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Iron furniture is not just for the country kitsch look or for the outdoors,
anymore. The current trend that is here to stay is bringing the outside
inside and visa versa. Iron furniture exudes a look and feel of time past,
but with the modern design elements that have been utilized in their
construction, thus iron furniture can also offer a simplistic modern feel.
One of the primary reasons why iron furniture is gaining in popularity for
the indoors is technology has enabled the forging process to become more
streamlined and it has allowed for the designs to become more delicate and
ornate. The forging process for iron furniture is pretty in-depth. We will
provide you with a brief overview of the basics, but keep in mind that there
are different processes. First of all forging is the manufacturing process
that entails the metal to be pressed at a high pressure to create parts.
This process can also entail the metal to be heated to a high temperature
prior to it being pressed. Some of the common metals that are used to create
iron furniture are carbon, alloy or stainless steel, and aluminum. Then it
is on to the foundry also known as casting process. Which is a process where
the metal is heated to a liquid state then poured into casts to be formed
into the components that will make up your chosen iron furniture. Once the
furniture is assembled then it is usually sandblasted to eliminate any rough
edges and provide a clean surface to be painted.
Often iron furniture is painted the standard black, but today the paint
finishes are endless. You always have the option of painting your iron
furniture yourself enabling you to achieve just the right look to coordinate
into your home or garden’s decor. There are a few steps to take when you are
going to paint the iron furniture, whether it is rusted or not. First of all
you need to remove the finish that is already on the item. You can achieve
this by scouring the surface with a fine-grade steel wool. If your item is
rusted then you need to apply kerosene onto the surface then scour. Repeat
this process until you see the bare iron. Then sand the area that you have
scoured, rinse the furniture to remove all of the dust and debris. Dry the
item with a thick absorbent towel. Prime your item with a rust-inhibiting
primer. Be sure to follow the directions implicitly. Once your iron
furniture is primed, its time to be creative and paint or you can always use
spray paint. Some of the spray paints that are available on the market can
give you a very rich look. Be creative and use the marbled spray paint or
another option is to use the bronzed patinas imparting a true look of days
past. Make sure that your paint has dried completely it should take about
two – three days. Once your iron furniture is completely dry then use a dry
cloth with car wax and apply liberally into the furniture. Your iron
furniture does need to be cleaned thoroughly at least once a year. To
accomplish this wipe your furniture down with white vinegar then apply a car
wax. You do not need to rinse the vinegar. This will enable you and your
family to use your beloved iron furniture for years to come.
Exterior Worlds is your one stop shop for all of your iron furniture
wants and needs. We provide a vast array of iron furniture and are
consistently increasing our already expansive online store. So, be sure to
stop by often to view our new stock. |