repainting historic wrought iron - what paints?

[oxonvale]

Hi all,

We have some historic leaded lights within wrought iron frames. The paintwork is in a very bad way - though corrosion is not so bad.

I have rubbed one back to bare metal. Before I embark on repainting, I thought I would canvas opinion here.

My default approach would be to use Hammerite straight to metal. For longevity of finish and protection, should I prime first ? Are there other alternatives that I should consider? Rustoleum perhaps? Colour will be black.

 

[Oldschool]

here for the same question for my railings, Victorian original so am presuming also wrought iron was also thinking Hammerite straight on after wire brushing and cleaning down.

 

[paulc]

Not sure Hammerite would look that good on leaded light frames. Smoothrite would look better in my opinion. That said, used to work for a company that used a lot of Hammerite. The stuff we sprayed never had a primer, just went on to bare metal. To improve adheshion, rusty steel got a quick sand blasting.
If you do decide to use a primer under Hammerite/Smoothrite, just make sure it is compatible.

 

[phillc]

I have Victorian cast iron rainwater and soil goods, and a Victorian wrought iron gate. I have happily used Smoothrite direct to metal for the lot. I think some comment that it is not as hard wearing as more "sophisticated" products, but mine's still looking good after 5 years for the CI and ten years for the gate.

I didn't prime but where there was rust on the gate I used one of those rust eater products (Kurust?) to get rid of it, before a good wire brush.