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How to Restore Antique Steel or Iron

Antique metal objects can add a classic elegance to any décor, such as candlesticks, lamps, and furniture. When you find antique steel or iron, and it is covered in rust but you still want to use it in your home décor and don't want to pay the cost of a professional restoration, you can accomplish a home restoration without too much trouble. When performing restorations on any antique item, it is important to do the restoration in an open-air environment to avoid breathing in harmful substances.

Things You'll Need

Respiratory mask
Work gloves
Newspaper
Wire brush
Paint brushes
Lacquer or black paint

Instructions

- 1
  Put on the respiratory mask and work gloves. This is very important so you don't breathe in the rust particles, or hurt your hands while removing the rust and debris from the steel iron.
- 2
  Lay down the newspaper on the floor of your open air space. For best results and less cleaning, you should do this outside on the ground or in a garage on the concrete floor. If you have a back or front porch where the flooring is wood, this is acceptable too.
- 3
  Scrub the steel or iron with a wire brush to remove all rust possible. Make sure you get on the top and bottom of your antique metal object, and in any nook or cranny.
- 4
  Brush the steel iron with a paint brush to remove all of the loose debris after you are done scrubbing it with the wire brush.
- 5
  Apply one or two coats of clear lacquer or black paint to inhibit the development of more rust. Black is a classic color to paint antique steel or iron, but if you don't want to color it you must use a clear coat of lacquer to avoid rust.

Antiquing