STRIPPING & REFINISHING ANTIQUE IRON BEDS 

Letter 10017 REMOVING PAINT AND REFINISHING ANTIQUE IRON BED WITH CURLICUES - What is best method for stripping old white paint - and what are options for refinishing (including shining up old metal with something like Brasso [link is to product info at Amazon] - and/or repainting?) Mara T [name deleted for privacy] - Hopewell, New Jersey May 23, 2008 Hi, Mara. Taking it to a local sandblasting or paint stripping place would probably be the quickest and safest solution. A powder coater or an auto body shop could repaint it for you as well. To do it yourself you will need paint stripper from the hardware store, plus goggles [link is to product info at Amazon], protective gloves [link is to product info at Amazon], and good ventilation. I would just repaint it rather than trying to go for a metallic look: remember that iron rusts and a simple clearcoat is unlikely to be enough to prevent the rusting. You'll find that we have many other letters on line about repainting old iron beds and similar subjects. Good luck. Regards, Ted Mooney, P.E.  finishing.com Brick, New Jersey