How to Protect Steel Gates From Rust

Long term exposure to wind, heat, rain, and dust will make steel gates rust and corrode.

This is why proper and periodic maintenance is important, as it adds life to the gates.

Below are some tips to protecting steel gates from premature rusting:

1. Periodic Cleaning
Wrought iron gates offer good strength, resilience, and durability, but they easily gather dirt and dust. It's a good thing cleaning is also easy. You just need warm soapy water and cloth to get rid of grime, dust, bird poop, etc. After cleaning, wash the gate with a garden hose and then check the structure for any sign or element of corrosion.

2. Sanding
Rust can be rubbed off easily using a sandpaper. After sanding, apply two coats of a primer that contains rust inhibitors. Remember to allow the first coat of primer to completely dry prior to giving the gate a second coat.

3. Sandblasting
Sandblasting is another great way to remove foreign matters, dust, rust, etc. It must be performed before painting or galvanizing a steel gate. It is considered by many to be one of the most effective methods of protecting steel hates from rust-causing elements and providing the metal with a smooth finish.

4. Epoxy Primer
Epoxy primer is widely utilized for protecting steel products. It is non-porous, meaning it doesn't absorb moisture unlike other primers. Also, it does not chip. It's a great option if you have damp climate. This is quite expensive but very effective and reliable. If you have invested on automatic steel gates, it's but necessary to protect it.

Simply apply the primer using a sprayer to get an even paint on the steel. If the surface of the metal is not even or is rough, consider using "filler" primer. Such permeates into rough surfaces.

5. Galvanization
Galvanizing is another great option to protecting steel gates from rust and corrosion. It's the process of coating steel gates with a fine layer of zinc by dipping the metal material in molten zinc and allowing the coat to dry. Hot-dip galvanization is one of the most popular ways to preventing rust in steel objects. It's a very cost-effective process and increases the life expectancy of steel, considering its rust control properties. The galvanized layer offers a long-lasting effect on steel gates which provides longevity, robustness, and self-healing characteristics. The zinc coating is tough and acts as a sacrificial layer.





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Article Source: How to Protect Steel Gates From Rust