How to restore cast iron garden furniture and boot scrapers
Old cast iron bench ends, tables, boot scrapers and bath feet can be brought back with a strip, a rust treatment and good paint. Here's how to make the finish last outdoors.
By the Junkie team
Step by step
Step 1: Real cast iron or not
Cast iron is heavy and a magnet sticks to it. Light pieces a magnet won't stick to are cast aluminium, often reproductions. Both can be painted the same way.
Step 2: Check for cracks
Look closely at joints and thin sections. Cracked cast iron can't be welded like steel and needs a specialist to braze it.
Step 3: Strip it
Test the paint for lead first. Then remove loose paint and rust with wire brushes or a stripper. Get back to sound metal or tight old paint.
Step 4: Treat the rust
Brush rust converter into pitted areas and leave it to turn black, following the tin.
Step 5: Prime
Brush on a metal primer, working it into every crevice. Cast iron details trap water, so cover them well.
Step 6: Top coat
Apply two coats of exterior enamel, letting each dry fully. Black, deep green and cream are the classic colours.
Step 7: Keep it up
Touch up chips straight away and keep timber slats oiled each spring.
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