How to Repair Steps with Existing Iron Rails

Wrought iron stair railings.

Many older homes have details that are rarely found in modern new construction. Iron railings are one such detail. Wrought iron railings were common for the front stairs on many modest homes. It is important to note that these are not cast iron railings. Cast iron railings would only be found on the most expensive homes that had large front staircases and would feature much thicker railings and supports than the typical wrought iron railings. Wrought iron is much easier to work with and repair than cast iron.

Things You'll Need

• Scraping tool
• Wire brush
• Bondo body filler
• Putty knife
• Small c-clamps
• Sandpaper
• Metal primer
• Metal paint
• Drop cloth
• Cloth rags
• Paint brush
• Socket Wrench Set
• Wood epoxy penetrant
• Drill

Instructions

Priming and Painting

1. Scrape all loose paint and primer from the railings. Use a wire brush to remove any remaining loose paint or primer and remove any rust. Ideally the scraping and brushing will result in the railing being mostly exposed bare metal.

2. Wipe down the railings with the cloth rags to remove any dust or loose debris. It is best not to use water to wash the railings as iron rusts very easily, and you may end up causing the railings to rust prior to priming them.

3. Place the drop cloth on the steps beneath the railing. Apply the metal primer to all of the metal surfaces of the railing. It is important to prime the metal as soon as you have finished scraping and brushing it. Iron rusts very quickly if it is exposed to any moisture before it is primed. Brush on at least two coats of paint allowing for appropriate dry time between coats as directed by manufacturer's recommendations for the chosen paint.

Fixing Loose Metal Attachments

1. Mix the two parts of the body filler epoxy together. Use putty knife to apply the body filler to loose railings and then clamp the railing into place with the c-clamp. The body filler epoxy should harden within 15 minutes. Use the putty knife to remove any excess body filler. Repeat as necessary for all loose connections.

2. Remove the c-clamp from the railing. Smooth all of the exposed epoxy with sandpaper.

3. Place the drop cloth on stairs under the railings. Prime the exposed epoxy areas. Brush on at least two coats of paint, allowing for appropriate dry time between coats as directed by manufacturer's recommendations.

Reattaching Railings to Wooden Steps

1. Using the socket wrench, remove all the screws or bolts that attach the railing to the wooden stair treads. Either replace any broken wooden stair treads or repair any rotted sections with bondo epoxy or with wood epoxy penetrant. Allow epoxy application to dry according to the manufacturer's directions.

2. Place the railing back on the stairs and mark the location of the bolts on the repaired stair tread. Remove the railing. Drill a guide hole for the bolts at the marked locations.

3. Place the railing back on the stairs and reattach the bolts using the socket wrench.

Tips & Warnings

• It is unlikely that a wrought iron railing will have deteriorated to the point where you will have to rebuild iron sections of the railing. If this has happened and you still believe the railing can be restored satisfactorily if these sections are replaced, you will need to have someone fabricate new sections and weld them into place.

• Bondo metal repair epoxy can also be used for wood repairs and works very well in both applications.

• Priming and painting the railings with spray paint is also a good option. However, you must be careful to completely cover any nearby surfaces so that you do not paint them as well.

References

• Home Solutions Metal Repair
• Repainting Metal Railings
• Fixing Rotted Wood