Wrought iron furniture has been a popular choice in bar furniture for a very long time, and for good reason – it looks good, it’s versatile, and it’s tough enough for home or commercial use. If your outdoor bar area has wrought iron furniture that’s beginning to look a little rusty, take heart; getting rid of the rust isn’t as hard as it seems, and you probably don’t need to replace your furniture. Follow these simple tips for removing the rust and returning your wrought iron to its previously lovely state.
Start by scrubbing the rust lightly with a wire brush. Scrub hard enough to remove any rust flakes, but be careful not to scratch the paint. If the rust is very bad, you might have to repaint the furniture. Consult an expert if you’re not certain.
If you see rust stains but no flakes, dip a very fine steel-wool pad into kerosene and brush out the stains. Always wear safety glasses and rubber gloves when handling kerosene, and work well away from open flames. If you’ve got a sensitive respiratory tract, be sure to stay in a well ventilated area while you work with anything that puts off fumes.
If rust has developed in the joints of the furniture, it might be easier to take the furniture apart and work with smaller pieces.
When you’ve finished removing the rust, give the whole piece a good coating with liquid wax. The wax will guard the finish against further rust. Severe rust problems can be treated with naval jelly, which dissolves rust. There are even products that convert rust into a primer for later painting; just shop around, do some research, and find the product that best suits your needs.
