Guide to cleaning, sanding and painting rusty gate easily

Exposure to the sun and oppressive heat in summer, the humidity typical of foggy mornings, the torrential rain of the autumn months: all this forms the perfect combo to progressively deteriorate the appearance of the bars at home. Keeping them clean and painted not only improves the appearance of your home, but also prevents rust stains from damaging the other structures they may be in contact with, such as blinds or doors.

Learn in this guide how to clean and paint rusty gates in a few steps and leave them as good as new in a weekend. However, if you have a problem with your gate, you can contact BGD, a company specializing in gate care and repair in Orange County.

How to clean a rusty grating

The secret to keeping your gate from deteriorating is to give them a good cleaning every few months and go over the paint once a year. To clean a fence you will need very few things:

• Bucket of water
• Detergent
• Sponge
• Stiff Bristle Brush

Steps to clean the grating:

1. Clean surface dirt such as spider webs or dirt dust. To do this, fill the bucket with water and put a few drops of a detergent such as Cif Bio Active on the sponge that comes with a new, more concentrated formula guaranteeing maximum performance. Rub the grating to get rid of dust and other dirt.
2. Clean the toughest dirt. Put a few drops of detergent in the bucket of water, dip the stiff bristle brush into the solution, and scrub the grating. Rinse with water.
3. Let the gate dry well before painting it. In this way, the paint will be able to adhere well to the surface.

How to Sand a Grate Fast: 4 Methods 

New house, new life and rusty fences? No problem! Before telling you the step by step on how to paint iron gate, we tell you four methods so that you know how to sand a gate and make it ready for painting:

• Wire brush: Before using any of the following methods, we recommend using a brush to loosen the first layer of paint, rust, and stuck-on dirt.
• Coarse sandpaper: for corroded surfaces, use sandpaper with a grit greater than 80. If you just want to even out the surface (and there is no rust) you can use finer sandpaper.
• Putty knife: ideal for removing paint that is loose, quickly. We recommend that you sand the surface afterwards so that it is even.
• Automatic sanders or grinders: if you have one of these machines at home, they are the best option for sanding quickly. Always start with coarse sandpaper and finish with softer sandpaper to achieve an even finish.

How to paint a rusty gate step by step

If after cleaning the dirt as we told you at the beginning you discover that the paint has come off in some parts or is discolored in others, or even that there are rust stains, it’s time to learn some tricks on how to paint rusty gate:

1. Protect your hands and cover surfaces. Paint can damage your skin. Wear a pair of gloves and cover the fence with plastic or newspapers. Tape them together.
2. Remove the remains of rust and paint so that the surface is smooth when you paint it. Use a wire brush, putty knife, or coarse sandpaper and remove all the paint and rust from the surface. We also recommend that you wear some goggles or protective glasses.
3. Remove the dust. Once you’re done, sweep up any remaining dust before painting again.
4. Apply a rust remover. You can get it at the hardware store. Apply it following the instructions on the package. One of the methods to remove rust at home that you can use is white vinegar. Apply it with a cloth on the surface, leave it on for a few hours and rinse it off. Let the surface dry thoroughly before moving on to the next step.
5. Apply an anti-rust foundation. Before painting, we recommend applying two coats of an anti-rust primer to prevent the gate from rusting again.
6. Time to paint!: apply two or three coats of paint. Once the anti-rust background is dry, use the type of paint that best suits the design and needs of your gate. In addition to the variety of colors, you can opt for matte, glossy or rough finishes. Again, I followed the recommendation on the packaging to use the paint correctly.

How to Paint Gates with a Sponge 

If you want to give your gate a different and original finish, using a sponge is a good alternative. Before painting, follow the steps above: clean the gate well, sand the surface and apply an anti-rust primer. Follow these tips:

• Wear latex gloves to protect your hands. Keep in mind that the sponge will filter the paint so it can damage your hands if they are not protected.
• I chose a painting that is, ideally, the same shade or darker than it is currently. Otherwise, you’re going to have to apply a lot of hands to get it right.
• Prepare the paint following the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Apply the paint subtly. Dip one end of the sponge into the paint, let the excess fall off before transferring it to the gate. Gently rest it over and over again on the grating. Avoid squeezing it too much so that you don’t have small puddles of paint on the surface.
• Let it dry for several hours before repeating the process (if needed).

Now that you know how to paint an iron gate, don’t you want to equip your gate with automation? In this article, we will tell you how we can retrofit your entry gate to open automatically with a remote control.