How To Remove Rust Spots From Ironmongery

Why Does Cast Iron & Hand Forged Ironmongery Rust?

Cast iron and mild steel are ferrous metals, which means they are prone to rusting in damp or wet conditions.

The familiar orange-brown flaky coating is caused when the metal reacts with oxygen and moisture, forming iron oxide.

The rate of rusting depends on the conditions. It will usually form more quickly in warmer, wetter environments.

Seaside areas will encounter the fastest rusting of cast iron items, as salt water speeds up the rusting process.

Cast Iron Door & Window Furniture

Cast iron door and window furniture is a popular choice for period properties and modern homes alike.

It provides a classic look with authentic character. These products are usually coated in a traditional black or pewter finish.

The cast iron finishes offer a level of rust protection that will provide many years of use.

Additional maintenance is advised as soon as any flaking or damage to the coating is noticed.

This is not a fault of the product, but is caused by the natural process of iron oxidisation.

Exterior door hardware and garden gate furniture has a UV and rust protection coating that is designed to withstand the elements better than interior cast iron products.

However, rust and discolouration may still appear, especially around areas of friction.

This can happen within a short space of time after installation and is due to the natural oxidisation of cast iron.

In coastal areas, the protective coating will wear and weather at an increased rate due to salty air.

Hand Forged Ironmongery

Hand forged latches, hinges and accessories are made on the anvil from mild steel, which is heated and hammered into shape.

These are popular products for traditional ledge and brace doors. They are often found in older properties and cottage-style homes.

Hand forged latches offer authentic period character.

Hand forged products are not recommended for external use unless specified.

External grade hand forged items will have a special coating for withstanding the elements.

As with cast iron products, even with an external grade coating, they will still be prone to rusting, especially around screw holes and areas of friction.

This is the nature of the product.

If rust spots appear on your hand forged items, follow the advice below and maintain them with a regular rub of beeswax.

Maintaining Your Door & Window Furniture

Prevention is always better than cure.

The best advice is to treat your cast iron hardware as soon as it is unboxed and maintain it with regular attention.

This is not an onerous task and is well worth doing to keep your cast iron furniture in good condition.

Tips for preventing rust

• Apply a light oil or beeswax onto moving parts when first fitting.
• Maintain with an occasional rub of oil.
• Linseed oil is excellent for giving rust protection.
• Beeswax is ideal for hand forged products.
• Be extra careful when fitting screws to ensure the protective coating is not damaged.
• Keep your cast iron product as dry and clean as possible.

What To Do When Rust Spots Appear

With constant use, the protective coating of cast iron hardware will always wear over time.

This is especially common around moving parts and screw holes.

Even with careful use, rust spots may appear. This is the nature of cast iron products.

Some people find that oxidisation adds character to the product and gives it an aged appearance.

The rustic look remains popular, and cast iron products provide a fitting detail for this style.

If you prefer the original finish, there are measures you can take to limit the spread of rust and maintain the item.

The most important point is to prevent damage to the surrounding coating.

Tips for repairing rust spots

• Wipe clean with an oiled rag.
• Remove any rust, paint chips or flaking material with a small wire brush or wire wool.
• Make sure the surfaces are dry and grease free before applying a layer of matching paint.
• Small areas of damage or paint chips can be repaired with black enamel hobby paint such as Humbrol, preferably in a gloss or semi-gloss finish.
• For larger areas of damage, or to repaint the entire product, remove the original coating first.
• Use a specialist metal paint such as Hammerite enamel paint. These can be bought from most good DIY stores.
• Pewter items are slightly trickier to repair, but Hammerite also offers a range of colours in its direct to rust metal paint.

Rustic Style

As a final note, it is worth considering a different view of the rust issue for cast iron and hand forged hardware.

All ferrous metals are prone to rusting, including mild steel, cast iron and wrought iron.

Depending on the surrounding conditions, even with careful use, this type of ironmongery may develop the occasional rust spot.

Instead of seeing this as a negative, it can be seen as part of the product's rustic character.

There has been a rise in the popularity of rustic interior design styles, with weather-worn items often used as decorative features.

Some products are even deliberately allowed to rust to achieve a rustic look.

So embrace the character and do not worry too much about the occasional spot of rust.