Ask the Expert Question-and-Answer Archive

by Ron Joseph

October, 2010

New Primed Steel Railing Rusting After 6 Months

Q. I had railings fabricated in a welding shop. Supposedly they were primed with red oxide. There was also a finish coat (latex) sprayed on.

6 months later rust was bubbling through the paint. Also, I can easily scrape off the paint down to bare steel. The steel was all new, not rusted, when fabricated.

Does this imply the red oxide was improperly applied?

A. It seems likely that the welder did not properly prepare the steel surfaces before applying the red oxide primer.

Regards,

Ron Joseph