Wrought iron fencing often has intricate detailing and exudes old world charm.
Wrought iron is typically coated with several layers of black paint for decorative purposes and to protect it from rust. Removing paint from a wrought iron fence is not a simple project for the occasional do-it-yourselfer. The paint is best removed by sandblasting or gritblasting, which requires skill and special equipment and is regulated in some municipalities. Another effective method for paint removal is chemical stripping, but be prepared: chemical stripping is somewhat messy and is both time- and labor-intensive. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Put on protective gloves. Apply a chemical stripper to the fence according to the manufacturer's directions.
2. Use a stiff wire brush to scrape off any paint that remains in deep crevices. The chemical stripper should remove most of the paint, but the wire brush may be needed for stubborn areas or areas with intricate detailing.
3. Saturate a cloth with mineral spirits and wipe down the fence to remove any remaining small bits of paint and rust.
4. Apply a coating of rust inhibitor according to the manufacturer's directions. Once the paint has been removed from wrought iron, it is subject to rusting until it is recoated.
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