Finally, I’m replacing my porch posts and painting them with my Finish Max paint sprayer. More details below.
My home has zero curb appeal. That’s okay, because a few years ago it was a –50. I’m making improvements slowly but surely. If I had all the time and the money in the world it would definitely be on the very top of my priority list. Who wouldn’t love to smile every time they drive up to their home? I look at magazines and daydream about changes I would like to make. b.a.b.y. steps.
In recent years, I’ve taken out bushes and trees. It’s time to concentrate on the front porch.
Maple Leaf Wrought Iron Posts
First up? Porch posts. ugh! disgusting, right? We put these in—well, I didn’t. The maple leaf wrought iron posts were not my choice.
They’ve been here for about 30+ years. This is back in 1984—my daughter Jamie.
I’ve been trying to get someone to replace them for about 2 years. It seems that nobody wanted to do such a small job. So, what’s a gal to do? DIY !!
I contacted my Cousin Terry—you may remember she helped me do Leann’s barn door last year. Terry loves this kind of stuff. This is the dreaded before.
On the porch, blue porch post, trunk made from an old door, wind chime I re-strung, and painted storm door (with my Finish Max).
Middle aged women can DIY
Don’t we make it look easy? If two middle-aged women can do this, so can YOU! Honestly the most difficult part was trying to find a solid area to place the jacked up 2×4’s. (we screwed two 2×4’s together). The porch ceiling is vinyl. We had a difficult time finding a solid spot to support it. Oh, and yeah, those old supports weighed a TON!
Installing new porch posts
We used 2 levels to make sure everything was plumb. For spacers we used some 2×4 scraps-to insure that the left side matched the right side.
After we figured out where to place the jack, we were done in no time. My new porch posts are wood. The vinyl ones wouldn’t work on my concrete porch. Therefore my posts need to be painted. In a perfect world, I would have used my Finish Max BEFORE putting the posts in place. But, time was an issue and I needed to get the posts up while I had someone to help me.
In this picture we are signing our work. 
Yes, women can DIY porch posts!
New posts, and the porch didn’t fall down on our heads!
Paint porch posts with Finish Max Paint Sprayer
It was time to paint the new posts. I could have used a brush, but I just love the finish I get with my HomeRight Finish Max
The posts were pre-primed. I used Glidden Exterior Semi-Gloss in my HomeRight Finish Max
There were two plants that I needed to protect, I used old sheets.
It took me longer to hang the plastic than it did to paint them. I did three light coats, following the dry times on the can. I’m thrilled with how they turned out. The Finish max did such a great job.
Thank you Homeright for helping me DIY stuff around this old place!
I tackled something I had no idea I could do. One more thing checked off my list! Thanks to this YouTube video. Have you done something around your home where you surprised yourself?
gail
disclaimer: I’m happy to be a brand ambassador for Homeright. All thoughts, opinions, projects are my own.
Ray says
April 9, 2019 at 10:57 pmSorry you got rid of that beautiful iron work
Kaye Diehlman says
April 12, 2018 at 2:33 pmI just found your post on the porch posts. I’m currently looking for one like the old wrought iron ones you removed. Any suggestions as to where? I’m in central lower Michigan.
Gail Wilson says
April 13, 2018 at 7:28 pmNo, Kaye. I’m really sorry I have no idea. I had those old posts for so many years, I can’t remember where we got them. If you’re on facebook, I would start there and ask your friends and family for help.
lots of luck to you!
gail
pam says
August 31, 2018 at 3:31 pmGail, I have 4 of the iron decorative posts. Do you have ideas on repurposeing them. I love them and hate to get rid of them.
Gail Wilson says
September 4, 2018 at 10:30 pmNo, Pam I’m sorry to say I don’t. Especially if they are as heavy as mine were.
gail
Mel says
May 29, 2017 at 9:07 amYour posts look great! Did you have to thin the latex paint to use your sprayer? I was getting ready to paint shutters and on my paint (sherwin williams) it says I don’t need to dilute it but I haven’t used this home right sprayer yet and was nervous it will be too thick. Figured I’d get a second opinion. Thanks!
Gail Wilson says
May 30, 2017 at 10:30 pmI always thin and strain my paint. Is your paint water based or oil? You will love how easy it is to spray your shutters. Might I suggest you start on a piece of scrap wood or a spare thrift store find? That way you can get a feel for it before you tackle your shutters.
good luck, have fun!
gail
Michelle says
October 14, 2016 at 3:42 pmI need some of those wrought iron posts – where can I find some?
Gail Wilson says
October 14, 2016 at 8:49 pmThose are over 30 years old, so I have no idea. 🙂
gail
Joyce T. says
June 17, 2015 at 12:34 pmPlease come help me with my old rotted porch posts!!.
Did you consider just building a facade around the old wrought iron posts to make them look like wooden pillars without having to jack up the porch & pull the posts out? That looked like the hard part.
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
June 17, 2015 at 7:19 pmJoyce,
The original porch posts were barely supporting the porch due to rust. But, that would have been a great idea otherwise! Smart girl!
gail
Terri Hughes says
May 26, 2015 at 4:56 pmGail, you and your sister did a great job on the new porch posts. Very nice!!!!
chris aka monkey says
May 26, 2015 at 4:23 pmsuper woman xx
Sylvia says
May 23, 2015 at 9:46 amGreat improvement. The old wrought iron supports just didn’t go with the style of your home. Now, you must paint the porch ceiling haint blue since you are in the South and all.
Patricia says
May 23, 2015 at 1:24 amI have no idea how this got in under my radar…
I can’t believe you tackled this just the two of you… middle aged women… hahahaha!
Thanks to cousin Terry… for giving you a big ol’ hand too.
and it didn’t fall down on y’all. Great job…. girls!
Patricia
Debbie says
May 22, 2015 at 10:14 pmThey look great!! You can do everything!!
Debbie
Trish says
May 21, 2015 at 10:37 amGood for you . I don’t think there is anything you can’t do.
cassie says
May 21, 2015 at 8:51 amSOOOOOOO much better! i am all for vintage details, but i typically don’t like ornate iron work on a house.
Suzanne says
May 21, 2015 at 12:21 amYou make everything look easy, but I know projects like this take time and skill. You are amazing!
Mindi says
May 20, 2015 at 7:08 pmWow! Amazing job, it totally looked easy and your new porch columns look so good!
girlfromwva says
May 20, 2015 at 4:36 pmwhat a great job!!! congrats!
Laurel Stephens says
May 20, 2015 at 10:58 amYou guys did make that look easy. I love the new porch posts, Gail. They look great!
Julie @ follow your heart woodworking says
May 20, 2015 at 8:45 amThose posts are just lovely! Now how will you repurpose the old posts?
Amy says
May 20, 2015 at 8:41 amYou two did an amazing job. Can’t wait to see how you repurpose the old posts.
Carmen says
May 20, 2015 at 7:54 amYou two are just amazing
Christina says
May 20, 2015 at 6:55 amGail, You and Terry did a GREAT job!! Wow, I love the finish you got with the Homeright Finish Max! Oooo now to repurpose those heavy old posts. :)) Do I see a garden trellis in their future. :)))
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
May 20, 2015 at 9:01 amChristina,
Thanks for your comment!
Those old posts have been scrapped. They are so heavy there was no way this old gal could even try to repurpose them. I do know my limits. LOL
gail
Nance Greenwell says
May 20, 2015 at 4:33 amGreat job! This gives me hope to do a similar job myself. Thanks!