How do I repaint an old railway tie retaining wall?

LouAnne
by LouAnne

I have an older stained surface railway tie retaining wall all around our backyard. How do I repaint it to look newer along with the wood stairs that were put in with it?

  4 answers
  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Jul 23, 2019

    I would use a deep stain rather than paint. If they haven't been painted before, it will soak up the paint.

  • Gk Gk on Jul 23, 2019

    Your paint may not stick very well if the old railway ties have previously treated with oil or creosote. Many of the older railway ties were treated that way. It would be better to stain them with a oil based stain that will soak into the wood.

  • Mogie Mogie on Jul 23, 2019

    I agree with Kathy about using stain instead of paint. The stain will be absorbed by the railroad ties.

  • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Jul 26, 2019

    Yes, real railroad ties are creosote soaked and no paint will stick to them.

    It’s going to take a lot of stain to make this work. I would buy a paint/stain sprayer.