How to Fix a Rotted Iron Gate

Clean the rotted wrought iron with a wire brush to eradicate loose scale, dirt and debris. Scrub the iron vigorously until no further material comes off the gate.

Prepare to apply naval jelly, a phosphoric acid-based corrosion remover, to remaining corrosion spots on the gate. Cover any vegetation below the gate with drop cloths for protection. Put on acid-proof gloves and safety glasses for your protection.

Dab the naval jelly thickly onto any remaining corrosion left on the gate using a disposable paintbrush. Let the caustic jelly dissolve the lingering corrosion for 10 minutes.

Saturate a rag with water. Wipe the naval jelly off the gate, thoroughly rinsing the wrought iron.

Wet fine-grade steel wool with mineral spirits. Scrub the dissolved corrosion scale and remaining grime off the iron.

Inspect the gate for rotted-out portions that require filling. If the portions of the iron railing are pitted or rotted out, select a two-part cold-weld compound kit containing a tube of hardener and tube of liquid steel/epoxy resin.

Squeeze equal parts of the liquid steel/epoxy resin and hardener onto a plastic lid. Mix the two parts with a flat wooden stick.

Fill the deteriorated wrought iron with the mixture using the stick. Let the mixture cure for 24 hours.

Rub the patched iron with fine-grit emery cloth until smooth. Wipe the smoothened iron with tack cloth to remove dust.

Spray the rust-free, patched iron with rust-inhibiting alkyd primer. Evenly distribute the primer onto the iron, and then let the primer set 24 hours.

Apply two separate coats of alkyd paint evenly onto the repaired iron using a regular paintbrush. Let both coats air-dry 24 hours individually.