Download Commodity

Download Article

Do you have a cast-iron or wrought-iron railing, gate, or debate that's seen better days? It's easy to transform that rusty old metal and so it looks brand-new with a few simple steps. Though cast iron and wrought iron are produced differently, they're both susceptible to rust and can be painted the same way.[ane] We'll show you how to prep the metal, walk y'all through the priming process, and tell you the best paint for cast iron. Read on for our consummate guide to painting cast fe hands at home.

  1. 1

    Work outside and put on safety gear. With all the chemicals and paints you'll be using plus the sanding and rust yous might accept to deal with, a well-ventilated space is a must. To protect yourself, wear chemical-resistant gloves, heart protection, and a respirator when using solvents, sanding, or painting.[ii]

    • If yous tin't work outdoors, open up your windows and turn on fans to ventilate the space.
    • Some onetime cast-iron fences or gates might be coated with lead paint. Wear protective gear and wash your easily after touching it to protect yourself.

  2. 2

    Clean the bandage atomic number 26 with a clammy fabric. Wipe down the metal to remove any clay, dust, or debris. For larger pieces of cast iron, you lot tin can spray the metallic with water, just you lot'll have to let it dry earlier you move on to the next step. If the bandage iron is very dirty or stained, wipe it downwards with a rag dipped in mineral spirits.[3]

    • Be certain to wear gloves, goggles, and a respirator when using mineral spirits on cast iron.[4]

    Advertisement

  3. 3

    Remove rust from the cast iron with a wire brush. [v] It'due south essential to remove the rust so the paint volition stick to the metal. Put on gloves, goggles, and a respirator to protect yourself. Then employ a wire brush to scrub off the rust. This part tin take some time, but just keep at information technology—information technology'll be worth it in the long run.[6]

    • To make quick work of rust removal, use a wire castor zipper on a cordless drill.[7]
    • Y'all tin can also use a sandblaster or rust-removing chemical product instead. Even so, these options are more likely to damage the cast fe and are best left to professionals.

  4. 4

    Sand the cast iron to remove existing pigment. [viii] Sanding is especially of import if the paint is glossy—you've got to become rid of it for another coat of paint to stick. Go over the metallic with coarse sandpaper before moving to fine-grit sandpaper. A wire brush or cycle can as well work to remove paint.[nine]

    • For stubborn pigment, endeavor 40- to fifty-grit sandpaper. To smooth out the metal, stop with 120- to 220-grit sandpaper.[10]
    • Make certain you lot wear a respirator, middle protection, and gloves when sanding away any rust or paint.

  5. 5

    Rinse the cast iron and let it dry. Have a hose and spray down the metallic to remove any remaining rust, paint flakes, or grit. If y'all're working with a smaller slice of cast iron, you can wipe it down with a clammy rag, instead. Give the metal time to dry completely earlier yous move on to priming and painting.[xi]

    Advertisement

  1. 1

    Coat the cast iron with oil-based primer. Priming the metallic creates a smooth surface and will assist the pigment adhere. Choose an oil-based primer designed for use on metal that contains a rust-inhibitor.[12] Take your time and brand certain you lot cover the entire surface in a low-cal, even coat.[13]

    • Mask whatsoever areas you don't want to paint and lay downwardly plastic or dropcloths beneath and surrounding the cast atomic number 26 particular to protect the surround from overspray.
    • To spray on the primer, shake the tin can vigorously and and then apply the primer in sweeping side-to-side motions.
    • Alternatively, apply a paintbrush or thick-napped roller to utilize the primer to the cast fe.

  2. 2

    Allow the primer dry completely. This can take anywhere from 2 to 24 hours and is a very important step. If you attempt to apply paint before the primer is dry, you could pull the paint off the surface with your brush or roller.[xiv]

  3. 3

    Use oil-based paint to the cast atomic number 26. [15] Use the same technique you used with the primer. Either spray paint the metallic in fifty-fifty, overlapping strokes or use a brush or thick-napped roller to apply the paint.[16]

    • If you're painting a railing or ornate object, use a small castor to push the paint into the nooks and crannies.

  4. 4

    Paint the cast iron with a second glaze in one case it's dry. [17] Allow the first coat of paint to dry completely earlier applying the second one.[xviii] This tin can take as long as 24 hours, depending on the pigment. Subsequently y'all stop your second glaze, y'all're done! Just allow the pigment cure and enjoy your revitalized bandage iron.

    Advertising

Add New Question

  • Question

    What is the all-time way to pigment pipes?

    Andre Kazimierski

    Andre Kazimierski is a Painting Specialist and the Founder and CEO of Improovy, an on-need business firm painting service startup. With more than than fifteen years of feel, Andre and the Improovy team use data and engineering to streamline the dwelling improvement process for homeowners and painting contractors. Andre started in the painting industry as a sophomore at Depaul University in Chicago, working with i of the nation'southward largest painting companies to launch new cities and territories beyond the Midwest. Years afterward, he started third Gen Painting and Remodeling and had a successful exit after growing the company to two different states.

    Andre Kazimierski

    Painting Specialist

    Proficient Reply

    Prime it with oil, because oil is non breathable and will go on the h2o out. So, pigment it with a prissy glossy oil paint. The primer protects the metallic and the paint protects the primer, so that's a neat combination.

  • Question

    Later priming and painting the cast iron object, does it need some kind of protectant over it? If and then, what do you propose?

    wikiHow Staff Editor

    This answer was written past one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accurateness and comprehensiveness.

    wikiHow Staff Editor

    wikiHow Staff Editor

    Staff Answer

    No, y'all do not have to seal the cast iron one time it's been painted. Oil-based paint will protect the metallic.

  • Question

    I take a brand new pinkish cast iron bench practise I need to strip it or prime number it to pigment green

    wikiHow Staff Editor

    This answer was written past one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

    wikiHow Staff Editor

    wikiHow Staff Editor

    Staff Reply

    If the pigment is sleeky, yous'll need to rough information technology up with sandpaper and prime it before painting it. If it's matte and doesn't accept any chips, you can merely prime it before painting.

  • Question

    I have a metallic primer to apply on my black bandage iron fireplace. Tin can I use a water-based satin woods pigment after the primer or is information technology ameliorate to utilize an oil-based paint?

    wikiHow Staff Editor

    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

    wikiHow Staff Editor

    wikiHow Staff Editor

    Staff Answer

    Oil-based paint designed for use on metal is best for cast-iron items. Avert using h2o-based paint made for wood on cast iron.

  • Question

    I have a rusty, outdoor cast fe ornament. Tin can I apply these steps with it?

    Community Answer

    Why not? As long as your outdoor ornament is made with cast atomic number 26, and so the steps in this article should work fine.

  • Question

    If I apply spray paint on cast iron, can I apply oil-based primer?

    Community Answer

    Yeah! Merely make sure that the primer dries fully before applying oil-based pigment. H2o and oil don't react well together.

  • Question

    What is the best brush to use for oil-based paint?

    Community Answer

    For oil-based paints, well-nigh professionals choose a natural China bristle (pig hair) paint castor. If you lot are painting a polish surface with oil-based paint, a natural white bristle paint brush is your best choice, because information technology is soft and supple.

  • Question

    Which pigment and primer practice you recommend for porcelain coated cast iron BBQ grills?

    Community Answer

    Y'all can't paint over porcelain, it'due south basically drinking glass, information technology needs to be blasted off the surface. Yous can consult a sand blaster and see if they would do it for you, only it would probably exist easier and cheaper to merely get new cast grills.

  • Question

    I take a bakery's rack frame that is bumpy and looks like bandage iron. Tin can I clean and spray pigment it to make it smoothen?

    Community Answer

    You can make clean and spray paint it, but that might not make information technology wait more smooth.

  • Question

    I accept an quondam bandage fe cider press. Is there a paint that would be food-safe to apply on the inside of the apple and fruit bin on the printing?

    Community Answer

    Effort Null-VOC pigment. Information technology has little to no toxins so information technology would probably be safety for the cider printing.

Show more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your electronic mail address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertizement

  • Habiliment quondam apparel that you don't listen getting dirty.

  • At that place's no need to apply a sealant on top of the paint.

Advert

  • E'er wear a respirator while working with chemicals, sanding, priming, and painting.

  • If you're painting an object that conducts heat, such as a cast atomic number 26 radiator, choose paint specifically designed to withstand high heat.

Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • Goggles or protective eyewear
  • Chemical-resistant gloves
  • Respirator
  • Cloths or rags
  • Mineral spirits (optional)
  • H2o
  • Wire brush
  • Sandpaper
  • Oil-based metal primer
  • Oil-based paint
  • Paintbrush or roller

References

About This Article

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 235,798 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Carol Charles

    Carol Charles

    Jul 24, 2020

    "I am going to be painting a very old chophouse table and ii chairs, then I was looking for some advice and I have been..." more

Did this article help you?