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Expert Metal Painting Services Across Chicago
Specializing in all types of metal painting—since 2007.
Red Line Painting is Chicago’s trusted expert in exterior metal painting, specializing in fire escapes, railings, balconies, fencing, and other steel structures. Condo associations and property managers, and commercial and municipal organizations alike, depend on use to deliver high-quality, code-compliant finishes that prioritize safety, durability, and visual appeal. From metal repair, rust remediation and surface prep to high-reach applications and cost-effective maintenance plans, our in-house team ensures every project enhances the value and longevity of your property with minimal disruption.
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Why Choose Red Line?
Our Process
Welding and small repairs before painting
Before any paint touches the surface, Red Line Painting ensures the underlying metal is structurally sound. Our team is equipped to handle welding and minor steel repairs as part of our prep process. Whether it’s reattaching loose joints, patching corroded sections, or reinforcing weakened connections, we address the issues that compromise both safety and paint performance. Tackling these repairs up front prevents future failures and ensures a solid foundation for coatings to adhere properly. It’s one more way we deliver lasting, code-compliant results—especially on fire escapes, railings, and other critical building elements.
Our close partnership with Midwest Welders allows us to seamlessly coordinate welding repairs as part of our project workflow. By aligning schedules and working as a unified team, we minimize downtime and disruptions for our clients.
Surface Preparation
Before any metal painting project begins, Red Line Painting prioritizes thorough surface preparation to ensure long-lasting, professional results. Our process includes detailed rust removal, using mechanical tools like grinders and wire brushes to strip away flaking paint and corrosion. We then sand the surface to create optimal adhesion and smooth out imperfections, followed by cleaning with solvents or pressure washing to eliminate dust, grease, and debris. This meticulous prep work is essential for paint longevity, proper bonding, and a clean, durable finish—especially on exposed structures like fire escapes, balconies, and fencing.
Priming
At Red Line Painting, priming is a critical step in ensuring the longevity and performance of any metal coating system. After thorough surface preparation, we apply rust-inhibiting metal primers designed specifically to bond with bare steel and prevent corrosion from returning. We use direct-to-metal (DTM) primers or epoxy-based systems depending on exposure level and surface condition. Our team ensures all rusted areas are fully encapsulated, using brushes or rollers for precision, especially on complex surfaces like decorative fencing or welded joints. Proper dry time, mil thickness, and weather conditions are strictly followed to guarantee a solid foundation before applying any topcoat. This meticulous approach is key to delivering a durable, professional finish that holds up in Chicago’s demanding climate.
High-durability top coats
At Red Line Painting, we use only high-durability coatings engineered specifically for metal surfaces, because generic paints simply don’t hold up to the demands of exposed steel. Metal expands and contracts with temperature changes, and it’s especially vulnerable to moisture, UV rays, and salt exposure from Chicago’s winters. That’s why we apply elastomeric or alkyd-based coatings, which flex with the substrate and resist chipping, fading, and corrosion. These professional-grade systems form a protective barrier that seals out moisture and prevents rust from reforming, extending the life of your structure and reducing the need for frequent repaints. Using the correct paint is not just about appearance—it’s essential to safety, code compliance, and long-term value.
