Grey paint for metal railing

fizzy

I need to repaint the balcony railing on my apartment which is looking quite rusty. The railings and drainpipes are a light grey colour, which I assumed would be a basic shade readily available, given the apartments were built in the early 80s when there were far fewer shades available.

But I can't seem to find a good match in any mainstream paint ranges, either in the specialist metal hammerite etc or in general external wood/metal types. Most grey shades are far too dark and virtually all give a high gloss finish whereas the railings don't have a look of ever having been very glossy.
I've attached a pic and for the accurate colour, Dulux weathershield masonry have a blue grey shade which looks a great match http://www.mcmahons.ie/dulux-weathershield-5l-blue-grey.html

I'm sure very basic paint was used originally and I remember an apartment put up for sale last year redid theirs in the right shade as part of a rough spruce up, so I am hoping that I am missing something and have been just looking at the wrong types of paint!?
Can anyone point me in the right direction? Many thanks

Fiolina

I bought a metal paint in either Lidl or Aldi last year. It looks very similar to the colour you're looking for. The name of it is Deco Style Metal Care. The colour is called "Silver". If you're anywhere near Raheny, you're more than welcome to it as I have nearly a full litre left. It would be worth checking both shops as they always seem to repeat their offers. (I just can't remember which shop it was!)

fizzy

Many thanks Fiolina that's really good of you to offer. I'm not out your way but I will have a look in those shops thanks.

daveohdave

Are you sure it's not just primer and they never got to the actual painting? ;-)

fizzy

daveohdave wrote: »

Are you sure it's not just primer and they never got to the actual painting? ;-)

Lol I've no idea! But could that work? I know it is at least 8 years since mine was done and probably a fair bit longer so would primer last that long?

cheif kaiser

Buy a tin of white paint for metal http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk/hammerite-white---satin-exterior-metal-paint---250ml-726227 and a small tin of black. Add small amounts of black to the white and stir very well until you reach the correct colour. It is such a pale shade of grey that I would guess it would only take a spoonful or 2. (Remove a small amount of white from the can before you start just in case you go a little too dark, that way you can always add a little of the white back in).

fizzy

cheif kaiser wrote: »

Buy a tin of white paint for metal http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk/hammerite-white---satin-exterior-metal-paint---250ml-726227 and a small tin of black. Add small amounts of black to the white and stir very well until you reach the correct colour. It is such a pale shade of grey that I would guess it would only take a spoonful or 2. (Remove a small amount of white from the can before you start just in case you go a little too dark, that way you can always add a little of the white back in).

Thanks Kaiser I never thought of trying that! I might need a drop of a blue too but I may could get close enough without it.

It's still niggling me that I'm missing something obvious because there are nearly 100 railings all still this grey colour 30 years on.

looksee

Great idea of Kaisers, but do be aware, as he said, that you really only need a very tiny bit of black to make white into grey. And once it is darker it is almost impossible to get it light again. Measure in teaspoons full and stir well before deciding whether it is right.

fizzy

Thanks Looksee I'll bear that in mind if I have to give mixing a go thanks

red sean

OP, Don't know if this will make the job a bit easier for you:
https://www.aldi.ie/en/specialbuys/sunday-24th-august/products-detail-page/ps/p/metal-care-paint-2/

Big Cheese

Hi,
There are more shades of grey than you may think. It is unlikely you will find it off the shelf too easy either. If you download Johnstones ColourMate app, it will allow you to match the colour in your photo and show you sample colour swatches. Once you are happy with the colour match on the app tou can go to your nearest Johnstone's Paints and they can mix the colour for you in Smooth Metal Paint. It is a low sheen finish, like your railings. Where are you based?

fizzy

Red Sean - top spot! thanks for that info

Big Cheese - yes I am all too familiar with the '50 shades of grey' problem. My hope was just that since the apartments were built in simpler times, and some people have been able to match the colour, that the paint was readily available somewhere.

I hadn't realised colour matching stuff was available for this type of paint. If they are mixing it, I'd imagine you need to get a large amount? I've a query in with the managing agents for the development in case they have any info re the right paint to use, but if that doesn't work out I may well look into that thanks.

Big Cheese

In simpler times it was common for decorators to mix the colour themselves in big batches so you may never get it. If you get it mixed in Johnstones they can do it in 0.8ltr which is a small pot. Try looking at a RAL colour card as that one is used a lot for industrial or metalwork finishes

fizzy

Big Cheese wrote: »

In simpler times it was common for decorators to mix the colour themselves in big batches so you may never get it. If you get it mixed in Johnstones they can do it in 0.8ltr which is a small pot. Try looking at a RAL colour card as that one is used a lot for industrial or metalwork finishes

Many thanks for this info big cheese and thanks also to all who replied.