhIGIZGen2YoZxrvMe-7WNw6JliJtWBb7jajdc50h7DAwOa4FlzSiBhpAUeGzWxgULMGDzzEmhvKcxLnBufMMb4k3BaUis6KmwZriJar0gl2EzC1THKCnWT7kkcyiHmiHkiE.szBSy9alKY9W05Agm4uFTgPMdscgPIgX0WYFu-3ZRlE&dib_tag=se&hvadid=73873712641364&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=162496&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-73873632728902%3Aloc-188&hydadcr=5725_2345250&keywords=grab+hand+rails&mcid=c4e44f1443bc3cb6b994e9b8465db0eb&msclkid=d5c4b33a65841b5b67eddb111c0886ae&qid=1747679637&sr=8-16

 

[Nanako]

I wouldn't faff about restoring it when a new one is available for £6.26 delivered.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Aidapt-Safety-Outdoor-Indoor-Support/dp/B01N52RXXV/ref=sr_1_16?adgrpid=1181975899098425&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.i2FQ6TsGH_6O71dCHCv-EZjtQoaVjRKsN-PmjrPbOZtgYJIOOv1RF0hxXtYq7c5ZeOZPp4CymiKDNbmZJXoTge-Epz5NPpDhM9KAWyPi74AqaJ6xxOhEVDN5d4K7rV8bz7HV0xUzj9MsahUnLa7znQhuXYR-jiAIknUtWz3qhIGIZGen2YoZxrvMe-7WNw6JliJtWBb7jajdc50h7DAwOa4FlzSiBhpAUeGzWxgULMGDzzEmhvKcxLnBufMMb4k3BaUis6KmwZriJar0gl2EzC1THKCnWT7kkcyiHmiHkiE.szBSy9alKY9W05Agm4uFTgPMdscgPIgX0WYFu-3ZRlE&dib_tag=se&hvadid=73873712641364&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=162496&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-73873632728902%3Aloc-188&hydadcr=5725_2345250&keywords=grab+hand+rails&mcid=c4e44f1443bc3cb6b994e9b8465db0eb&msclkid=d5c4b33a65841b5b67eddb111c0886ae&qid=1747679637&sr=8-16

wow, that...is actually cheaper than a can of primer

The "paint" on this one was really more like a few thin layers of rubber, it was pretty durable and had survived over a decade before it started peeling. I suspect the one you linked is identical
But white doesn't fit my design, i do still want to paint it blue, and that shiny rubbery surface doesnt look like it'd take paint without primer of its own.
Any thoughts on that?

 

[Scally-Ho]

I would try some fine steel wool on the reverse side of the fixing points before adding your blue to see how it sticks and dries. If successful, which I expect it will be, then lightly abrade the rest to flat the surface and Bob's your uncle

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

I've always used Dulux satinwood for radiators, works fine and pretty tough, available in any colour to match your wall paint, I would chance it without any primer but maybe that's just me.

 

[Scally-Ho]

That primer you gave a link to is only for the list and nowhere does it mention steel.

• Suitable for new and bare wood, MDF, plaster, brickwork and cement.

 

[Nanako]

That primer you gave a link to is only for the list and nowhere does it mention steel.

• Suitable for new and bare wood, MDF, plaster, brickwork and cement.

i read the label, yes, but sometimes knowledgeable people know that one thing is a good stand in for another, and i was hoping one of the things i had might be good enough for the job, doesnt hurt to ask!

 

[Nanako]

I would try some fine steel wool on the reverse side of the fixing points before adding your blue to see how it sticks and dries. If successful, which I expect it will be, then lightly abrade the rest to flat the surface and Bob's your uncle

alright, worth a try, ive rolled some on, it doesnt seem to sit quite right, beading up a little, but its not too noticeable, will see how that dries

 

[mattylad]

Those steel handrails are always going rusty, IMO you would be better off using a plastic one like below.
They do the same thing, are very strong and do not rust.

Amazon.co.uk

Why do amazon url's always have to be so damn long? lol

 

[Nanako]

I would try some fine steel wool on the reverse side of the fixing points before adding your blue to see how it sticks and dries. If successful, which I expect it will be, then lightly abrade the rest to flat the surface and Bob's your uncle

Great news! This appears to be working well

Of course, time will tell if the paint holds up under actual use of being grabbed and supporting weight

but for now at least, it seems the answer to the thread question is: No, i do not need to prime this metal!

 

[Nanako]

Those steel handrails are always going rusty, IMO you would be better off using a plastic one like below.
They do the same thing, are very strong and do not rust.

Amazon.co.uk

Why do amazon url's always have to be so damn long? lol

The trick i do is to cut off the first questionmark and everything after it. That means a query in php, i think, and is used to convey extra information for your search experience