A quality paint job can provide a protective layer over a wrought iron fence. With a material known to rust, it is important to keep an eye out for degraded areas. They are not only unsightly, but they can become structurally unsound. This post will break down the do’s and dont’s of painting these beautiful fences.
A quality paint job can provide a protective layer over a wrought iron fence.
Materials
To prep, prime, and paint the fence you should gather a few necessary tools:
- Drill
- Flap wheel (coarse, 80 grit)
- Protective eyewear
- Steel brush
- Emery cloth
- Dish soap
- Primer (for metal surfaces)
- Paint (for exterior use)
Sand + Clean
To ensure that the paint adheres, you have to remove all chipped paint, cracks, and rust spots. You’ll want to protect your eyes and skin until these steps are complete. To do this, attach an 80 grit flap wheel to your drill and go over the entire surface of the fence. Once you’ve done as much as you can with the drill, go in with a steel brush to clean up the crevices that it missed. For the paint that remains, wipe the fence all over with an emery cloth. This will roughen up the surface so that the primer can stick.
Before painting, the fence has to be totally clean and dry. Mix a large bucket of soapy water with a good degreasing soap. Scrub the whole fence clean of all residue with a normal sponge. Towel it off, then allow it to air dry completely.
Primer Before Paint
The primer coat is crucial to the success of the project. You’ll need a good spray primer meant to be used with metals. Spraying is the best mechanism from here on out, because getting even coverage of an irregular surface like a fence is much more difficult by any other means. Do as many coats as you need to cover the fence evenly. Allow this to dry completely.
Paint
Paint in the outdoors can be temperamental, and you don’t want to give it any reason to fail so it’s best to choose a clear, sunny day with no humidity for this step. Do the same procedure as you did with the primer using your exterior spray paint. Allow it to dry inbetween coats as you build the coverage up to a thick and durable finish. When you are sure that you’ve covered every square inch of your fence evenly, you’re all done.
Choose Hercules Fence Northern Virginia for All of Your Fencing Needs!
Hercules Fence Northern Virginia has countless fencing options for your home and commercial property. Whether you are excited about a beautiful vinyl chain link fence or already planning out your custom wood commercial fence, we are ready to help you frame and secure your property. Hercules Fence Northern Virginia has been providing homeowners with quality fences for over 50 years. We are well equipped to meet your needs, whether they are residential or commercial. Contact us to see how a beautiful wood fence can protect your property by giving us a call at 703-551-2609 or visiting us online. To see examples of our work, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Flickr.
