How should you maintain shutters and metal gates near the Algarve coast?

Look where water and movement concentrate

On shutters, inspect lower edges, end grain, hinges, joints and areas that rub. On gates and railings, check welds, bolts, sharp edges, bases and horizontal sections where water remains.

Fading is mainly cosmetic; blistering, open joints, exposed timber and active rust show loss of protection. Photograph the whole element and the earliest failures.

Prepare for the actual material

Ferrous metal, aluminium, galvanised metal and timber require different preparation and primers. Loose rust and failed paint must be removed to the standard required by the selected system, while sound old coating should be tested for adhesion and compatibility.

Timber may need repairs, drying and attention to end grain before coating. Product instructions decide sanding, primer, number of coats and recoat time; a universal shortcut is unlikely to suit every surface.

• Identify timber, ferrous or non-ferrous metal
• Check moving parts before painting them closed
• Protect stone, glass, walls and nearby plants
• Choose colour and sheen after the protective system

Use a repeatable inspection cycle

Coastal exposure varies by distance from the sea, orientation and shelter, so fixed intervals are less useful than a dated visual record. Inspect after winter weather and before the hottest months, repeating the same photographs.

Treat early edge failure and isolated rust before it spreads. Deep corrosion, loose fixings, distorted gates or rotten timber may require fabrication or joinery rather than paint alone.