6 Best Paint for Wrought Iron (to Ensure Effective Painting)

Whether it’s iron or aluminum, painting metal can become very complicated very fast. But when you’ve got the best paint for wrought iron by your side, it’s going to be easier than ever. 

In this in-depth review, we’ll talk about 6 different paints that can give you the magnificent finish you deserve. There are going to be good things and there will be harsh truths. 

Nonetheless, all the products here are worthy to be champions. But before we go into all that, let’s start by looking at this comparison table we made-

Best Black Paint For Wrought Iron Fence for Commercial and Home Use

If you’re in a hurry, you can jump straight into our top picks (these are the wrought iron spray paint that most people buy).

• Iron Gate (Black), Heirloom Traditions All-In-One Paint.
• Rust-Oleum 7777830 Stops Rust Spray Paint.
• Rust-Oleum 7797502 Stops Rust Brush On Paint.

Comparison of Our List of the Best Paint for Wrought Iron

Product	Type	Size
Rust-Oleum 7578838	Oil-based	15 fl oz
Rust-Oleum 7251830-6PK Spray Paint	Oil-based	12 fl oz
Modern Masters ME208-06	Water-based	6 fl oz
Rust-Oleum 7215502	Oil-based	1 quart
DecoArt, Wrought Iron Black Patio Paint	Water-based	2 fl oz
Rust-Oleum 223525	Oil-based	12 fl oz

1. Rust-Oleum 7578838

We’re starting off our list with Rust-Oleum enamel spray paint, the best enamel spray paint you can get for your wrought iron. 

Anyone who’s been in the painting industry for some time knows about the brand reputation of Rust-Oleum. And this product made sure to keep that reputation intact. 

The formulation of this paint makes it perfect for both ferrous and non-ferrous metal. So, obviously, you can consider it as one of the best paint for wrought iron fence. 

Other than that, the durability of this paint is enhanced with its oil-based formula. In fact, you can rest assured while using it outdoors. 

Moreover, you can complete a quick paint job in only 15 minutes. What more do you want from spray paint, right?

Pros

• Good for any kind of surface 
• The durable formula ensures rust protection
• Dries in only 15 minutes
• Perfect for small projects 

Cons

• Can only cover a small area

Click here to check out the latest price of this painter at Amazon.

2. Rust-Oleum 7251830-6PK Spray Paint

Our second contender is also Rust-Oleum. The quality and durability of this paint make it the best spray paint for metal, moreover, it’s from the best spray paint brand. 

There are extra weather and corrosion-resistant coating for protecting the surface from any kind of moisture or rust. You’re kind of hitting two birds with one stone, huh?

Other than that, the final look of this paint is exceptional. It manages to hide all the imperfections that metal surfaces usually have. So, we can confidently say that it’s the best paint for wrought iron gate. 

In fact, you can use it on any other surface too. You’ll get that tough hammered and vintage look. Paint your metal items with this product and you’ve got yourself a vintage setup.

Pros

• Complete protection with only 2 coats
• Can cover up to 15 sq. ft
• Oil-based formula
• Suitable for any surface

Cons

• Takes a long time to dry

If you want to check out the latest price, click here. It will take you to Amazon.

3. Modern Masters ME208-06

Do you ever wish there was a product specifically made for iron surfaces? Well,  the Modern Masters Metallic Paint was built only for this purpose. 

You see it has a sufficient amount of tiny metal particles for giving a true and realistic finish. The oxidized metal finish can turn around the look of an iron door or gate. 

The fact that you can use it both indoors and outdoors makes it the best paint for wrought iron doors. 

However, we kind of expected this product to be oil-based. We get that to become reactive to metal, it has to be water-based. 

But when it’s about durability, nothing beats oil-based paints. Additionally, there’s one other fact we didn’t like. Even though it’s a water-based paint it takes more than 30 minutes to dry off. 

Nonetheless, you can sacrifice these tiny matters as you’ll be getting that magnificent finish. And the best part is the application couldn’t get any easier.  

Pros

• Gives a metallic look to the surface
• Contains actual metal particles 
• Can be used both indoors and outdoors
• Comes with a rust activator for oxidizing

Cons

• Takes some time to dry

To check out the latest price on Amazon, click here.

4. Rust-Oleum 7215502

Were you surprised to see Rust-Oleum once again? After looking at the Rust-Oleum Hammered Paint reviews, we’re sure you’ll understand the reasons behind it. 

Forget about that. You already know about this product. Remember the second product on our list that’s also from Rust-Oleum? Well, this one’s simply a bigger version of that. 

The smaller version could cover only 15 sq. ft while this one can cover up to 100 sq. ft. You could easily paint all the iron furniture and door of your house with only 1 container. 

Other than that, the hammered look vanishes all the imperfections of the surface effectively. All in all, this is the best paint for wrought iron patio furniture. 

Pros

• Enough paint for your wrought iron furniture
• Extreme protection with an oil-based formula
• Hammered finish hides imperfections
• No need to prime before paint.

Cons

• Takes some time to dry

If you want to check out the latest price, click here. It will take you to Amazon.

5. DecoArt, Wrought Iron Black Patio Paint

Now, let’s talk about the DecoArt Patio Paint. Even though we’ve mentioned the black color here. But turns out DecoArt has a collection of 20 different colors for painting patio furniture. 

You never know which color you’re going to like the most. Moreover, a lot of people like to have different color themes in different rooms or areas. For those people, this product should be at the top. 

Other than that, the formulation comes with weather and rust protection. So, you don’t need to spend any extra money on varnish or sealants. 

Most importantly, you can use it on outdoor furniture. That’s where most paints perform poorly. With a little moisture and heat, you start to notice wear and tear. 

But that’s not the case with this paint. Not only this is the best paint for wrought iron outdoor furniture but you also get the best colors to paint wrought iron patio furniture. 

Pros

• Comes in 20 different colors 
• No varnish or sealant required for protection
• Completely weather and rustproof
• Dries in only 15-20 minutes

Cons

• A bit pricey

To check out the latest price on Amazon, click here.

6. Rust-Oleum 223525

Finally, as our last contender, we’re going with the Rust-Oleum Multicolor Textured Spray Paint. Based on the colors available, this is the best spray paint for wrought iron furniture. 

Moreover, it has all the qualities a high-quality Rust-Oleum should have. From complete protection against rust and moisture to quick drying time, it excels in all factors. 

However, if you didn’t know multi-colored paints have a tendency to chip and fade away. But you can rest assured that you’ll face none of those issues with this premium paint that doesn’t have a premium price tag. 

The only bad side we could find is this product covers only 6 sq. ft of area. Other than that, it’s the best paint for wrought iron bench and such. 

Pros

• Dries in only 15 minutes
• The Rustoleum oil based paint formula ensures extreme protection
• 8 different textured colors are available 
• Affordable 

Cons

• Covers only 6 sq. ft

If you want to check out the latest price, click here. It will take you to Amazon.

Buying Guide

It’s not that easy to find the best paint for wrought iron railing when you’re on your own. You’ll have to consider a lot of factors before you even look for the product. 

If you don’t know which is what, you may end up getting something you don’t need at all. Or even worse, it doesn’t go with your requirements. 

That’s why you should take a look at our buying guide before you go out and buy a product. After all, you need to have some knowledge to get yourself the best paint for wrought iron furniture. 

Formula

Without the formula, you wouldn’t know where and where to use the paint. That’s why this factor should be at the top of your priority list. 

The surprising fact is, there are more than 24 types of paint available right now. Although you mightn’t even need some of those in your lifetime. But anyhow, you do need to know the most common types of paint. 

Water-based paints

The first type that comes to our mind is water-based paints. Easy cleanup is what makes them so popular among users. 

However, they do have some problems. You can’t use water-based paints in moist environments. As they absorb water from the air, moist environments can make it harder for the paint to dry. 

Oil-based paints

On the other hand, oil-based paints are much more wear and tear proof than water-based paints. But they take a huge amount of time to dry. Moreover, you have to make some preparations before you can use them. 

Moreover, some oil-based paints have a significant amount of VOC in them. So, naturally, that makes it dangerous to work with it in enclosed areas. More importantly, they can harm your pet’s health. 

Finish

The finish has the capability of changing the overall look of furniture or surface. You never know how it’s going to look when it’s completely dry. 

However, don’t go for matte finishes if you like shiny things. It won’t give much shine to the object. In fact, it can even seem dull in low light or in enclosed areas. 

Additionally, lights don’t bounce off of matte-finished surfaces. There’s not much light to bounce off in the first place. This will eventually give your yard a much darker shade. 

On the other hand, glossy paints are completely different. They’ll bounce whatever light they get. Sometimes it can become quite irritating to look at too. 

But at the end of the day, it all depends on what you like. You can have that same effect with a coat of varnish over your matte-finished paint too. But why do the extra work, right? 

Nonetheless, there are finishes that maintain the perfect balance between shine and gloss. Eggshell and satin finishes are two good examples of this. But depending on what you prefer, you can go for any of these. 

Primers and Extra Coatings

If you didn’t know, priming before painting can help you get that perfect result you want. Putting 2 layers of primer can really bring out the perfection in your paint job. 

You see, primers fill up the tiny holes and bumps that are on the surface. This applies more to rough surfaces. You have no idea how many tiny holes a rough surface can have. This is where the primer comes in and makes the surface smooth. 

Other than that, you’ll find bonding agents and varnishes too. Bonding agents are a personal favorite of mine. 

They help the paint stick to the surface a lot better. Simply apply a coat of this before you start painting and you’ll be good to go. 

On the other hand, we’ve already explained what varnishes do. It’ll give your furniture a nice shiny touch. This is more important for matte-finished products as a lot of them tend to be ‘too matte’. 

FAQs

Question: How do you prepare iron for painting?

Answer: You should start by removing all the scrapes and rust from the iron. Our weapon of choice would be a wire brush. Then, wash it off and wait for it to be completely dried. Finally, finish off with 2 coats of primer and paint. 

Question: Do you have to sand iron before painting?

Answer: You’ll have a much smoother surface to work on after sanding the iron. Sanding it essentially smoothens the rough spots and tiny holes. Moreover, you’ll get to scrape off any rust that was already there.  

Question: What sandpaper to use on iron before painting?

Answer: Sanding off wrought iron is an important preparation before you can apply paint on it. To start the process, you can use 120-grit sandpaper and finish it off with smooth 320-grit sandpaper. 

Verdict

Wrought irons are used in some of the most unique and vintage looking items. So, when you have something made from this, it’s better to take care of it. And the best paint for wrought iron is more than enough to give it the protection it deserves. 

Nonetheless, you should go through our buying guide before you go out to buy paint for wrought irons. We guarantee you, it’ll help you. 

Good luck!