General Maintenance
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Periodically wash the wrought iron with warm, soapy water. Rinse with hose water.
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Scrape off any signs of rust with a steel-bristled brush or sandpaper. Wipe clean.
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Prime and paint any nicks or dings with a thin coat of oil-based metal paint. Dry thoroughly between coats.
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Protect the finish with automotive wax on non-textured wrought iron. On textured iron, use mineral oil or baby oil to protect.
Five-Year Recoating
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Scrub the wrought iron with a steel-bristled brush to loosen any paint and rust.
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File down any rough edges with either 80-grit sandpaper or a metal file.
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Spray all metal surfaces with a coat of phosphoric acid to neutralize. This will convert any specks of rust remaining to a crust, and will prohibit its spread.
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Brush away any loose paint or flakes. Apply a heavy coat of primer with a bristle brush.
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Paint with an oil-based metal paint, using a chip brush to apply paint from the top of the piece down.