How to Paint Iron Rods

Wear gloves, safety goggles and a dust mask.

Remove old paint and rust with one of the following methods:

Straight rods without intricate designs--brush vigorously with a wire brush.

Heavy, solid rods only--insert a wire brush attachment into a power drill and brush away old paint or rust. Rent a light-duty, low-pressure sandblaster and blast away old finishes. Apply heat with a heat gun to loosen the paint bond and scrape with a paint scraper.

Intricate and delicate iron rods- -wash with warm, soapy water, rinse and dry thoroughly. Apply a chemical paint stripper according to the directions on the paint stripper packaging. Use a paint scraper to lift and remove bubbled paint. Wash the iron rods with warm soapy water to remove chemical residue.

Sand iron rods with extra-fine sandpaper by hand to smooth and even the surface.

Wipe iron rods with a damp rag to remove excess dust and debris.

Allow the rods to dry thoroughly to achieve a good primer and paint bond.

Apply two coats of alkyd rust-inhibitor primer to the iron rods with a foam paintbrush, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly between applications. Dry times vary depending on the brand, but typically take two to four hours.

Apply two coats of alkyd enamel paint with a foam paintbrush. Allow each coat to dry completely, usually four to six hours between coats.