Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

Cast iron can be painted with metal primer and oil based paints. If the iron is rusty or previously painted, the rust or paint must be removed before re-painting.The surface before painting can be dirty and wet, so it can take several hours to dry completely. Spray paint can also be applied to cast iron. Use these steps to paint cast iron.

Steps

1. 1 Remove rust from cast iron. You can use a wire brush to scrub out the rust. Sandblasting or chemical methods can also be used if you need to remove a lot of rust and are not worried about possible damage to the cast iron.
   • Wear appropriate safety equipment when working with a power tool or chemical when removing rust. This may include gloves, goggles, and a respirator.
2. 2 Sand or otherwise remove existing paint. Sanding can be done easily. Collect and discard any loose paint that you clean off.
3. 3 Clean the cast iron. Remove dirt, dust, stains and other items such as spider webs. You may need a brush to clean the cast iron.
4. 4 Wear old clothes when painting cast iron. You may need to throw these clothes away after dyeing.
5. 5 Prepare the surface for painting outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Use a flat surface or canvas to catch dripping paint. A table or piece of linen will work great for this.
6. 6 Keep a clean rag and white spirit near your work area. Use a rag to clean your hands when painting. Alcohols can clean tools after painting and dissolve paint.
7. 7 Apply a primer to bare or unpainted cast iron. Choose an oil-based primer. Follow the instructions. If necessary, allow the primer coat to dry before applying another coat.
8. 8 Apply oil paint. Dip 1/4 inch (0.63 cm) of your paintbrush into the paint once. This will help prevent paint splatter and dripping.
   • Cover the cast iron with two coats of paint. Wait 24 hours after applying the first coat of paint before applying the second one.

Tips

• If the object to be painted is conductive, such as a cast iron radiator, paint with a metal finish will conduct less heat than a matte paint.
• Try buying primer, paint, and cleaning supplies to paint your cast iron from a hardware store.
• You can use spray paint as an alternative to oil paint. Hold it smoothly while working to ensure an even coverage.
• You can spray a primer on cast iron radiators or other detailed cast iron objects, and then spray paint after the primer has dried.
• Consider hiring a professional to sandblast the paint off the cast iron.

Warnings

• Wear a respirator when spraying primer and paint.

What do you need

• Hardware store
• Wire brush
• Sandblasting
• Chemical substances
• Rags or brushes
• Safety equipment
• Old clothes
• Smooth surface
• Clean rag
• Mineral alcohol (perfume)
• Brush
• Oil based primer
• Oil paint