Painting Flagpoles
Before and after
The pole looks shiny and new when you paint it with aluminum color. We also always paint the top ball gold while we are up there free of charge.
Flagpole Types
Steel and wooden flagpoles are the flagpoles that need the most care. Bare metal rusts, and when rust sets in it
Benefits of Painting
When you paint a metal or wooden flagpole you need to prep the surface first. Like any painted surface you have to scrape off any old flaking paint and sand down any glossy areas as well as all surface rust. Severe rust sometimes requires a grinder to remove the thicker patches of rust. If you want your final coat of paint to last, you need to do a primer coat first to help block the rust and give the paint a good surface to adhere to. Primers are designed to stick very well to surfaces and if you decide to go with a light color, the primer coat will help give the light color a more uniform look. Oil-based paints are also a good recommendation since they are stronger overall than water-based paints. Between the rope going up and down and the flag flapping in the wind, flagpoles get quite a bit of abuse even though you might not notice. If you want your pole to be looking in tip-top shape and be protected from rust, a two-year painting routine is a good idea. Depending on budget and how much use the pole gets, the intervals might be more regular than every two years. If you schedule us at least once every two years we will waive the prep fee since the flagpoles will generally still be in really good condition. The more time between pole painting, the more likely it becomes that the flagpole will be beaten up by the flag clips and thus incur more of a prep fee since there will be more sanding/grinding of rust and flaking paint. Here is the most beneficial routine you can do for a metal flagpole. It’s a two-year plan and will keep your pole in working order and
- Inspection of the top ball and revolving truck assembly for safety and operation. We will replace if needed. (See Truck Replacement)
- Replacement or lubrication of sheaves (pulleys).
- Installation of halyards (ropes) and flag snaps (wire-core rope is available for high theft areas.)
- Surface preparation, to include: scraping, sanding, and priming.
- A finish coat of top quality oil-based enamel or aluminum paint. The most common colors are white and aluminum, but you can choose almost any color you like.