Cleaning wrought iron can range from easy maintenance to sanding and painting.
Wrought iron is an attractive material used for decorative and security purposes around many homes. Although wrought iron can last for decades with minimal upkeep, it must be maintained to keep it looking clean and help extend its longevity. Following some basic tips on cleaning wrought iron will help your decorative metal look good for as long as you have it. Does this Spark an idea?
Keep Rust Off
Wrought iron, by nature, will develop rust eventually. Rust will weaken the metal and ruin its looks. Keeping your wrought iron in good shape will require occasional rust removal. This type of cleaning takes some effort.
Use a wire brush to scrape away the majority of the rust. Some of it is likely to be left behind and may have penetrated deep into the metal. If this is the case, use a rough sandpaper such as 80-grit to sand away the remaining rust, according to HousekeepingChannel.com. Go over the sanded iron again with a finer-grit paper and buff it all out with steel wool. When you have the metal back to this condition, it is ready for protecting and painting.
Rust Inhibitor
While your wrought iron may not have been sealed with a rust inhibitor the first time it was finished, there is no reason not to do it now. Rustproof paints are available at most paint stores and are used as a primer coat before painting on a glossy topcoat. Some rust inhibitors are also gloss enamel and layered over the final coat of paint to seal out the oxidation.
Paint
The better the paint you use, the longer it is likely to last. Using a high-quality exterior paint suitable for use on metal is important. Unless the wrought iron is fairly flat with minimal design curves, making it easy to brush, it is best to use a paint sprayer to cover the wrought iron evenly. Trying to brush intricate designs in wrought iron could end in a mess for the average novice painter.
Never try to seal the iron with a rust inhibitor until the paint has had at least 24 hours to completely dry.
Regular Cleaning
When the rust is gone and the new paint is on the wrought iron, cleaning this material is simple. It is a good idea to keep corrosive buildup off the iron to extend the time it maintains it proper appearance. When the time comes, just use a sponge with warm, soapy water and wipe down the wrought iron on a regular basis. Rinse it with clear water.
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