Painting Front Porch Rails--DIY or Not?

[gazpacho]

Hi, all. I need a little advice regarding my plan to DIY painting the front porch

We're trying to trim our budget for summer improvements. Out front porch rails need some cleaning and repainting. I'm not an expert DIYer. However, I've been reading online tips and watching youtube tutorials about painting the porch rails. The columns are white metal (aluminum, maybe). So, it's basically the rails of the porch. The first coat, though it looked fine in the beginning, was by the builder and it was "sorry as sorry can be". Have anyone DIYed this? If so, what paint did you use. I've read that I should use porch paint. However, I'm unclear whether to use latex or oil-based paint. I'm cleaning off the rails with a bleach solution today. Then, will use my paint scraper/sandpaper on Sunday to smooth things over. Is there anything else that I should be mindful of? Is it better to just hire someone?

We ordered new furniture for our front porch and I want to make it look as welcoming as possible! Thanks, in advance!

[sarahbear]

Do it yourself. And I'd try spray paint if it's metal.

[Deleted]

You can totally DIY that. It's a time consuming project but it's by no means hard.

I prefer oil based paint for outside. But I live in an area with extreme weather conditions....oil based just holds up better for me esp. on wood.

If you have to paint metal...they have metal paint. It's easy to use. If it doesnt' say specifically for metal any "machinery" paint will work too.

[gazpacho]

Thanks...the metal portion is holding up. So, I only have to paint the wood rails. We live in the South where it CRAZY humid and I'm watching the weather for a low humidity day.

Today, I'm cleaning off the old pollen and a little mildew this morning and will let dry a couple days. It doesn't seem hard...but, I don't want to be over-confident about my DIY skill-set!

[aweilba]

Totally a DIY job. My parents do this every other summer with their porch rails, and they are some of the least handy people I know. They usually use Rustoleum spray paint and just get some tarps down on the deck before they start.

[LLYS]

an exterior oil based paint for metal will last much longer than a latex.

[winofairy]

I think it's totally a DYI project.

[mmp]

If it's white wood, you may want to use Behr White Deck Stain. It goes on opaque and thick like white paint.