Restore wrought iron furniture
How to Restore Metal Garden Furniture
From priming to painting tips, here's what a professional restorer says to do.
Caroline Biggs, Freelance Writer portrait
By Caroline Biggs June 17, 2020
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green metal bench in garden
Credit: Jacky Parker Photography / Getty Images
Your old metal garden furniture is teeming with restoration potential, it just takes a little work. That's why when you find that your favorite piece of outdoor furniture is beginning to rust, chip, or show signs of aging, it pays to know what to do to help bring it back to its original integrity. "At a certain point, if left unattended to, rust can eventually compromise the structural stability of the furniture," explains Jane Henry of Jane Henry Studios, a full-service antique conservation and restoration shop based in New York City. "This is most often caught on the underside of furniture, where the moisture can collect in the nuts or rivets that hold the furniture together."
Looking for advice on how to restore (and maintain) your aluminum and wrought iron garden furniture, so you won't have to ever bid it adieu? We asked Henry to take us through the step-by-step process, and here's what she had to say.
Plan for prep work.
Henry says the first step to successfully restoring metal garden furniture is to handle all of the prep work ahead of time. "Scraping off any loose paint, going over the whole surface, as you can't always see what is loose," she says. "Follow scraping with a wire brush and applying a lot of elbow grease will ensure that you get into all of the crevices, and lift any rust out of the pits and divots. Next, use sandpaper to level out the chips and remove any extra loose paint. Once done, wipe with a tack cloth, and either clean with a solvent, such as acetone or wash with a degreaser or detergent, rinse, and let dry overnight.
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Don't skip the priming step.
Once you've prepped your metal outdoor furniture, Henry says to prime the piece with a high-quality rust preventive spray primer, such as Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Spray Paint Primer ($4.27, amazon.com). "Choose a white primer for lighter colors and a dark primer for darker ones," she says. "Spray slowly at an 8-to-12-inch distance, in a consistent spray pattern, lengthwise along each section, to avoid drips and overspray. Remember to treat the back and underside since outdoor furniture can collect moisture and condensation in the crannies." After applying two to three light coats of primer, allowing the primer to dry between each coat, she suggests lightly sanding the piece with very fine sandpaper and wiping it off with a non-wax tack cloth to remove the dust.
Apply the right kind of paint.
When it comes time to paint your metal furniture, Henry recommends choosing an exterior-grade latex or oil-based paint for brushing, or an exterior grade spray paint specific to metal, such as Krylon Fusion All-In-One Spray Paint ($9.
14, amazon.com) and Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Metallic Spray Paint ($6, amazon.com). "My advice is to stay clear of high gloss paints unless you are prepared to do sanding in between each coat," she says. "Don't forget to follow recommended re-coat times on each product, as times vary widely between products."
Add a protective coat.
If you aren't applying a protective enamel finish to your painted metal furniture, Henry says you're doing it wrong. "A final clear coat of oil-based urethane will provide added durability and help prevent future damage to the furniture," she says. She recommends sticking with an oil-based enamel, versus a water-based one, since they last longer and often create a brighter finish.
Maintenance matters.
No matter how well you restore it, Henry says proper maintenance is key to extending the life of your metal outdoor furniture. "Use plastic covers on your wrought iron furniture when you're not using it to protect it from the elements or bring your furniture inside to prevent rust buildup," she says.
She also suggests keeping paint on hand for quick and easy touch-ups. "When you see something, take care of it immediately before it becomes a bigger problem," she advises.
How to Refinish and Repair Wrought Iron Patio Furniture
Do you own a set or even a piece or two of beloved wrought iron furniture in your backyard or on your patio or deck? If it has seen better days, take heart. There are easy and economical ways to make it look brand new again. Here is your guide on how to refinish and repair wrought iron patio furniture.
Problems with Wrought Iron FurnitureOutdoor furnishings made from wrought iron are some of the most beautiful and durable pieces you can buy. However, 1960’s wrought iron patio furniture is prone to issues. For instance, if left out in the elements, antique wrought iron patio furniture tends to rust. The finish can also get chipped, flaked, or cracked. Dust and dirt can accumulate in the intricate grooves and curls of the design for which vintage wrought iron patio furniture is best known.
The best practice is to keep your antique wrought iron patio furniture safe from rain, sleet, and salt spray and ensure it stays clean with a regular spray from a hose, then let it dry in the sun.
Your vintage wrought iron patio furniture may no longer be as sturdy as it once was. If the joints have become loose and the welds cracked or soft, you may wish to repair them. Welding the broken parts is the only real solution to this problem. If you have training in arc welding, you can certainly perform this repair yourself. It requires nickel melted into the join from both front and back. If this is not a process with which you are comfortable, it makes sense to take your 1960’s wrought iron patio furniture to a shop where the joints can be strengthened.
If you live in the southern California area and don’t have the time for a DIY refinishing, give us a call! Select from lots of different powder coating colors.
No job too big or too small.
First things first, determine if your furnishings are made out of wrought iron; this video about how to identify wrought iron will tell you how. If your antique wrought iron patio furniture has been painted, as much of those pieces have been, another step in restoration is refinishing it. This process starts by removing the existing finish, down to the bare metal via sanding or the use of a chemical rust remover or rotary brush tool. Ensure that the metal is impeccably clean, then apply a metal surface primer. Next, apply a couple of coats of paint made specifically for vintage wrought iron patio furniture. Finally, finish it off with a clear topcoat so all your work lasts for a long time.
How to Refurbish Wrought Iron Patio FurnitureGoing beyond repair and refinish is a complete refurbishment of your outdoor patio furniture. This would include going over each piece looking for corrosion, breaks, and nicks in the surface.
A stiff brush, mild cleaning solution, and a strong spray of water will help immensely. Finish with steel wool to remove rust particles and application of a thin coat of car wax to fill in nicks and scratches. You may also wish to replace the upholstered patio furniture cushions at this time.
If all these steps in how to refinish wrought iron patio furniture seem too arduous a task or beyond your capabilities, please contact us. Chances are we can completely refurbish wrought iron patio furniture from your backyard oasis and restore its natural beauty – no matter how old or how damaged. We can also make new patio cushions in the exact shape and size as the old ones. When it comes to making your old furniture look new again, the experts at Hauser’s Patio can get it done for you.
Wrought Iron Furniture Restoration: Removing Rust
Wrought Iron Furniture Restoring: Removing Rust
Wrought iron furniture is famous for its ability to create various highly aesthetic art projects, genuine attractiveness and durability, so it is commonly used to decorate terraces, decks, courtyards and gardens.
Forging can withstand harsh weather conditions, but at the same time, it is not resistant to corrosion. Scratches and dents, forming on the surface of products over time, expose the painted forged surface to the penetration of water and oxygen, which contributes to the appearance and development of rust. It quickly spreads through the iron, as a result of which the furniture eventually loses its appearance.
If you notice the presence of rust on your wrought iron furniture, immediately start repairing the furniture, otherwise after a couple of seasons you will forget about its decent appearance and the structural integrity of products, especially those with fine details. Here are a few rules that will allow you to keep the furniture in good condition.
1. Don't wait too long
Rust quickly corrodes, damages and destroys metal surfaces, and then can compromise the structure itself. Therefore, you do not have to wait long to repaint iron furniture. First you need to remove a layer of old paint, especially if there are bubbles and swellings on the surface, under which rust, of course, forms faster.
Then you need to remove the rust and only after that proceed with painting.
If there are small holes in the structure, they can be filled with cermet, which is a kind of metal putty, but keep in mind that no one can guarantee that the surface will remain as strong as it is undamaged, so it is better to contact forging repair to specialists.
2. Start by “cleaning”
To make sure your hard work isn't wasted, start by thoroughly cleaning the surface. Protect your hands with gloves to avoid being scratched by the steel brush.
First, old paint and rust are removed with a scraper, wire brush or sanding wheel. Then it is necessary to clean the surface with sandpaper, then wash it with soap, rinse thoroughly and dry. Once this job is complete, it's time to paint. If all stages of work are performed correctly, then your furniture will be reliably protected, and rust will not form on its surface for several years.
3. Always consider the weather
Wet weather and dampness have a bad effect on iron.
It is necessary to refrain from painting outdoors if it is raining or dew forms. On the other hand, the paint will not adhere very well to a surface scorched by the sun. Therefore, it takes a little patience to wait for dry weather and acceptable air temperature, and then you can start painting. The paint needs time to dry for at least 4-6 hours before exposure to moisture. If dew settles on a newly painted, not yet dried, surface, or drops of rain fall, then there is a risk of dull spots.
4. Choose a color and don't skimp on the paint
There are matte and gloss paints for metal, and there is also the option of hammer painting with enamel. You can choose from a two-stage package that includes a system with an anti-corrosion primer and top coat, or paint alone, which is itself a rust protection. In both cases, you need to paint abundantly, and even better - in several layers, but then a time interval is needed for the successive drying of each layer.
5. Protect the environment
Clean up after you in a civilized and environmentally friendly manner.
Wipe the brushes before rinsing them. In no case should paint residues be poured into the sewer, they must be sent for disposal. Empty paint cans are not as dangerous as the paint itself, but it is advisable not to leave them on the territory, but to take them to a landfill.
Restoration of forged products
Kuznya 47 manufactures for its customers a range of unique forged products that meet their wishes. In addition, we carry out the restoration of forged products, regardless of their complexity, made in different periods.
Despite the increased strength and durability of the metal, forged products can be subject to various damages. Trouble can happen with fine fine ornamentation or remarkable patterns, landscape decorations or interior elements. In any situation, one should not draw unambiguous conclusions. By trusting our forging masters, you will be able to save the product dear to your family under any unforeseen circumstances.
Our workshop boasts a team of experienced craftsmen who are ready to carry out the repair of forged products at your request.
We work with antique, time-worn pieces of art in need of urgent rehabilitation, as well as with more modern products.
In our company, it is possible to order the restoration of forged products in case of deformation of the structure, which occurred, for example, due to a tree that fell on the fence. When decorating such fences or fences with elegant antique ornaments of historical significance, restoration will be the only right decision. Restoration is indispensable in the event of the loss of individual elements that need to be restored by true professionals.
Corrosion can also deteriorate the appearance of products over time. The same applies to peeling paint, losing its external condition and even completely collapsing. It is also possible to cope with the destructive corrosion process and provide further protection against it, thanks to our restorers.
The replacement of damaged forgings is part of our business. We are ready to engage in high-quality and prompt replacement of various decorative interior elements, objects of historical value.
Process complexity
Restoration of forged products consists of several stages. It should be understood that this procedure is a very serious intervention, consisting of several stages. Only forging masters are able to achieve a full return to the original appearance. In order to perform this work, it is necessary to have a variety of knowledge related to the methods of conservation of metal products, styles and designs, certain properties of materials.
When carrying out competent, careful work, our specialist will be able to provide the client with a completely new forged product that has completely preserved its original appearance. Thanks to the use of modern technology in combination with high-quality materials, it is possible to ensure the resuscitation of cultural heritage sites, any historical monuments.
The forging master performing the restoration will begin by carefully inspecting the product, correctly determining the extent of the damage and assessing the current condition.
