Wooden beds are well-suited for new finishes, because they are porous. Unfortunately, iron beds are nonporous. This trait leaves them ill-suited for new finishes. If you apply a brand new finish directly over an under-prepared iron bed, heavy flaking will ultimately ensue. Condition your old iron bed with a special acidic base coat before you paint, or expect finish failure at some point in the future. Once the iron is primed, it will take a painted finish. Apply a particular type of paint, renowned for its impressive durability, or the finish may fade and crack, over time.
Instructions
1. Remove bedding and take the bed outdoors.
2. Wash the old iron bed with steel wool and a water-based soap. Rinse the bed, using wet rags. Allow the iron to dry for two hours.
3. Use masking paper and professional painter's tape to cover portions of the bed that are to remain unpainted.
4. Coat the clean iron bed with self-etching primer, using a two-to-three inch polyester paintbrush. Do not use an ordinary base primer. Brush with long strokes, applying light pressure. Allow the iron to dry for three hours.
5. Use clean water to rinse self-etching primer from the polyester brush.
6. Coat the primed iron bed with acrylic enamel, using the polyester paintbrush. Brush with long strokes, applying light pressure. Allow the iron to dry for three hours.
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