{"id":14963,"date":"2022-09-26T11:09:53","date_gmt":"2022-09-26T09:09:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homesandantiques.com\/?p=6899"},"modified":"2022-09-26T11:29:08","modified_gmt":"2022-09-26T09:29:08","slug":"how-to-clean-and-protect-antique-garden-furniture","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/rss_feed\/how-to-clean-and-protect-antique-garden-furniture\/","title":{"rendered":"How to clean and protect antique garden furniture"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Homes & Antiques\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 26 September 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Most old metal garden furniture is made either from cast or wrought iron. Cast-iron furniture, made by pouring molten iron\u00a0into a mould, is brittle\u00a0and fractures easily. Wrought-iron pieces, made by heating the iron and working it while it\u2019s\u00a0still hot with a hammer, is more malleable, less prone\u00a0to fracture and generally\u00a0more robust.<\/p>\n

Both types of\u00a0furniture are vulnerable\u00a0to corrosion if bare metal is left exposed to air and moisture. It\u2019s also common\u00a0to see accumulated layers\u00a0of faking paint concealing\u00a0intricate decorative details, spoiling the visual impact.<\/p>\n

How to clean and protect antique outdoor furniture<\/h2>\n

To keep metal furniture looking its best, you should strip old paint, sand away any rust, prime and apply a layer of new protective paint. If the piece dates from the early 19th century \u2013 especially if it is made by a known manufacturer such as Coalbrookdale \u2013 it\u2019s advisable to seek professional help before attempting renovations.<\/p>\n

You Will Need:<\/strong><\/p>\n

  1. Rubber gloves<\/li>\n
  2. Goggles<\/li>\n
  3. Detergent<\/li>\n
  4. Sponge<\/li>\n
  5. Water<\/li>\n
  6. Steel brush<\/li>\n
  7. Lint-free towel<\/li>\n
  8. Wire wool<\/li>\n
  9. Sandpaper<\/li>\n
  10. Metal anti-corrosive primer<\/li>\n
  11. Metal paint<\/li>\n<\/ol>
    \u00a0<\/span>If the paint is in reasonable condition, start by giving the furniture a thorough wash with a sponge and warm soapy water. Use a fungicidal detergent if there is any evidence of algae.<\/div>\n
    \u00a0<\/span>Remove all loose fakes of paint with a steel brush or scraper and a sanding block, as necessary. Wash thoroughly again, then dry carefully with a\u00a0lint-free towel, taking\u00a0care that all crevices\u00a0are completely dry before painting exposed spots with primer and the final paint top coat.<\/div>\n
    \u00a0<\/span>If the paint is in poor condition, use wire wool, a wire brush or paint stripper to remove it entirely, wearing protective clothing and goggles to do so. Cast and wrought-iron corrode quickly if left exposed to air, especially in moist conditions, so make sure the surface dries as quickly as possible\u00a0(use a hair dryer if necessary) before applying a layer of anti-corrosive primer, and a paint suitable for metal. (You can buy direct-to-metal, anti-corrosive paints in a limited colour range.) Sand gently between each layer of paint and leave to dry thoroughly before applying the next coat.<\/div>\n\n
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