Prepare a Wrought Iron Fence for Painting

Decorative wrought iron fences are beautiful and sturdy, and can add an air of elegance to your home or garden. However, constant exposure to the elements can do quite a bit of damage to the iron surface. Applying a fresh coat of paint, as needed, will decrease the appearance of rust and keep your fence looking beautiful. In order to successfully paint a wrought iron fence, you will need to properly prepare the metal surface and surrounding area. Read the article below for instructions on how to prepare a wrought iron fence for painting.

Steps

  1. Scrub the fence gently with a wire brush to remove all traces of rust. You may choose to use a wire wheel attachment on your cordless drill to speed up the process.
  2. Sand the wrought iron surface using medium-grit sandpaper. This will remove any chipped or peeling paint and will provide a rough surface for the paint to adhere to. It will also remove any deteriorating paint if you used a drill and wire wheel attachment for the previous step.
  3. Wipe down the wrought iron with a clean, dry rag.
  4. Cover items in the surrounding area with a tarp or drop cloth to protect them from the primer and paint. Take special care to protect steps, windows and plants. Dampen the greenery in flower beds or landscape gardens with a light mist of water before covering them.
  5. Apply a rust-inhibitive primer to the entire wrought iron surface. Made-for-metal primers come in liquid and aerosol form and can be found in most hardware stores. An aerosol primer is the better choice for thorough coverage if your fence has intricate scroll work.
  6. Allow the primer to dry fully per the manufacturer's instructions. Typically, most direct-to-metal primers will require 1-to-3 hours of curing time.
  7. Apply an exterior rust-inhibitive enamel paint over the fully cured primer. Again, the paint will come in either liquid or aerosol form, so choose the type that is appropriate for your project. If using aerosol paint, hold the can approximately 3-to-{{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} away from the fence to reduce drips.

Tips

  • Ensure that the direct-to-metal primer and finish coat are compatible for optimal paint coverage and longevity.

Things You'll Need

  • Wire brush
  • Cordless drill
  • Wire wheel drill attachment
  • Rag
  • Sandpaper
  • Primer
  • Paint
  • Painting materials
  • Drop cloth

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Sources and Citations

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