Cast iron
rusts over time, but you can remove rust.
Cast iron is a tough and durable metal that was often used to make fireplaces and stoves in older homes. Although less frequently used in modern times, many homes still have cast-iron fixtures. Some of these may have been there for many decades or even centuries, and have been painted over. They may also have started to rust. It is possible to restore these fixtures back to their original metal finish (or prepare them for repainting) by stripping the paint and the rust from the iron. This involves some harsh chemicals, time and hard work. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Removing Paint From Cast Iron
1. Sandblast the iron item. Blasting with abrasive grit is the fastest way to remove thick layers of paint. Avoid pressures higher than 100 pounds per square inch, and do not use copper-based aggregates, as they may react with the iron. You should also avoid very sharp or hard aggregates; sand or iron slag are the best choices. You can rent a sandblaster from most home-improvement stores.
2. Apply a chemical paint-remover such as methylene chloride or potassium hydroxide. These are strongly alkaline compounds, so wear gloves and goggles when applying them. They are often available in a paste or gel that you can spread over the painted areas; use a putty knife and a brush to work them into cracks and crevices. Let the remover sit on the paint for as long as the instructions on the package dictate.
3. Wipe the paint and paint remover off of the iron using a rag or a scouring pad. Remove all of the paint remover, as leftover traces will weaken paint you apply later.
4. Paint the iron item with an anti-corrosive primer immediately after cleaning and drying it to prevent the surface from rusting.
Stripping Rust From Cast Iron
5. Wipe down the rusted surface with mineral spirits. Dab the spirits on a rag and rub the iron. This will cut through any wax or sealant on top of the rust.
6. Scrub rusted areas with steel wool or a piece of 400-grit wet-or-dry sandpaper wrapped around a wooden block.
7. Wipe down the areas you have scrubbed with a clean rag to remove the rust and dirt that that the steel wool has loosened.
8. Dry the areas you scrubbed thoroughly before applying any paint, polish or other products to them. This will avoid trapping water underneath their surfaces, where it will rust the iron again.
Tags: Cast iron, Cast Iron, From Cast, From Cast Iron, have been, iron item
