An antique iron bed frame is a valuable investment. One you should take care to preserve. Iron has been used for bed frames since the mid 19th century and until World War One, every bed frame was made by hand. Iron has been popular for over a century because it is extremely durable. If you have an antique iron bed frame that has seen better days, you can make it look like new with just a little TLC. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Go over rusted areas with a steel bristled brush, scrubbing vigorously so that rust flakes off.
2. Sand the surface of the bed frame using medium grit sand paper.
3. Spray on phosphoric acid. Phosphoric acid will target any rust that you have missed or couldn't reach and will turn it into a crust of iron phosphate. Allow the acid to penetrate the surface of the bed frame for 24 hours to fully react with any remaining rust. When applying the phosphoric acid, be sure to protect your eyes, nose and mouth.
4. Use your steel bristled brush to remove the iron phosphate. Evaluate the condition of your bed frame. If you want to preserve its natural state, skip steps 5 and 6.
5. Prime your iron bed frame with oil base metal primer. Oil based primers can be very messy. If possible, move your bed frame onto a drop cloth outside.
6. Paint the antique bed frame with an oil based metal paint. Black is the traditional choice but you can choose any color. When selecting your paint, keep in mind that shiny finishes will be more durable than flat finishes
7. If you chose not to paint your bed frame, apply a coat of metal polish. Williams Metal Stove Polish works well and will give your antique iron a glossier finish than the bare metal. It will also help protect the iron from rust.
Tags: iron frame, your frame, antique iron, antique iron frame, bristled brush