What’s The Best Paint For A Wrought Iron Fence?

Whether it's a newly installed fence or one that has been protecting your home for years, a wrought iron fence should be protected from rust. We've researched this topic and in this post, we will be discussing how to protect your fence from rust and the best paint you can use for wrought iron.

The best paint to use on a wrought iron fence is enamel paint. These paints are very durable and are suited for exterior conditions. Enamel paints have a great finish that can withstand the daily wear and tear of the environment, and it protects the wrought iron fence from rusting.

Knowing about the kind of paint to use on wrought iron is one thing, but we will also elaborate on how you can paint your wrought iron fence on your own. Keep reading as we break down the best paints to use, tips on rust proofing, as well as techniques on how to maintain your wrought iron fence.

What's The Best Paint For A Wrought Iron Fence?

Wrought iron fences are known to be the most durable and long-lasting fencing material out there. They are very strong against the daily wear and tear due to environmental factors, and it's also very strong against unexpected damage like vehicles hitting them.

However, while wrought iron is a material that is strong by itself, the metal still needs protection from the harsh elements that eventually cause it to rust. In order to prevent this from happening, wrought iron fences should have a protective coating like paint to keep them from rusting.

Wrought iron fences are best primed with a rust-inhibitive primer to give your wrought iron the initial protection it needs. After that, choose a good rust-inhibitive enamel paint to use on your wrought iron fences. Enamel paint is the best choice for wrought iron because of its durability.

Get this rust-protective primer on Amazon.

There are different paints that are being discussed for use on wrought iron fences. You can find oil-based primer and enamel paints that are specifically made for these materials. It is important to note that the paint that you choose should protect your fence from rust, whatever the base may be.

Check out this protective enamel paint on Amazon.

How Do You Paint A Wrought Iron Fence?

Whether your wrought iron fence is newly installed, or it has served your home for years, it is important to protect the metal to make it last longer. A good way to do this is to paint your fences. Here are the steps on how to paint a wrought iron fence:

Materials needed:

• Sandpaper
• Fine wire brush/steel brush/steel wool
• Mineral spirits
• Rust-inhibitive primer
• Rust-inhibitive enamel paint
• Paintbrushes

Instructions:

1. Clean and prepare your wrought iron surfaces properly. Using your high-grit sandpaper or steel brushes, scrub and clean the rust on the metal surfaces. Use light-grit sandpaper to smooth the metal surfaces after scrubbing the rust off.
2. Wash the fence using mineral spirits to completely remove all the rust and residue that cling to your newly cleaned fence. Use a rag to apply the mineral spirits to your wrought iron fence.
3. Rinse the fence thoroughly with water to completely remove all the mineral spirits you have applied. Do this process repeatedly until you are sure that no mineral spirits remain.
4. Choose a rust-inhibitive metal primer for your wrought iron fence. Paint the wrought iron fence with your chosen primer according to the manufacturer's instructions. You may need more than one layer of primer to protect your fence properly. Let dry for a day or two.
5. Paint the fence using rust-inhibitive enamel paint. Make sure to cover all the areas of your fence, including all the hardware, fittings, and decorations. You may need to use a few layers of enamel paint to completely cover your entire fence.

How Do You Care For A Wrought Iron Fence?

Now that you have a nicely painted wrought iron fence, it is also good to remember that they need to be maintained from time to time to prevent corrosion. Rust can affect the strength of your fence and it can be a little challenging to fix rust corrosion.

To keep your wrought iron fence in tip-top shape, it is important to maintain it every once in a while. It is also a chance for you to check on the structure of your fence and to see if it needs to be repainted or fixed immediately. Here are some tips on maintaining wrought iron fences:

Protect

Metal is highly susceptible to rust and corrosion if it is constantly subjected to wet weather conditions and humidity. One of the reasons why wrought iron fences are getting rusty is plants and vines clinging onto the fence. Remove them to prevent moisture from seeping through the metal.

Some bushes and vines may also have prickly vines that can scratch the paint off of your wrought iron. A small scratch through the enamel paint can encourage water to seep in under the paint layer and cause the metal to rust.

Clean

A good way to prevent rust from taking over your wrought iron fences is by cleaning them regularly. Use warm, soapy water to clean your wrought iron fences when they are dirty or grime is starting to accumulate.

Scrub away rust spots as soon as you see them on your wrought iron fences. You can use an old toothbrush or a cleaning brush to clean the narrow and small spaces on your wrought iron fences. You can also use a pressure washer to effectively remove the dirt from getting into these small spaces.

Rust-proof

If you see small rust spots in your wrought iron fence, it is best to remove them as soon as possible to prevent them from escalating. You can do this by using sandpaper and a fine wire brush to scrub the rust off.

After cleaning the rust off your wrought iron fence, a layer of protective wax, rust-inhibitive spray, or paint should revitalize your fence. This will ensure that the metal will not corrode and it will last longer.

You can also use rust inhibitors to protect your metal before it gets corroded. These rust inhibitors are usually sprayed on and you can typically use this together with other protective materials like rust-inhibitive paint.

Check out this rust inhibitor spray on Amazon. 

Regularly inspect

Wrought iron fences are not hard to maintain. You should regularly inspect your fences at least once a year, just to see if some things need to be patched. Check for loose hardware and fittings (especially if you have wrought iron decorations on your fence.)

Do make sure to check for cracks, rust, and damage on your fence and do appropriate steps to repair them before it gets worse. For painted fences, remember to check for fading, cracks, and spots. Bent wrought iron should be fixed with the help of a professional.

In Conclusion

Installing a wrought iron fence for your home is an investment, and it is important to protect it to make it last longer. Paints are great for keeping your wrought fence rustproof, plus a nicely painted fence adds a beautiful touch to your home.

Are you looking to learn more about fencing options for your home? Look no further because we have some articles that might be of interest:

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