Wrought Iron Cleaning

The decision of cleaning ironwork must be based on a genuine necessity. For eg. something which is darkened with soiling, biological growth and metallic staining, is not only disfigured but also exposed to deterioration and hence requires cleaning. A lightly soiled piece with legible details however does not require major cleaning.

In the cleaning process, these pieces are sand blasted or shot blasted to remove accumulations of the multiple layers or paint which have usually obscured much of the original detail. This access to the underlying metal also allows to correct defects frequently found in the original ironwork. Careful cleaning is also useful in revealing structural defects that might require attention prior to refinishing. Good bonding of any applied finish occurs when the corrosion layers and corrosive salts are removed from it.

Paint removal must be carried out using chemical agents chosen according to the type of paint and the need to avoid damage to the metal itself. After the paint is removed, care should be taken to ensure that any chemical residues are also removed or neutralized.

All the bare metalwork should be given a grey finish and wiped with acetone to remove residual dust and oils. Cleaned ironwork must be immediately treated with a quality inhibitive primer or coating to prevent the formation of rust which will interfere with adhesion of the new coating.