Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Finishes to give a 'wrought Iron style' to mild steel for a gate

Hi there, I'm a student looking to design and make a gate in a wrought iron style. I'm researching into possible finishes to be applied to mild steel to give a 'traditional' effect. Wondered if anyone had any ideas?

Rick Benson
student - Lancaster, Cumbria, United Kingdom
2004

Drop by any of your local hardware stores and see what they have, basicly what you need is a paint that is thin enough to show the grain of the metal you are working, traditionaly smiths used paint to protect their outdoor work, or if the work was going to be inside, beeswax (now it's easier to use paste wax, wood floors wax works well). As this is going to be a gate and not going to be in anything beyond rain/snow/ect.. I suggest using pretty much anything by Rust-Oleum. I'm not too sure of their product lineup in the UK, but look around I'm sure you'll find something comprable.

Marc Banks
- Elizabeth City, North Carolina
2004

Do you need an entrance in order design the gate for it? at my house in the Vale of Lorton the entrance of the drive is flanked by giant redwood trees and is in need of a new gate to replace the old wooden ones so could be a project for you...

Angela Jackson
- Cumbria
2005

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You can use 20 gm tannic acid [on eBay or Amazon]/15 gm phosphoric acid/1 lit water solution. It must be lacquered.

Good luck!

Goran Budija
- Cerovski vrh Croatia
2005