If you have any, fences, railings, outdoor furniture, swings or even a fire escape made of iron, and then it is important that you maintain it well since the effects of nature can be detrimental to the health and sheen of your ferrous items. A little care will go a long way in keeping your ferrous items rust-free and fresh for many years to come.
A detailed inspection once a year is necessary but if you are living in a coastal area then once every six months is even better. Examine the surface of your ironwork and look for peeling paint, paint with bubbles formed underneath and rust. In case the original paint is in good condition and has not peeled off or formed bubbles, then you can lightly sand it off. There is no need to apply any primer in this case. You can directly apply paint on this surface, but if the exterior damage is more and if you can see rust and peeled paint everywhere, then it could be time to bring in the heavy guns. You will need to completely remove the old paint and primer and reach out to the bare metal. Use sandblasting or powered wire brushing or flame cleaning methods to remove the old paint right to the bare metal. In case there is too much rust, which cannot be removed, then you will need to use special chemicals available in the market, which upon application changes the rust to harmless iron phosphate.
Once your surface is sanded and cleaned, it is time to apply the primer. A metal primer is important since it prevents rust from forming and prepares the iron surface for painting in order to get the perfect finish. Depending on the paint type and finish, which you require, you will need to choose the matching primer in order to get the perfect combination. You can have a choice from acrylic gloss or alkyd gloss enamel or even oil paint for your final finish. If the wear and tear on the ferrous work is less, then you can opt for an acrylic paint, which maintains a gloss finish for a long time and has fewer odors. It can also be applied very easily and dries quickly.
For a surface with more wear and tear you could go in for an oil or alkyd paint, which will need to be thinned with a matching paint thinner or even turpentine. Accordingly, you can either go in for a zinc chromate or a fast drying metal primer to match your paint finish.
Depending on the paint type and finish, which you require, you will need to choose the matching primer in order to get the perfect combination. You can have a choice from acrylic gloss or alkyd gloss enamel or even oil paint for your final finish. If the wear and tear on the ferrous work is less, then you can opt for an acrylic paint, which maintains a gloss finish for a long time and has fewer odors. It can also be applied very easily and dries quickly.
For a surface with more wear and tear you could go in for an oil or alkyd paint, which will need to be thinned with a matching paint thinner or even turpentine. Accordingly, you can either go in for a zinc chromate or a fast drying metal primer to match your paint finish.
