Wrought iron / intricate gates - how best to paint

[djbobbins]

Any thoughts? I have got a pair of iron gates at the side of our house, which are desperately in need of a couple of coats of paint. I've been putting off painting them for the nearly 10 years now, as I reckon it will be a pig of a job, but it can't really wait another winter.

 

I've had an expensive experience in the past trying to paint a single garden gate with a hammerite spray can and these are about 4x the size each, so the idea of 8 spray cans of hammerite means that's out.

 

But my laziness / dislike of fiddly gloss painting leaves me wondering if there's another option? Any thoughts much appreciated.

[roys]

Any industrial units near by you that do powder coating. Take it to them.

[skyhuck]

Yes, shot blasting and powder coat would be best, IMO.

[Haironyourchest]

Dont paint, wast of time, the rust will keep on rusting and the paint will blister, there'll be rust stains - nightmare. Sand blast, then take them to the galvanisers. Then paint, if you still want to.

[easy-lift guy]

Sandblast and powder coat. You may only have to do this one last time, however I suspect the customer will not be disappointed, you may well have more work from his friends and neighbors for your effort. Success breeds success!

easy-lift guy

[woody paul]

Any thoughts? I have got a pair of iron gates at the side of our house, which are desperately in need of a couple of coats of paint. I've been putting off painting them for the nearly 10 years now, as I reckon it will be a pig of a job, but it can't really wait another winter.

 

I've had an expensive experience in the past trying to paint a single garden gate with a hammerite spray can and these are about 4x the size each, so the idea of 8 spray cans of hammerite means that's out.

 

But my laziness / dislike of fiddly gloss painting leaves me wondering if there's another option? Any thoughts much appreciated.

 

Just get them gold plated

[growforest]

If they're true wrought iron made by hammer and forge, any grit blasting will damage the mill scale, which is a protection against some rust. Zinc and powder will look fine for a time, and may last you out. Wrought conservation usually plump for red lead undercoat and a good topcoat, and expect to get the wire brush out and repaint every few years.