Are you getting ready to paint your iron fence? Proper fence preparation is essential in order to ensure that the paint will adhere properly to the iron. Without good preparation, you run the risk of the paint not applying correctly, or applying in uneven streaks. Learn how to prepare your iron fence for painting in this week’s blog.
Preparing an Iron Fence for Painting
First, you’ll need a wire brush. Using the wire brush, scrub the fence to remove rust. This is key. Painting over rust might seem like an easy way out, but in the end it will only result in a bad paint job. Instead of a wire brush, you can also use a drill and wire wheel attachment for this step, as well as the next one.
Next, use a medium-grit sandpaper to sand the surface of the iron fence. The goal of this is to remove all of the paint on the fence. You want the fresh coat to adhere to the iron itself, and not to the paint.
Once you’ve finished sanding, wipe off any filings or shavings with a clean, dry rag.
Now, the fence is ready for primer. But first, you should cover the area around the fence with a tarp. This is to protect your grass, gardens, windows, steps, etc. from any primer or paint.
Next, apply a rust-inhibiting primer to the iron. You can choose either a liquid or aerosol primer. For iron fences, aerosols are generally the better choice, because the intricate iron work makes applying liquid primer evenly with a brush difficult. Make sure to use eye protection as well as a face mask to avoid inhaling any aerosol fumes. Let the primer dry according to the instructions on the can.
Finally, you can paint the fence. Choose an exterior rust-inhibing enamel paint, again, either liquid or aerosol. You’ll also want to make sure you choose a finish that is compatible with the direct-to-metal primer you used. To prevent running with the aerosol paint, hold the can 2-4 inches from the fence.
Hercules Custom Iron has more than 70 years of experience crafting ornamental iron and quality aluminum in its in-house manufacturing facility. Contact Us today to learn more about how we can help you with your next custom iron, specialty metal or aluminum project! Also, be sure to follow Hercules Custom Iron on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn!