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Metal finishing Q&As since 1989
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Restore iron frame for picnic table
I have a really old iron frame for a picnic table that I would love to redo. The problem is, is that while kept at my mom's the frame became really rusted. I need to know if it will be possible to sand off the rust and paint over it, or is there something out there that I can prime it with to keep the paint from falling off?
Katherine Dudley- Athens, Georgia
2002
I really recommend that you get the rust off before painting, or else risk having the new coat flake off even with good primer. You could try sandblasting, sandpaper, muriatic acid [affil links] (which is dilute hydrochloric acid), or rust solvent, such as C-L-R [on eBay or Amazon (adv.)] . Be careful if you use the acid or solvent, and rinse well afterwards.
![tim neveau](../portraits/tim_neveau.jpg)
Tim Neveau
Rochester Hills, Michigan
2002
Hi, Katherine. After removing the heavy rust with one of the methods that Tim has mentioned, you will want to apply naval jelly [on eBay or Amazon (adv.)] or other rust converter [on eBay or Amazon (adv.)] , which converts the remaining powdery rust to a more solid and stable form of iron. Good luck!
Regards,
![Ted Mooney, finishing.com](../portraits/ted_mooney_beach.jpg)
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
September , 2009
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