We recommend a routine periodic electrical inspection is completed to ensure safety and peace of mind. To keep your lamp post in prestine condition we recommend following an annual maintenance schedule, repainting all metal components in a metal based paint yearly. This will heal any aesthetic or UV damage (dulling). It is not possible to avoid paint degradation over time and various external factors can exarcerbate the process. This yearly mainatenance program will provide the necessary protection ensuring your lamp post will provide reliable service for years to come. Iron Bases & Ladder Bars The iron bases and ladder bar centre require as little or as much care as you feel necessary. Iron, by its very makeup, does not corrode in the same way as other metals and must not be confused with steel. However, even with no care at all, very little else will occur other than the dulling and cracking of paintwork or rusting of the surface over time. Some of our customers prefer the natural ageing of iron and actually desire the antique/period look that uncared for iron can offer. If you’re looking to keep iron in perfect condition, we recommend painting after installation followed by yearly maintenance, or as required. Please note the iron bases are prone to cracking as cast iron is brittle, especially if dropped or if something collides with the base. Aluminium Lamp Posts & Bracketry For aluminium, routine painting may be necessary depending on your preference. You may prefer the rustic look that aluminium acquires as it ages, or you may wish to keep it in its original condition. Aluminium paints are commonly available but if you should need assistance finding a suitable brand, our team is always on hand to help if you give us a call. The main benefit of aluminium is the high detail and more defined castings which can be achieved when using it as a material. Also if aluminium corrodes, it generally forms a white powder which is less noticeable than the brown marks normally associated with steel or iron. This property of aluminium makes it ideal for use with bracketry on buildings or walls, especially when they are painted. Steel Posts & Victorian Lanterns As with any steel structure, elements and moisture in the air will cause corrosion over time. Even where these components have been galvanised or painted, this will only prolong the life of the product and does not provide a final fix. All steel posts and lanterns are manufactured from pre-galvanised steel and then painted in a ‘Signal Black’ base paint finish – RAL 9004. For optimum performance we recommend these sections are painted with metal based paint after installation and then yearly, or as required. Upon installation we always advise grub screw locking points, and any nicks in the paintwork, are sealed with a metal based protective paint. Although we have mentioned the various sections of the posts individually, there are paints available which can be applied to iron, steel and aluminium, so maintenance can easily be completed on the entire post in a single session.
Lighting Care & Maintenance
Each section of your lamp post will require slightly different degrees of attention. Some sections require very little maintenance but, for others, more routine attention may be needed. Generally an annual maintenance schedule is recommend. Follow this guide for tips on how to maintain specific lantern and lamp post types.
Lamp Posts
We recommend a routine periodic electrical inspection is completed to ensure safety and peace of mind. To keep your lamp post in prestine condition we recommend following an annual maintenance schedule, repainting all metal components in a metal based paint yearly. This will heal any aesthetic or UV damage (dulling). It is not possible to avoid paint degradation over time and various external factors can exarcerbate the process. This yearly mainatenance program will provide the necessary protection ensuring your lamp post will provide reliable service for years to come. Iron Bases & Ladder Bars The iron bases and ladder bar centre require as little or as much care as you feel necessary. Iron, by its very makeup, does not corrode in the same way as other metals and must not be confused with steel. However, even with no care at all, very little else will occur other than the dulling and cracking of paintwork or rusting of the surface over time. Some of our customers prefer the natural ageing of iron and actually desire the antique/period look that uncared for iron can offer. If you’re looking to keep iron in perfect condition, we recommend painting after installation followed by yearly maintenance, or as required. Please note the iron bases are prone to cracking as cast iron is brittle, especially if dropped or if something collides with the base. Aluminium Lamp Posts & Bracketry For aluminium, routine painting may be necessary depending on your preference. You may prefer the rustic look that aluminium acquires as it ages, or you may wish to keep it in its original condition. Aluminium paints are commonly available but if you should need assistance finding a suitable brand, our team is always on hand to help if you give us a call. The main benefit of aluminium is the high detail and more defined castings which can be achieved when using it as a material. Also if aluminium corrodes, it generally forms a white powder which is less noticeable than the brown marks normally associated with steel or iron. This property of aluminium makes it ideal for use with bracketry on buildings or walls, especially when they are painted. Steel Posts & Victorian Lanterns As with any steel structure, elements and moisture in the air will cause corrosion over time. Even where these components have been galvanised or painted, this will only prolong the life of the product and does not provide a final fix. All steel posts and lanterns are manufactured from pre-galvanised steel and then painted in a ‘Signal Black’ base paint finish – RAL 9004. For optimum performance we recommend these sections are painted with metal based paint after installation and then yearly, or as required. Upon installation we always advise grub screw locking points, and any nicks in the paintwork, are sealed with a metal based protective paint. Although we have mentioned the various sections of the posts individually, there are paints available which can be applied to iron, steel and aluminium, so maintenance can easily be completed on the entire post in a single session.
Lantern Tops
Copper Lanterns
All of our copper lanterns are coated in a tough stove lacquer. This protective layer is designed to break down slowly over time, allowing the copper gradual exposure to the elements. Depending on the chemicals and salt content in the air, the lanterns will gradually patina down to a rich dark green colour. If you would like to try and preserve the bright polished copper appearance, we recommend the use of a yacht varnish.
How to Paint a Lamp Post
Please ignore our grass/weeds in these photos. We have been trying to revive our lawn since we bought the foreclosed upon home (with completely dead grass). Since we had no luck growing grass, only weeds, we decided to re-sod it completely next spring, thus it is really ugly right now.
Step 1: Make sure the weather is right. You don’t want to spay paint a lamp post if the humidity or heat is too high. You also don’t want to spray paint in the cold either. Follow the directions on the cans of primer and spray paint. I primed and painted when it was about 70 degrees outside.
Typically spray paints will say that temperatures should be between 50-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid painting when humidity is higher than 85%. It also best to avoid painting in direct sunlight. I painted on an overcast day which was good because the metal wasn’t too hot.
Step 2: Wash the item you are going to paint really well. I sprayed it with our hose and used a scrubbing pad on it. Let it dry out, or dry it completely.
Step 3: Tape off anything you do not want to be painted. I taped off the lamp post windows.
Step 4: Put newspapers around the base so that you don’t spray paint the lawn (if you care). I did not do this because I don’t have a lawn that I care about at the moment.
Step 5: Remove any nearby items you do not want over spray getting on (a vehicle parked in the driveway, a bike, etc.).
Step 6: Prime the lamp post. I used Rust-Oleum’s aluminum professional primer. I love using the Rust-Oleum’s spray paint handle/grip. It really makes the process go so much faster and is much easier on your hands, fingers, and wrists.
Allow the primer to dry for the recommended time in between coats (15 minutes or so depending on the brand). Add a second coat of primer.
Step 7: Once the primer is dry (about 15 minutes depending on the brand). Add the final coats with the type of paint you want. I used Rust-Oleum Textured outdoor white spray paint that stops rust. It is very important to spray lightly and to follow directions on the cans. I ended up adding about 2-3 light coats of spray paint on top of the primer.
Step 8: Allow to dry and check for any really light areas, touch up.
Step 9: Follow the same instructions on the top of the lamp post, hardware, and/or other parts of the lamp post.
Step 10: Remove tape and newspaper.
I painted my lamp post over one month ago and despite, hot days, heavy rains, and lately frost, etc. it looks just like the day I painted it. The paint job is holding up really really well. The best part? Now my lamp post looks new, matches my home, and doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb.
Enjoy your project. If you have questions/comments please leave them below.
Supplies
newspaper or cardboard
painters tape
Here’s the before and after on our mailbox transformation… plus our new lawn.
For other ‘rich living tips’ please subscribe, like me on Facebook, and follow me on Pinterest and Instagram.
Related posts:
Reader Interactions
Comments
- Meagan says May 23, 2016 at 1:53 pm
Thanks for this, it is very timely. I was just looking at how the lamp post in our new house really needs to be repainted. Do you have any suggestions for dealing with rust?
- Anita Fowler says May 25, 2016 at 7:53 pm
Hi! I’d hand sand and smooth off the rust as best as you can with some sand paper and then proceed with the following instructions and just paint over what you can’t get to come off ;). That’s maybe not the most professional advice but what I’d do personally.
What is the method for spraying the pole? Do you go back and forth across all the way down one side then move over, or go all the way around and then up while circling? Thank you for your post!
Thank you for sharing how to paint a lamp post on Think Tank Thursday. I too have a black lamp post and think that it would look much better a different color. Shared and pinned.
- Anita Fowler says August 8, 2017 at 1:53 am
Thank you!
Hi Anita!
How many cans did it take of each the primer and the white coat?
- Anita Fowler says November 7, 2017 at 1:04 am
