Can I paint Tposts black?

[Calvincrowe]

We have about 600 feet of line/perimeter fence to replace. It runs along our driveway and past the house. The front field is fenced with black metal (think chain link style) posts and top rail with no climb. We’d like to match it…but the cost would be prohibitive at this time, and as we share this with an iffy neighbor, we’d like it to be a bit more flexible if needed. My thought was to use Tposts, caps, field fence (to keep dogs in/out), and a hot wire top, to keep his horses/cattle/donkeys/pigs/sheep/goats (not kidding, all of them, mixed together…sigh) out/off. However, I’d love to match the look of the gorgeous fence 40 feet away on the other side of the drive.

So…can I paint Tposts black and have them stay that way?? Would I use a sprayer, lay them out and give them several good coats? Anyone done this? Am I crazy? What kind of paint would be best?

[GoForAGallop]

I’d use cheap spray paint, and resign myself to touching it up regularly.

We spray paint our farm truck with the $1 cans from Home Depot. Buy them a case at a time, spray it down once a year. It looks fine from ten feet away. After that, it starts looking a little more questionable. :lol: Here’s a pic: http://images.craigslist.org/00Q0Q_buy8gFDXGpD_600x450.jpg

You’ll get a slightly better quality with the actual branded Rustoleum paint, at about $4/can.

To do it “right” means sanding and priming the posts, and I personally don’t have time for that nonsense. :lol: Would much rather re-spray or touch up every year/every other year, if needed, with cheap paint, if the alternative is spending an entire weekend sanding goddamn t-posts and painting them with automotive or other expensive, high quality paint.

[Hulk]

You can paint anything you want. If its metal use Rustolem or some other off brand of rust prohibitive paint. They as anything else that is painted will need touched up every now and then. I paint and paint and paint all spring summer and fall, so painting your T posts is definitely not over the top.

[SLW]

I go to our local farm store and buy oil based paint that is designed to be used on metal. The paint last for years and if your painting that many T post I think it would be less expensive than buying cans of spray paint.

FTR, I paint some of my T post, the pipe panels that are my holding pens and all the metal inside my barn.

[rustbreeches]

I see a line of posts I want them painted black…
Sorry, had to do it. Yep, get a case of rustoleum and knock it out. No clue how long it will last on the caps, though

[Lmabernathy]

Would this work for you http://www.centaurdirect.com/t-sleevecovers25pack54inchtall.aspx

Comes in black or white. Its already insulated for electric so you don’t have to buy insulators for the t-posts. I use them with the black lightning electric fence on my farm.

[mattv]

Rustoleum Hammered paint (matte, not gloss) would probably work well.

Personally, I’d check into using the spray-on truck bedliner stuff. I’m sure it would REALLY stick and hold up well.

[crosscreeksh]

We painted ours white…almost ten years ago…used industrial quality paint from the local farm store…except for where the posts have been chipped by the tractor or mower…80 acres worth are still white!! Use a paint made for metal.

[Calvincrowe]

My DH is against the idea, wants to spend the $$ to put in matching posts…70+ of them! (at $17/each) The T posts just wouldn’t “fit” even painted black. The sleeves are intriguing, but will come out costing nearly the same with shipping, and T posts aren’t as sturdy as the ones we’d be using. But, they’d be much easier to put in. Decisions, decisions!

Thanks for the good advice–I might be able to persuade him to use the T posts/black paint on the east side fence instead to at least get a more balanced appearance.

[crosscreeksh]

Good husband of yours!! We HAVE to use T posts due to the rock here, but I HATE them. They do present a serious cut danger and I don’t like the way they look.

[Calvincrowe]

We have a fair number of T posts on the farm. Really, due to the wet here wood posts are a non-starter–they rot in under 8 years, regardless of treated, cedar…nothing seems to help. We chose the galvanized, black painted chain link posts that are cemented in for the look, lifespan and strength, and safety. They aren’t cheap, but will last until they earn their price!

[showidaho]

Just be aware that they are white on the tops for visibility - not just for horses, but also for wildlife. I’ve seen some pretty horrible instances of wildlife meeting fences (especially t-posts) and would do what I could to avoid that. Just food for thought.

[Calvincrowe]

Showidaho–The black metal pipe top rail is pretty obvious on the current fence, and the deer hop the 5 foot, t-post fence with hot rope on it right now. I try to keep a visual (rail or white rope-type electric) for everyone’s safety. We cannot afford to run the top rail along the new long fence line–mucho expensivo! I’m thinking black electric tape, but it is very windy here and I hate the “flappy” effect. Does electric wire rope come in black? Must hit the internet and find out! I am all about live and let live with my local wildlife (see my sig line), so I try to accommodate my white tails ;).