Rusty Wrought Iron Gates.

[leahbee]

I have rather large wrought iron gates which over the years have been painted with white hammerite paint and never stripped. They are now very rusty . Can I keep on painting over them or should the old paint be removed. If this is the case could anyone please tell me what to use for this. They are very intricate so l don't suppose it will be easy. Thanks.

[penelope2]

Could you get a firm to sand blast them?

[leahbee]

Thank you Penelope, that is one solution I suppose but I am short of funds at the moment so I thought I could try to do it myself.

[douglas9401]

A wire brush, manual or an attachment for a drill, with safety gear and some patience will do the job.

[The Builder]

I agree with Douglas, leah. Try one of these...

http://www.screwfix.com/p/non-woven-perperation-wheel-115mm/83915

Either put a nut and bolt through the hole and stick it in a normal electric drill, or use in a 115mm angle grinder...

http://www.screwfix.com/p/energer-enb461grd-810w-4-angle-grinder-230-240v/89057

[heathfield]

I agree with TB - the abrasive discs will work very well on the more accessible areas. (Check the web; Screwfix aren't the cheapest). For fiddly areas, Nitromorse will work. Just lay it on till the paint softens and scrape with it off with a knife. (don't dab with a brush, as Nitromorse advise). Before repainting, give the gates a spray with Screwfix's 'No Nonsense Zinc Primer'. It acts as a galvaniser on the iron, and will help keep the gates rust-free after painting.

[leahbee]

Thank you all so much.
It all sounds too heavy work for me it looks like I will have to get someone to do the job or just paint over it again with hammerite.

[jomifl]

Phosphoric acid gel will dissolve the rust that you can't get to. It is slow but thorough.

[Mosaic]

This stuff works wonders
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=naval+jelly+rust+remover&tag=googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=27959274900&;hvpos=1t1&;hvexid=759060&hvnetw=g&hvrand=776635588726181127&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_7e1goicayd_b

[leahbee]

Thanks. I will send for the gel.