Best Ways to Paint Wrought Iron

Clean the metal with a vinegar/water solution (50/50) or use water with a mild detergent and a scrub brush or rag to remove dirt and grime. Use a bleach/water solution or a commercial mold remover to remove any mold or mildew.

You need to remove both the old paint and rust for new coats of paint to adhere properly. Keep in mind that you don’t have to remove every bit of the old paint. The surface just needs to be free of loose flakes of paint and other debris. Sanding and scraping the surface also “raises” the surface a bit for better paint adhesion.

You can remove both rust and paint using a stiff wire brush or an electric drill equipped with a sanding pad and abrasive discs. Emery cloths (cloth-backed abrasive sheets) can be used when there is minimal rust. Emery cloths work well because they are sturdier and easier to use than sandpaper on items such as railings or fences because of their flexibility. Paint scrapers come in handy as well. Remove sanding dust as you go.

Safety Alert!

Wear a tight-fitting dust mask, safety goggles, and appropriate clothing that covers your skin while you sand and scrape away paint.

Use Naval Jelly rust dissolver to ease removal of any remnants of rust on the metal. When applying, always follow the manufacturer's instructions on the label. After it has dried, wipe the surface down with a rag to remove any leftover dust or debris. You should see bare metal where the rust has been removed.

Spray wrought iron with a primer made specifically for metals, such as True Value X-O Rust rust-inhibiting primer. Aerosol primer and paint often provide the best, smoothest coverage results on metal, however; it may be necessary in some areas to apply metal primer with a brush. For best results, apply two coats. When spraying, "back-brush" (painting over just-applied paint before it begins to dry) to work the paint into the surface so it will adhere better and smooth out any drips. Allow the primer to dry thoroughly for at least 24 hours. Primer does not always feel wet or tacky before it is completely dry.

Helpful Tip

After using aerosol primer (or paint), tip the can upside down and depress the nozzle for a few seconds until paint stops coming out. Next, wipe off the nozzle with a cloth. This prevents the nozzle from being clogged the next time you use the can.

Spray on a coat of True Value XO-Rust rust-inhibiting paint or apply it using a small to medium-sized paintbrush. Spray painting gets the job done fast and provides excellent coverage and a smooth finish. Hold the can about 8 to 12 inches from the object you're painting and keep the can moving to avoid excess paint that can drip. Apply several light coats. If you've painted furniture, let the paint dry for at least 24 hours before using.

Helpful Tips

For best results, apply a second coat of paint within 1 hour of applying the first coat.

In most cases, using True Value X-O Rust spray paint allows you to skip priming because it is formulated to be a paint and primer in one.

Great job! Your wrought iron pieces look good as new.