Wrought iron furniture restoration (painting)

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  • OVERALL DIFFICULTY INDEX: 3/10
  • IF YOU HAVE NO TOOLS, YOU PAY $100 TO GET THEM FOR THIS JOB
  • IF YOU HAVE NO EXPERIENCE YOU SPEND 3 HOURS TO CARRY OUT THIS JOB
  • YOU SHOULD OBSERVE SAFETY RULES FOR GRINDING AND SPRAY PAINTING
DISCLAIMER:
Our pictorials are of informative nature and do illustrate works carried out by ourselves at our own premises for our own use and satisfaction.
Readers who envisage to carry out similar works inspired by the below method shall do this at their own risks and liability.
BEFORE YOU START
  • Personal Protective Equipment is mandatory for this job. Eye and ear protectors, good dust and paint masks are needed.
  • The job is technically easy but quite tiring.
  • Spray paint can only be done in an open area. 
  • ​We did use zinc rich spray paint, that requires no primer. If you're using acrylic or enamel aerosol cans, then you must apply a coat of zinc-rich primer before proceeding with the paint. You may apply the primer with a brush if you have no spray painting equipment.

Wrought iron and cast iron furniture rust

This set of iron furniture suffers from normal surface corrosion that builds up with time. 
Because it is made of plain iron , it can be easily cleaned and painted with a durable finish that will last 5 years.  
Make sure to use safety goggles,  ear protectors and disposable dust masks during the below described rust removal methods.

Rust removal from wrought iron furniture using a power drill wire brush

You can manage without power tool but the drill will help removing the rust deeper and faster.   
​A disc steel wire brush or cup wire brush is to be fitted to the power drill and the drill speed is adjusted to the one that gives the best results.

Always hold the power drill in manner that the brush hits the metal with an angle. 
​Grind the metal with the brush until rust is removed and the iron shows below the paint.  

Rust removal from iron furniture using an angle grinder

If your wrought iron furniture is flat and its legs made of steel profiles like this patio table, then better to use the angle grinder to remove the rust.

Last stage of furniture rust removal: hand brush

Complete with a metal brush in areas where both the drill and angle grinder did not reach.  ​

See also our other tutorials in relation with furniture paint...

...and buy your drill wire brushes from our partners' stores: