This exterior spiral staircase was fabricated in 1 piece. It has a double top rail, decorative pickets, 4" outer diameter center pole fastened to a concrete caisson. The finish is a copper vein exterior powder coat to be able to withstand the unpredictable Colorado weather.

Elliott Johnson Photographer
Cottage backyard pool photo in San Luis Obispo

This is a fun project we did a while back. It features a tube steel Pergola with Ipe Runners. The main structure is 3" x 3" square tube columns and 3" x 6" tube beams. Front sides of Columns were capped with ¼” x 6” flat bar to give the structure more of a squared look. All butt welds were ground clean and polished. The entire structure was chemically treated black and coated with a Clear Finish. The fireplace panel and trim were added shortly after completing the structure. Panels are ¼” hot rolled steel plate. The Paneling was done so that the middle piece rests in front of the sides, giving it more depth and character. The trim panel around the hearth is made from ¼” Flat bar. These were also blackened and cleared.

This exterior spiral staircase was fabricated in 1 piece. It has a double top rail, decorative pickets, 4" outer diameter center pole fastened to a concrete caisson. The finish is a copper vein exterior powder coat to be able to withstand the unpredictable Colorado weather.

Ever notice how your iron fence looks worse every spring after another Chicago winter? That slow deterioration is not cosmetic - it is active metal failure that compounds every freeze-thaw cycle until replacement becomes the only option. Windy City Painters works with homeowners across the Chicago North Side and Near West Side to restore original iron fencing on greystones, two-flats, Victorian brownstones, and coach houses before that point is reached. PROJECT OVERVIEW This iron fence restoration involved a classic Chicago residential property with original wrought iron fencing showing surface rust across the majority of pickets, flaking previous paint coats, and localized deep pitting near the base rails. A structural check identified two loose pickets requiring welding before any surface preparation or coating began. Total linear footage fell in the mid-range for a standard Chicago residential lot. MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS Windy City Painters selected Ospho rust converter for chemically neutralizing active iron oxide before priming. Ospho reacts with rust to form a stable phosphate compound that stops corrosion progression rather than simply sealing over it. Sherwin-Williams DTM rust-inhibitive primer was applied to all bare and converted surfaces, followed by two finish coats of Rust-Oleum DTM in satin black. DTM - direct to metal - formulas provide corrosion inhibitors built into the coating matrix, which matters significantly in Chicago's climate. THE PROCESS Step 1 - Structural Assessment and Welding Coordination. Before any surface preparation begins, Windy City Painters inspects every picket and rail connection for structural integrity. Loose or cracked iron must be welded before coating. Paint applied over a compromised joint will fail within one season as movement continues to break the bond. On this project, two pickets were tack-welded by a coordinating welder before prep started. Step 2 - Wire Wheel Grinding and Needle Gun Descaling. All rusted sections were ground to bare or near-bare metal using wire wheel attachments and needle gun descaling tools. This step removes loose scale, flaking previous coatings, and surface contamination that would prevent primer adhesion. Skipping mechanical prep is the single most common reason iron fence paint fails prematurely on Chicago properties. Step 3 - Ospho Rust Converter Application. Ospho was brushed into all pitted and converted areas and allowed to cure fully. The phosphoric acid chemistry converts iron oxide into iron phosphate, arresting active rust and creating a surface that accepts primer more effectively than bare metal alone. Corroseal is an equivalent alternative used on projects with heavier pitting. Step 4 - DTM Primer and Finish Coat Application. Sherwin-Williams DTM rust-inhibitive primer was applied across all prepared surfaces. Two topcoats of Rust-Oleum DTM in satin black followed after full primer cure. DTM finish coats add a second corrosion-inhibiting layer and provide the UV and weather resistance needed for Chicago exterior iron work. CHICAGO-SPECIFIC CHALLENGES Chicago iron fencing faces conditions that accelerate corrosion faster than most US markets. Lake humidity keeps metal surface moisture elevated through much of the year. Road salt splash from winter maintenance reaches fencing along parkways and sidewalk edges, introducing chlorides that aggressively attack iron. Freeze-thaw cycles expand any rust pocket that has formed under paint, lifting coatings from the inside and creating the classic bubbled-paint appearance homeowners notice every spring. WHAT TO EXPECT LONG-TERM With Ospho conversion, DTM primer, and two DTM finish coats properly applied over mechanically prepared surfaces, most Chicago residential iron fences hold 5-8 years before needing significant touch-up. Annual visual inspection for any chips or bare spots, with immediate touch-up using Rust-Oleum DTM, extends that window considerably. PRO TIPS Tip 1 - Address any bare metal spot the same season you notice it. A pinhole of exposed iron becomes a rust bubble within one Chicago winter and a flaking section by the following spring. Tip 2 - Never paint over active rust without a converter step. Ospho or Corroseal is inexpensive insurance against a complete repaint two years early. Tip 3 - Check picket bases at grade level every spring. Ground contact accelerates corrosion at the base faster than anywhere else on the fence. Catching it early keeps welding out of the equation. Contact Windy City Painters at windypainters.com for a project estimate. FAQ Q: What does iron fence painting cost in Chicago? A: Residential iron fence painting with proper rust prep typically runs $300-$900 for standard lot footage. Windy City Painters provides itemized estimates based on linear footage, rust severity, and whether structural welding is required before surface preparation begins. Q: Do you paint over rust or remove it first? A: Windy City Painters always addresses active rust before priming. Ospho or Corroseal rust converter chemically neutralizes iron oxide, and wire wheel grinding removes loose scale - coating over unaddressed rust guarantees early failure on Chicago iron fences. Q: When does an iron fence need welding before painting? A: Loose pickets, cracked rails, or connections with visible movement require welding before any coating work begins. Paint cannot stabilize a structural joint - Windy City Painters coordinates with welders when this condition is identified during initial assessment. Q: How long does iron fence paint last in Chicago? A: With mechanical prep, Ospho conversion, and Sherwin-Williams or Rust-Oleum DTM coatings, properly restored iron fencing holds 5-8 years in Chicago's freeze-thaw climate before needing significant maintenance. Q: Is Ospho better than Corroseal for Chicago iron fences? A: Both are effective rust converters. Ospho is a liquid phosphoric acid treatment suited for moderate rust and pitting. Corroseal is a latex-based converter-primer hybrid better suited to heavier rust profiles. Windy City Painters selects based on site conditions. Q: What finish sheen works best on iron fencing? A: Satin or semi-gloss black is the traditional and most durable choice for Chicago greystone and brownstone properties. Satin hides minor surface imperfections better than gloss while still providing adequate UV and moisture resistance. Q: Can iron fence painting be done in spring or fall in Chicago? A: Yes. Windy City Painters schedules iron fence work in temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit with low ambient humidity - spring and early fall are often ideal windows that avoid both winter cold and peak summer humidity.

Preston Stutzman
Inspiration for a huge timeless wooden curved metal railing staircase remodel in Miami with painted risers

Example of a small island style enclosed light wood floor and beige floor living room library design in Milwaukee with white walls, no fireplace and no tv

Small rustic exterior home idea in Atlanta

Photo by Samantha Robison
Small transitional backyard stone patio photo in Other with a pergola

This is a fun project we did a while back. It features a tube steel Pergola with Ipe Runners. The main structure is 3" x 3" square tube columns and 3" x 6" tube beams. Front sides of Columns were capped with ¼” x 6” flat bar to give the structure more of a squared look. All butt welds were ground clean and polished. The entire structure was chemically treated black and coated with a Clear Finish. The fireplace panel and trim were added shortly after completing the structure. Panels are ¼” hot rolled steel plate. The Paneling was done so that the middle piece rests in front of the sides, giving it more depth and character. The trim panel around the hearth is made from ¼” Flat bar. These were also blackened and cleared.

A private homeowner, who is also a professional architect, wanted a low-maintenance fencing system that wouldn't rot or need painting every few years. They also wanted to use architecturally attractive materials that were durable to match their mid-century modern style home. The fencing fabric was also very important to be balanced visually with the beautiful forestry around their house. The powder-coated WDZ-545 welded wire mesh was the solution they were looking for. This ornamental welded wire mesh creates a stylish pattern to enhance the landscaping of the home, while providing a safe and functional barrier.

This is a fun project we did a while back. It features a tube steel Pergola with Ipe Runners. The main structure is 3" x 3" square tube columns and 3" x 6" tube beams. Front sides of Columns were capped with ¼” x 6” flat bar to give the structure more of a squared look. All butt welds were ground clean and polished. The entire structure was chemically treated black and coated with a Clear Finish. The fireplace panel and trim were added shortly after completing the structure. Panels are ¼” hot rolled steel plate. The Paneling was done so that the middle piece rests in front of the sides, giving it more depth and character. The trim panel around the hearth is made from ¼” Flat bar. These were also blackened and cleared.

A private homeowner, who is also a professional architect, wanted a low-maintenance fencing system that wouldn't rot or need painting every few years. They also wanted to use architecturally attractive materials that were durable to match their mid-century modern style home. The fencing fabric was also very important to be balanced visually with the beautiful forestry around their house. The powder-coated WDZ-545 welded wire mesh was the solution they were looking for. This ornamental welded wire mesh creates a stylish pattern to enhance the landscaping of the home, while providing a safe and functional barrier.

Mountain style dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in Denver with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, an island and brown countertops

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Our company designs builds and installs custom driveway and entry gates for homes and businesses alike. Every gate is handmade from the highest quality steel and are made according to our highest fabrication standards.

This cedar post and rail fence is made of round posts and rails with doweled ends. Post and Rail Fence can be lined with welded wire to keep children and pets safe in an enclosed area. Notice how high the first rail is off of the ground and the relatively tight spacing of the three rails.

Adam Curtis
Small trendy wooden straight staircase photo in DC Metro with metal risers

Our company designs builds and installs custom driveway and entry gates for homes and businesses alike. Every gate is handmade from the highest quality steel and are made according to our highest fabrication standards.