Two Easy Methods Of Removing The Paint From Iron Railings
In order to give an old iron railing a fresh coat of paint, it is firstly important to remove the flaky old paint completely. It is advisable to check the old railings for the lead before scraping off as much of the paint as possible. The two easy methods with steps for removing the Paint from iron railings are as follows:
Method 1: Scraping The Paint
- Test A Patch: In this method the first step is to test for lead. For that purchase a lead test kit or a swab from any local hardware store or online. Carefully scrape off the iron railing using a utility knife or with a box cutter and then follow the test instructions for properly testing the paint. There will be instant results that tell if it is safe to scrape off more of the paint or not. This test is important for the iron railing that is very old like 50 years old if it tests positive then contact the professional.
- Safety Gears: Before heading to the process wear eye protection as well as a mask. Wear a dust mask that will protect the nose and the mouth from fine paint particles. Also, wear a pair of safety goggles to protect the eyes. Wear gloves to protect the hands when working with the mineral spirit.
- Flat Metal Blade: Take a metal blade for scraping the large flakes of old paint. Take a sturdy scraper that has a straight blade and then run it on the smooth sides of the iron railing. Continue scraping until large flakes of dry paint fall off.
- Rub A Wire Brush: On the curved portions of the railing use a wire brush. Take a narrow wire brush and then scrape it in the back and forth direction over the metal. Continue to scrape so that the paint from curved spots falls away.
- Sanding: To remove the lingering paint sand the area. Use a piece or block of 80-grit sandpaper and then rub it over the railing. The sandpaper will help to remove any of the paint that the scraper and the wire brush could not get off.
Method 2: Using Chemical For Tough paints
- Chemical Paint Stripper: The first step is to dip a brush or simply a roller into chemical paint stripper. The user can use a paintbrush, foam brush, or even a foam paint roller and then dip it into the liquid chemical stripper. It is very important to work in a well-ventilated space. The user can simply dip the brush directly into the stripper or they can also pour it into a paint tray. It is highly advisable to wear gloves while working with the chemical paint strippers this is because they can irritate the skin.
- Apply: Apply the liquid chemical stripper to any stubborn paint spots that are on the iron railings. For the hard to reach areas use the brush on the iron railing. Apply a thick layer of the chemical stripper so that it works more quickly.
- Leave The Chemical Stripper: After applying the stripper leave it for about 5 minutes on the railing. However, the user can also read out the manufacturer's instructions for how long to leave the chemical stripper on the iron railing. In general, the stripper can be left on the railing for at least 5 minutes.
- Scrape The Paint: The next step now is to scrape off the paint from railing. With the help of flat metal, scraper remove the paint, simply rub it in the back and forth direction over the old paint. Continue the scraping so that all the paint flakes fall off. If there are still some of the stubborn spots, then apply more chemical stripper and repeat the process.