Metal Paints & Coatings | Interior & Exterior Metalwork

Metal Paints

Discover our range of metal paints designed for gates, railings, fences, structural steel and other interior and exterior metal surfaces.

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Metal Paints for Gates, Railings & Fences | Coo-Var

Coo-Var Metalwork Paints & Coatings are designed to protect and enhance metal surfaces across domestic, commercial, and industrial environments. Our range includes metal primers, rust converter, rust-inhibiting coatings, decorative metal paints, and protective finishes suitable for gates, railings, garage doors, structural steel, machinery, pipes, and general metalwork applications.

Whether you are restoring exterior railings, protecting exposed metal from corrosion, or updating interior metal surfaces, Coo-Var coatings provide durable, hard-wearing protection with excellent adhesion and long-lasting performance. Suitable for both interior and exterior use, our specialist metal paints help defend against weathering, wear, rust, and everyday damage while delivering a professional finish.

Manufactured in the UK, Coo-Var metalwork coatings are trusted by homeowners, decorators, contractors, and facilities managers for a wide range of maintenance and refurbishment projects. Explore our full range of metal paints and coatings to find reliable solutions for protecting and transforming metal surfaces throughout the home, workplace, and public environments.

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Hammercote Metal Paint Finishes Explained

Not sure which finish is right for your project? Hammercote is available in Smooth, Hammered and Satin finishes, each designed to achieve a different appearance while providing long-lasting protection for metal surfaces.

Finish	Appearance	Best for
Smooth Finish	Clean, uniform finish with a professional look	Gates, railings, structural steel and industrial metalwork where a modern appearance is required
Hammered Finish	Decorative textured effect that creates visual depth	Older metal surfaces, wrought iron, gates and railings where minor imperfections need to be disguised
Satin Finish	Subtle low-sheen finish between matt and gloss	Decorative metalwork, architectural features and railings where a softer appearance is preferred

Smooth Finish

Hammercote Smooth Finish provides a clean, uniform coating that is ideal for metal gates, railings and structural steel. It is often chosen where a professional, modern appearance is required and is particularly popular for commercial and industrial projects.

Choose Smooth Finish if:

You want a modern appearance
The metal surface is in good condition
You are painting structural steel or industrial metalwork

Hammered Finish

Hammercote Hammered Finish creates a decorative textured effect that can help conceal surface imperfections. It is a popular choice for older gates, railings and wrought iron features where a smooth finish may highlight dents, repairs or weathering.

Choose Hammered Finish if:

The metal surface is older or imperfect
You want to disguise repairs or minor defects
You prefer a decorative textured effect

Satin Finish

Hammercote Satin Finish delivers a softer sheen than traditional gloss metal paints. It is well suited to decorative metalwork and architectural features where a more understated finish is preferred.

Choose Satin Finish if:

You want a lower-sheen finish
You are painting decorative metalwork
You prefer a more traditional appearance

Metal Primers & Surface Preparation

Preparation: Achieving a long-lasting finish starts with proper surface preparation. Before applying metal paint, remove any loose rust, flaking paint and surface contaminants to create a clean, stable substrate. Where rust is present, treat affected areas with our Rust Converter to help stabilise corrosion and prepare the surface for painting. Taking the time to prepare metal correctly will improve adhesion, enhance durability and help protect against future rusting.

Learn more: Can You Paint Over Rust? Why Preparation Is Essential Before Painting Metal

Priming: For bare metal surfaces, applying a suitable primer is recommended to maximise performance and longevity. Our Zinc Phosphate Primer provides excellent corrosion resistance and adhesion for ferrous metals, while All Metals Primer is suitable for a wide range of metal substrates. For heavily weathered steel and iron, Anti-Corrosive Red Oxide Primer offers an additional layer of protection before applying Hammercote Metal Paint in your chosen Smooth, Hammered or Satin finish.

Recommended metal preparation & priming products:

Rust Converter – for treating rusted metal before painting
Zinc Phosphate Primer – for corrosion resistance and adhesion on ferrous metals
All Metals Primer – suitable for a wide range of metal substrates
Anti-Corrosive Red Oxide Primer – for additional protection on steel and iron surfaces

Applying metal paint

Application: Once the surface is clean, dry and properly primed, apply your chosen Hammercote Metal Paint. Available in Smooth, Hammered and Satin finishes, Hammercote provides a durable coating suitable for gates, railings, fencing, structural steel and other interior or exterior metal surfaces. Apply evenly using a brush, roller or spray equipment in accordance with the product instructions.

Allow to Dry and Cure: Allow the paint to dry thoroughly between coats and before exposing the surface to heavy use or adverse weather conditions. Drying times will vary depending on temperature, humidity and the product selected. Once fully cured, the coating will provide a tough, protective finish designed to resist weathering, corrosion and everyday wear.

Frequently asked questions

For the best results, loose rust should always be removed before painting. Where rust remains, treating the surface with a Rust Converter can help stabilise corrosion before applying a suitable primer and metal paint. Proper preparation will improve adhesion and help extend the life of the coating.

Hammercote Metal Paint is a popular choice for metal gates thanks to its durable, rust-resistant finish and suitability for exterior use. Available in Smooth, Hammered and Satin finishes, it provides long-lasting protection while enhancing the appearance of metal surfaces.

Bare metal surfaces should generally be primed before painting to improve adhesion and provide additional corrosion protection. Primers such as Zinc Phosphate Primer, All Metals Primer or Anti-Corrosive Red Oxide Primer can help create a durable foundation for the topcoat.

Yes, metal paint can be used on exterior surfaces such as gates, railings, fencing and structural steel. When applied to a properly prepared surface, it helps protect against weathering, moisture and corrosion while maintaining an attractive finish.

Smooth metal paint provides a clean, uniform finish that is ideal for modern metalwork and structural steel. Hammered metal paint creates a decorative textured effect that can help disguise minor surface imperfections, making it a popular choice for older gates, railings and wrought iron features.

The lifespan of metal paint depends on the condition of the surface, preparation methods and environmental exposure. When applied correctly to a properly prepared and primed surface, a quality metal paint system can provide many years of protection against rust, corrosion and general wear.