Should You Paint Wrought Iron?

Over time, exposed to the elements, wrought iron can become pitted and rusty and in need of refinishing. Even if your wrought iron pieces look good, you can paint them a different color to add a personal touch and contemporary style to what is usually a traditional element of your home.

What kind of paint do you use on wrought iron?

For painting wrought iron, use exterior-grade enamel paint. For best results, use a "direct-to-metal" (DTM) paint that contains a rust inhibiting ingredient. Using ordinary exterior paint will lead to chipping. The paint should be applied with a brush in long, smooth strokes.

Should wrought iron be painted flat or gloss?

Wrought iron is typically painted in either semi-gloss or a gloss sheen. Southern Painting prefers acrylic enamels for use on wrought iron, as alkyd a/k/a oil-based enamels do not hold up as long under exposure to the sun.