Increasing Curb Appeal Of Your Home With A Unique-Colored, Ornamental Iron Fence
If you own a home with decorative iron fencing adorning the perimeter of your property, you may want to dress up the aesthetics of its appearance with a fresh coat of paint. Many find a drab iron fence blends into their property, making it unnoticed as a result. Brightening the color can be done on your own with some of the following tips. The result will be an eye-catching fence sure to draw attention of those passing by.
Find The Materials You Will Need To Do The Job
To do a paint job on an iron fence, you will need to obtain the following materials:
- Wire brush
- Paint scraper
- Medium and fine-grit sandpaper
- Garden hose
- Old hand towel or washcloth
- Mild detergent
- Rust-inhibiting primer
- Rust-inhibiting paint in desired color
- Paint brushes in different sizes
- Drop cloths
Remove Old Paint From The Fence To Even The Surface
If your iron fence was previously painted, the old paint will need to be removed before adding a new color. If your fence is unpainted, move on to the next step. To remove old paint, use a paint scraper or wire brush to loosen it from the iron. Parts where bubbling or cracking is noticeable will come off quite easily. Other portions may require a bit of muscle. When you have removed as much as possible, use a piece of medium-grit sandpaper to rub off paint you had difficulty removing by hand. Switch to a piece of fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface of the fence.
Clean The Fence To Remove Old Flecks And Debris
Before painting the iron fence, clean it to remove any debris on its surface. If you had removed old paint, sawdust and paint flecks are likely to be left behind. It is possible insects and spiders are hiding out in scrolled areas as well. Rinse the fence with a garden hose and then wipe down each rail using an old hand towel or wash cloth dipped in a mild detergent. Do this in sections so the detergent can be rinsed away before it dries to the iron. Allow the fence to dry in the sun in its entirety before starting the painting portion of the job.
Add The Desired Color To Give The Fence A New Look
Place drop cloths on the ground on each side of the section of fence you are going to start painting to protect landscaping. Add a coat of rust-inhibiting primer to the rails and allow it to dry in its entirety. Follow with a coat of the desired paint color. The primer and paint can be applied with a paint brush for an even coverage. If you use a roller, any curls or bends in the iron will be less likely to be completely covered with the color. A sprayer can be used as well, but make sure to cover the undersides of scroll work for an even appearance. Give the fence two coats of paint for the best result.
For ornamental iron fencing, contact a company such as City Wide Fence Co.