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Restore iron frame for picnic table

I have a really old iron frame for a picnic table that I would love to redo. The problem is, is that while kept at my mom's the frame became really rusted. I need to know if it will be possible to sand off the rust and paint over it, or is there something out there that I can prime it with to keep the paint from falling off?

Katherine Dudley
- Athens, Georgia
2002

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I really recommend that you get the rust off before painting, or else risk having the new coat flake off even with good primer. You could try sandblasting, sandpaper, muriatic acid ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] (which is dilute hydrochloric acid), or rust solvent, such as C-L-R ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] . Be careful if you use the acid or solvent, and rinse well afterwards.

Tim Neveau
Rochester Hills, Michigan
2002

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Hi, Katherine. After removing the heavy rust with one of the methods that Tim has mentioned, you will want to apply naval jelly ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] or other rust converter ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] , which converts the remaining powdery rust to a more solid and stable form of iron. Good luck!

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
September , 2009