Paint Cast Iron

Cast iron can be painted with an oil-based metal primer and paint. If the iron is rusty or has been previously painted, the rust or paint should be removed before new painting is begun. Oil-based painting can be messy and the paint can take several hours to dry. Spray-paint can also be applied to cast iron. Use these steps to paint cast iron.

Steps

  1. Remove any rust on the cast iron. You may be able to use a wire brush to scrub off the rust. A sandblaster or rust-removing chemical products can also be used if you need to take off a lot of rust and are not worried about possible damage to the cast iron.
    • Wear proper safety equipment if working with a power tool or chemical to remove the rust. This may include gloves, goggles and a respirator.
  2. Sand away or otherwise remove existing paint. The sanding can be done lightly. Gather up and properly discard chipped or peeling paint, which could be lead-based.
  3. Clean the cast iron. Remove any dirt, dust, stains, or other items such as cobwebs. You may need a brush to clean the cast iron.
  4. Wear old clothes to paint in. You may need to throw away the clothes after painting the cast iron.
  5. Prepare a painting surface in an outdoor or well-ventilated area. Use a flat surface or material to collect dripped paint as you work. A table or drop cloth material may be possible options.
  6. Keep a clean rag and mineral spirits near your work area. Use the rag to clean your hands while you paint. The spirits can clean your painting tools and thin your paint.
  7. Coat bare or unpainted cast iron with primer. Choose an oil-based primer. Follow the primer's directions for how many coats you need. Allow time for a coat of primer to dry before applying another if necessary.
  8. Apply oil-based paint to the cast iron. Dip 1/4-inch (0.63 cm) of your paintbrush into the paint at a time. This will help prevent less paint from running and dripping off the brush.
    • Give the iron 2 coats of paint. Wait 24 hours for the first coat of paint to dry before applying the second one.

Tips

  • If painting an object that conducts heat, such as a cast iron radiator, paint with a metallic finish conducts less heat than matte paint.
  • Try buying primer, paint and cleaning and painting supplies for your cast iron object(s) at a hardware store.
  • Use high-heat spray paint as an alternative to oil-based paint. Smoothly keep the can of spray paint moving as you work to ensure an even coating.
  • You may be able to spray cast iron radiators or other detailed cast iron objects with a primer and then spray on paint after the primer has dried.
  • Consider hiring a professional to sandblast rust or remove paint from your cast iron.

Warnings

  • Wear a respirator while spraying primer and paint.

Things You'll Need

  • Hardware store
  • Wire brush
  • Sandblaster
  • Rust-removing products
  • Cleaning rags or brushes
  • Safety equipment
  • Old clothes
  • Painting surface
  • Clean rag
  • Mineral spirits
  • Paintbrush
  • Oil-based metal primer
  • Oil-based paint

Sources and Citations

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