Restoring wrought iron gates: blast first, then powder coat

To restore a wrought or cast iron gate properly, sandblast it back to bare metal and then powder coat it. Blasting removes every trace of rust and old paint. Powder coating then bonds to clean steel as a hard, even skin that outlasts brushed paint by a long way.

It's the difference between a gate you're repainting every couple of years and one that stays smart season after season. Here's why the usual repaint lets you down, what a proper restoration involves and how to get your gate to us.

Why does rust keep coming back on a painted gate?

Because the rust was never really removed. Wire brushing and sanding take off the loose flakes, but rust lives on in pits, joints and scrolls where a brush can't reach. Rust is porous and holds moisture, so painting over it seals water in against the metal. Corrosion carries on underneath, the paint blisters and lifts, and the flaking starts again.

Gates have more hiding places than most metalwork: collars, rivets, hinge points, the bottom rail where rain sits and the inside faces of every scroll. Those are exactly the places blasting cleans and a brush misses.

Is my gate wrought iron, cast iron or steel?

• Mild steel is what most modern "wrought iron" gates are made from. It's strong, easy to repair and blasts very well.
• Genuine wrought iron is usually found on older gates and railings. It's tough and fibrous, and when it corrodes it can show a grain rather like timber.
• Cast iron is used for decorative panels, finials, collars and railings. It holds fine detail but is brittle, so it needs careful handling.

The good news is that all three restore the same way. Cast iron detail simply gets a finer media, so crisp edges stay crisp.

Why powder coat a gate instead of painting it?

Powder coating goes on as a fine, dry powder that's electrostatically charged, so it's drawn onto the metal and wraps around bars and edges. It's then cured with heat and flows into one continuous, hard skin. Compared with brushed paint, that gives you:

• An even coat over edges, corners and scrollwork, with no runs, drips or brush marks
• A harder surface that copes far better with knocks, scuffs and weather
• A finish that's fully cured before it leaves us, with no waiting for paint to harden

Paint still has its place. Fixed railings, and gates too big for a coating line, can have a primer and paint system applied instead. See powder coating and industrial painting.

What colour should I powder coat my gate?

Black satin is the favourite. It suits period and modern houses alike and doesn't show every fingerprint the way gloss can. Gloss black suits traditional railings, and matt finishes work well on contemporary designs. Dark greens, greys and blues also look right on older properties, and any RAL colour can be requested. If you're matching existing railings, the RAL code is the easiest way to get it right. No code? A photo of the colour is a good starting point, and we'll confirm the details when we quote.

How long does a powder coated gate last?

Many years, provided the metal was blasted clean before it was coated. That preparation is what lets the powder bond properly, and it's why a blasted and coated gate so comfortably outlasts a repaint over old coatings. Exactly how long depends on where it lives: a gate on a sheltered drive has an easier life than one beside a busy, salted road or a farmyard.

How do I look after a powder coated gate?

• Wash it down now and then with warm, soapy water and a soft brush
• Avoid abrasive pads and strong solvents, which can dull the finish
• Touch in any deep chips promptly, so water can't creep under the coating
• Keep hinges and latches lubricated, so the gate never has to be forced
• Make sure the bottom rail clears the ground and isn't sitting in standing water

How much does it cost to restore a gate?

Size, detail and condition are what set the price. A plain single gate is a quicker job than a pair of ornate driveway gates full of scrolls and castings, and heavy rust takes longer to strip than tired paint. WhatsApp us a photo with the height and width and the colour you'd like, and we'll reply with a free quote.

Gates come to the yard at Needwood from right across Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire. Give us a ring on 01283 813528 before you set off, so we know to expect you.