Wrought iron is a fixture in many home exteriors from porch railings to driveway gates to fences. While durable, wrought iron is not invincible. It is subject to the elements, in particular water, and it does rust from time to time. Fortunately, a rusty wrought iron railing, gate or fence can be dealt with fairly easily.

Rust is wrought iron’s worst enemy, and if left untreated, it will eat through and destroy the metal. Removing rust takes some work. First, you need to inspect the piece to determine the extent of the damage. If the rust is just beginning, you may be able to buff it out with some steel wool, neutralize it with some lemon juice and vinegar, and touch it up with some rust-resistant paint.

If the piece is extremely rusty, you will need to take further steps to restore it. Start by removing any peeling paint with a paint scraper. Then go over the piece with a wire brush to loosen up any remaining paint and rust. Depending upon how thick the rust is, you may need to tackle it with a drill with a wire wheel.

Once you have loosened up the old paint and rust, you can start removing it by sanding. Use coarse grit sandpaper for the first few passes and then medium grit sandpaper to remove any remaining paint and rust and smooth out the rough patches. For deeper rust, you may need to use your drill with a sanding wheel. When you have removed all of the paint and rust, buff the piece with steel wool and rinse it with cold water.

Even though you may not be able to see any rust, there could still be some minuscule spots left. To prevent these from spreading, you will need to neutralize the piece. You may use a commercial rust neutralizer, or you may make your own from one part lemon juice and one part vinegar. Apply the neutralizer with a wire brush, using a circular motion, and then wash the piece with soapy water and let it dry.

With the rust removed and neutralized, you can paint the piece. First, apply a coat of rust-resistant primer for metal. Let it dry and then apply a coat of a rust-resistant paint for metal. Using a medium bristled paintbrush, make smooth, even strokes. Let the piece dry and then apply a second coat of paint.

To prevent the recurrence of rust, you will need to maintain your wrought iron. Clean it twice a year with warm, soapy water. Apply some mineral oil to all latches and springs. At the first signs of rust, buff, clean, neutralize and touch up the piece. Ensure the longevity of your wrought iron by caring for and maintaining it properly.