How to Hand Paint Iron Wall Decorations

Paint binds easily to wrought iron decorations as long as the surface is prepared correctly beforehand. Iron, like wood, requires the removal of old paint and a clean surface to achieve a flawless appearance. After removing any old paint, the process for a successful hand paint job on your iron wall decorations can begin.

• 1

  Wipe dust from the front and back of the iron wall decorations with a clean rag.

• 2

  Remove any rust or old paint from the iron decorations. Rub mineral oil on rust-covered areas and scrub them with a stiff-bristle brush. Remove old paint by wiping the decorations with paint thinner. Rinse the paint thinner and mineral oil from the iron with a hose or buckets of water. Dry the iron with rags before painting.

• 3

  Lay newspapers outside on the grass. If you cannot work outside, lay old sheets on the floor. Place the wall decorations flat on the sheets or newspapers.

• 4

  Wet a 3-inch-wide paintbrush with primer. Brush the primer over the front of the wall decorations. Use a small paintbrush to work the primer into small crevice areas. Allow the primer to dry for two hours.

• 5

  Clean the primer from the brushes by rinsing them clean with a garden hose or in a sink. Lay the brushes on paper towels to dry.

• 6

  Stir the paint with a wooden paint stirrer. Dip the clean paintbrush into the can of paint. Paint the iron decorations in the same manner as you applied the primer. Use the smaller paintbrush if needed. Remove any pooling or excess paint on the decorations with the brush.

• 7

  Allow the paint to dry for two hours. If using multiple colors of paint, allow the first layer of paint to dry completely (at least two hours) before applying a different color of paint. Allow each color to dry before applying an additional one.

• 8

  Paint a clear coat finish onto the iron decorations after all the paint has completely dried. Use the paintbrushes to apply the clear coats in the same manner as the primer and paint. This clear coat adds shine and a protective layer to the items.