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Glass Tile interior and walls
Negative edges and zero edges
Photo by Mark Boisclair
Example of a large trendy backyard stone and custom-shaped infinity pool fountain design in Phoenix
Example of a large trendy backyard stone and custom-shaped infinity pool fountain design in Phoenix

Made of solid brass and certificated Swarovski crystals inlaid.
High quality. Very decorative.
Designed and manufactured in Spain.
Available as pre-order Free shipping. Lead time:2-3 weeks.
For more information please contact us by email or by phone.

Finishing and trimming wall panels to cover seams.
Example of a classic basement design in Detroit
Example of a classic basement design in Detroit
Find the right local pro for your project

Ever notice how your iron fence looks more rust than paint after another brutal Chicago winter? That is usually the moment homeowners start searching for a painting contractor who actually understands metal - not just someone who will brush a coat of black paint over active corrosion and call it done. At Windy City Painters, iron fence restoration is one of our most requested services on the North Side and Near West Side, and for good reason. These fences are old, they are beautiful, and they deserve a proper finish system.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
This project involved a full ornamental iron fence on a North Side greystone property. The fence was original to the building - likely installed in the 1910s or 1920s - and had gone through multiple paint cycles without any rust conversion work. By the time Windy City Painters arrived, the horizontal rails showed active pitting, the vertical spindles had surface rust under lifting paint, and two corner posts had minor joint separation. The homeowner wanted the fence restored to a sharp satin black finish that would hold through multiple Chicago winters.
MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS
Ospho Rust Converter - phosphoric acid formula that chemically neutralizes iron oxide and converts it to iron phosphate, a stable paintable surface. Used on all pitted and actively corroded areas before primer application.
Rust-Oleum DTM Rust-Inhibitive Primer - direct-to-metal primer that bonds to both converted rust zones and bare metal, blocking moisture intrusion at the substrate level.
Sherwin-Williams DTM Acrylic Topcoat - flexible, moisture-resistant finish formulated to expand and contract with metal through temperature cycling. Applied in two finish coats in satin black.
For cases with deeper rust penetration, Corroseal Water-Based Rust Converter and Metal Primer is an alternative that combines conversion and priming in a single product, useful on complex ornamental profiles where two-product systems are harder to apply.
THE PROCESS
Step 1 - Mechanical Preparation. Windy City Painters wire-wheels all loose rust, flaking paint, and scale using angle grinders fitted with wire wheel attachments. On heavily pitted sections, needle gun descaling is used to reach rust in tight ornamental grooves. This step is non-negotiable. No coating bonds reliably to iron oxide, and skipping this step is the single most common reason iron fence paint fails within a year.
Step 2 - Rust Conversion. Ospho is brushed into all pitted and bare metal areas and allowed to fully react. The surface shifts from orange to a grayish-black iron phosphate layer. This stable base accepts primer without the risk of rust migrating upward through the paint film over time.
Step 3 - Primer Coat. Rust-Oleum DTM rust-inhibitive primer is applied full coverage over the entire fence surface, including areas that appeared clean but showed minor surface oxidation. DTM primer acts as a moisture barrier and mechanical adhesion layer for the finish coats.
Step 4 - Finish Coats. Two coats of Sherwin-Williams DTM acrylic topcoat are applied in satin black, with adequate dry time between coats. The DTM formula remains flexible after cure, allowing the iron to expand and contract through Chicago temperature swings without the topcoat cracking or peeling at joints.
CHICAGO-SPECIFIC CHALLENGES
Ornamental iron on Chicago greystones, two-flats, and Victorian brownstones was almost never hot-dip galvanized. It was painted from installation and has relied on continuous paint maintenance ever since. Chicago winters add specific stress: freeze-thaw cycles force water into any paint film crack, expanding it; road salt spray elevates corrosive chloride exposure; and humidity during spring thaw keeps metal surfaces wet for extended periods. This combination accelerates rust spread beneath paint films that appear intact on the surface.
WHAT TO EXPECT LONG-TERM
A properly prepped and primed iron fence finished with a DTM topcoat system should hold 5-8 years in Chicago conditions before any touch-up is warranted. Annual inspection of joints, welds, and areas near grade level will catch early moisture entry before it becomes a larger rust issue. Windy City Painters recommends scheduling touch-up earlier rather than waiting for full paint failure to protect the prep investment.
PRO TIPS
Tip 1 - Address joint separation before painting. If fence rails have separated at welds or mechanical joints, water will enter and rust will restart from inside the connection point regardless of the exterior coating. Flag any separated joints for welding before any paint system is applied.
Tip 2 - Never use latex house paint on iron fences. Standard exterior latex lacks the adhesion and flexibility for bare metal. Always use a product labeled DTM or specify a rust-inhibitive primer underneath any finish coat applied to iron.
Tip 3 - Paint in late spring or early fall. Iron fences exposed to full sun in peak summer heat can reach surface temperatures that cause solvent-based coatings to blister during application. Ideal application conditions are 50-85 degrees Fahrenheit with low humidity and no direct intense sun on the metal surface.
Learn more about iron fence painting cost in Chicago and schedule your free estimate at windypainters.com
FAQ
Q: What does iron fence painting cost in Chicago?
A: Windy City Painters typically prices residential iron fence painting at $8-$18 per linear foot. Variables include rust severity, spindle density, ornamental profile complexity, and whether rust conversion products like Ospho or Corroseal are required before priming.
Q: Can you paint over rust without grinding it off first?
A: No. Windy City Painters always performs mechanical prep before any coating. Wire wheel grinding removes loose scale and flaking paint. Rust converters handle residual oxidation chemically. Skipping this step means the new paint film will delaminate within one season.
Q: How do I know if my iron fence needs a welder before painting?
A: Windy City Painters inspects all joints and rail connections during the estimate. Rail separation, cracked welds, or sections that flex when pressed indicate structural issues that should be welded before any paint system is applied to avoid reopening at stress points.
Q: What is the difference between Ospho and Corroseal?
A: Both are rust converters. Ospho is a phosphoric acid solution applied as a separate step before priming, giving maximum control over conversion and primer selection. Corroseal combines conversion and primer in one product, which works well on complex ornamental profiles where a two-step system is harder to apply evenly.
Q: How long does the paint last on an iron fence in Chicago?
A: With full mechanical prep, rust conversion, DTM primer, and two DTM topcoats, Windy City Painters clients typically see 5-8 years of performance before touch-up is needed, even through Chicago freeze-thaw cycling and road salt exposure.
Q: Do you paint iron fences that are still structurally sound but heavily rusted on the surface?
A: Yes. Surface rust, even heavy pitting, does not necessarily indicate structural failure. Windy City Painters evaluates each fence individually. As long as the metal is sound under the rust, proper mechanical prep and a rust converter restore the surface to a paintable condition.

A stunning wallpaper design of black outlined Geisha motifs under a spot light of metallic gold butterflies.
Example of a trendy living room design in Sussex
Example of a trendy living room design in Sussex

Lucas Fladzinski Photography
Example of a small trendy master gray tile and cement tile bathroom design in San Francisco
Example of a small trendy master gray tile and cement tile bathroom design in San Francisco

Ombre Tatami, a hand-cut mosaic shown in Opal, Covellite, Delft, Iolite, Rhodolite, Sodalite, Lapis Lazuli, Ametrine, and Fluorite jewel glass, is part of the Broad Street™ collection by New Ravenna.

Bookmatching Stone Natural Blue Green Marble Wall Backgroud Marble Slab Tile - www.stone2buy.com
Elegant bedroom photo in San Francisco
Elegant bedroom photo in San Francisco

Reminiscent of the linear pattern of natural wood grain, stunning Zebrino Black Polished offers a truly timeless look in refined black-hued marble. Bring a bit of chic to your space with Zebrino Black Polished.

Reclaimed Hardwood Floor
Small mountain style enclosed dark wood floor living room photo in Denver
Small mountain style enclosed dark wood floor living room photo in Denver

Oversized and underused was how our Client described their old furniture for this space. We were brought in to come up with a furniture plan and accessorizing details that would make the space livable and loveable again!

Large cottage l-shaped light wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

The stairs were in old tiles technology. To maintain the climate of the Club and somehow rustical character of an old Warsaw club, we did a glow polyaspartic layer with photoluminescent pigments. The job was to be done within a few hours...
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