The use of wrought iron as a decoration of wealthy homes and as a way to protect against enemies has been carried out for centuries. Currently, forged bladed weapons are made more for decorative purposes, but the elements of artistic forging as interior parts are becoming more and more popular by the day.
The presence of such items indicates good taste and high status of their owners. Objects of artistic forging can serve more than one generation, but to extend their life cycle it is necessary to use special protective coatings and care products.
Nowadays, wrought iron can have two types of protective coatings. The first type includes powder coating. It is usually used to protect objects of «domestic» use that are not exposed to significant external weathering. Such items include various furniture elements, candlesticks, wrought iron staircase parts, wall ornaments, etc.д.
Such coating is made by applying powder paint to the surface of the forged product by means of aerosol spraying. The presence of a thin layer of such paint can reliably protect the product from mechanical damage, as well as give the object the desired color. The powder coat paint used is completely environmentally friendly, because it contains no solvents, and the product can be placed even in a child’s room.
Products that are permanently or temporarily outdoors need more protection to prevent corrosion. In such cases, use the technology of galvanizing. The resulting coating is quite resistant and does not allow the occurrence of metal oxidation processes.
The main disadvantage of this method is the deterioration of the appearance of forged products. Therefore, in order to give a noble look to the wrought iron products, after galvanizing they need to be painted additionally, but only after six months after treatment, because, otherwise, the applied paint will quickly crack. Remember that you can not use galvanizing for fireplace grids, because under the influence of high temperatures zinc releases harmful substances into the atmosphere.
