Wrought iron brings a touch of the rustic outdoors in your living space, but also much rustic isn’t always such a fantastic thing. Chipped or peeling paint — or even actual rust — may mar the effect you’re aiming for. Luckily, it’s not hard to paint wrought iron, and today’s metal paints offer you a veritable rainbow of color options.
Remove the glass top of the coffee table, and then place it aside in a safe place. Glass is heavier than it looks, so enlist a helper to move the glass. If the glass top doesn’t come off, wrap it in newspaper and tape it firmly using painter’s tape.
Spread a drop cloth on your own work space. If you’re spray painting indoors, cover the wall behind your work area also.
Squirt a little bit of dish soap into a little bucket of warm water. The specific amount does not matter; 2 to 3 squirts in about 1 quart of water should be sufficient. Wash the wrought iron using a sponge dampened in the soapy water. Get into all scrollwork and crevices. Rinse the table, then wipe it down and allow it to dry completely.
Sand the wrought iron using an emery cloth to remove any rust or flaking paint that washing didn’t eliminate. Go over the table base with a tack cloth to remove the sanding dust.
Wear a painter’s mask and masks, and be sure that the room is well ventilated. Shake the use of metal primer well for a moment or so and then coat the table foundation in long, even strokes. Let the primer dry for the time mentioned on the label.
Sand the dry primer quietly using 220-grit sandpaper to get a smoother finish. Wipe the table down with a tack cloth.
Put on your protective gear and spray on the table base using paint that is especially formulated to be used on metal. Let the paint dry completely. Employ your second coat within one hour of finishing the first coat to get the best results.
