Wrought iron is a catchall phrase used to describe ornamental metalwork. While true wrought iron can be found in stairs, railings, fences, gates and window grates of buildings that are a century old or older, the more modern metal for these uses is usually steel. Steel differs from iron in that it contains more carbon.

 

entry continues below ↓

Indoors, decorative iron and steel generally aren’t subject to much degradation, as long as these surfaces are kept as dry as possible. Frequent dusting is all they should need on a regular basis. A damp cloth and mild household cleaner can be used to remove spots and spills, but be sure to dry affected areas immediately.

Outdoor metalwork needs to be maintained regularly to keep rust from appearing.

Rust is the chief enemy of iron and steel metalwork. Many people paint wrought iron to keep it from rusting. However, new paint will loosen and flake away as corrosion makes a comeback if the rust isn’t removed first. Here’s how it’s done:

Remove rust. Use a wire brush or a medium to course sandpaper, depending on the extent of corrosion, to scrape away rust. Like most forms of material degradation, metal corrosion is almost always worse than it first appears. Don’t be surprised if rust has undercut significant areas of adjacent paint. Remove deep rust with course sandpaper (80 grit or lower), and then follow up with a medium-grit paper (120-160 grit). Once the rust is gone, buff affected surfaces with fine steel wool to restore the metal’s original appearance.

Apply rust inhibitor. Once sprayed or painted onto the prepared surface, these products help to keep oxidizing moisture away from metalwork. They can be used as a final coat or as a primer for a topcoat of glossy enamel paint, if desired. Rust-inhibiting paints are available at most hardware stores and home centers.

Very heavy rust can be removed by brushing naval jelly onto affected surfaces and allowing the phosphoric acid it contains sufficient time to work. It may take several applications to remove heavy rust, and each application must be scrubbed away with a brush and generous amounts of water before the next coat can be applied. Follow all product instructions carefully.

Caution: Phosphoric acid can burn skin and eyes quickly. Naval jelly also produces hazardous fumes as it breaks down corrosion. Wear rubber gloves and skin and eye protection when using naval jelly, and ensure plenty of fresh air ventilation during and after application to reduce the buildup of vapors.

Even though naval jelly works well, affected surfaces may still require buffing with steel wool, and perhaps even some light sanding, to smooth out roughness. For this reason, and because of the hazards involved with using acid rust remover, many people elect to forgo using naval jelly and remove rust mechanically as described above.