Steps to Prepare a Wrought Iron Fence and Railing for Paint

Wrought iron fencing looks extremely pretty and also offers a considerable amount of protection to a property. It might be a little bit more expensive when compared with other types of fencing, but it offers a number of additional benefits as well. However, the only issue is that maintaining a wrought iron fence is not as simple as it looks.

Over the passage of time, the paint on the wrought iron fence will continue to deteriorate. Because the fence is constantly exposed to the elements outside, the paint will continue to peel off over time. You will need to paint the wrought iron fencing at least once every couple of years if you want to maintain the curb appeal of your place. However, before applying a fresh coat of paint, you will need to prepare the wrought iron fence. Here are a series of steps that you should follow to prepare the fence for painting.

Removing Old Paint and Rust

The first step is to remove old and peeling paint from the wrought iron fence, as well as any signs of rust that you may notice. You can do this by manually sanding the wrought iron fence or by using a sandblaster. There are a number of paint and rust removers available in the market as well, so you can also use those to help get the job done. It is important that you first remove the old paint and the rust from the wrought iron fencing before you apply new paint, as doing so can help prevent the paint from peeling and chipping over time.

Use Medium Grit Sandpaper

You have to make sure that you use medium-grit sandpaper when sanding wrought iron fencing. This will ensure that any chipped or peeling paint is removed from the wrought iron fence and will leave behind a rough surface to which the new paint can adhere.

Use a Clean, Dry Rag

Next, you need to wipe the wrought iron fence clean using a dry rag. Make sure you cover every little bit of exposed area to ensure that the surface is smooth and ready for a fresh coat of paint.

Cover the Surrounding Area

Before you start applying primer or a fresh coat of paint to the fence, you need to cover the surrounding area. You can use an old cloth or preferably tarp to cover the surrounding area and ensure that you don’t get the paint on the exposed surfaces. Make sure you properly cover any surrounding plants and steps. Before you cover the greenery in the surroundings, you should mist them lightly with water as well.

Use a Rust-Inhibitive Primer

If you don’t want the wrought iron fence to start rusting after a short while, you should consider applying a rust-inhibitive primer on it. Once you are done with the primer, you can then apply a rust-inhibitive enamel paint on the primer to complete the painting process.

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Jeff Sommers

Jeff Sommers is a vibrant and experienced professional, having been at the helm of ESP Painting, Inc. for 27 remarkable years. As President, he has become an esteemed leader in the Commercial & Residential Construction industry in Oregon, United States. His experience has seen him gain valuable insight and knowledge, making him an invaluable asset to ESP Painting and its customers. With a bubbly personality and upbeat attitude, Jeff always looks ahead to the future as he continues his leadership journey toward success.