AboutEileen Cronk Expertise If you are decorating your home on a budget I can answer most questions about what to look for when buying "good old stuff" at garage sales, yard sales or auctions. I can answer most questions about the refinishing, and repairing of wood items. I have had lots of experience in this area and made lots of mistakes over the years which I may help you avoid.
Experience I have been haunting auction sales,flea markets etc. for 30 yrs. I have worked extensively at refinishing, and repairing all the old stuff I bring home. I also work for other people, and do repairs and refinishing for several antique stores.
Expert: Eileen Cronk Date: 11/7/2007 Subject: Changing color on Wroth Iron Chairs
Question Unlike most of your readers, I have some wroth iron chairs that I use with my kitchen table. They are not rusted and is in excellent condition. I purchase a new table and would love to keep my chairs (they were very expensive). However, I need to change the color. They are black with a bronze like color coming through. I would like to change them to an antique bronze or something similar. I never done this type of work before. Would you please give me complete advice on how to do this project. Thank you,
Answer Hi Tonya
Nice to hear from you.
Glad to give what advice I can.
For any paint job, the surface prep is the most important step.
So first a light sanding of the metal.
In areas that are hard to sand use steel wool to rough the surface.
Next a coat of primer.
If you are lucky enough to get out side to spray it on all the better, but it can be brushed on too.
The spray can of primer will clearly state metal primer.
Next your top coat in your color choice.
You can get bronze color spray paint, then use an antique gel over it to add the antique look.
This gel is sold at craft stores and comes in many color shades.
You brush it on then wipe back with a rag to the degree you like.
And just for anyone reading this thinking "you can't do this or you can't do that", I assure you you can.
Last winter I restored 7 of those old metal floor lamps..iron and metal.
I used metal primer, then water based spray paint, then the antique gel. They turned out lovely.
But always do your color samples on a small area of your chairs.
It may take a bit of fiddling to get the color you like.
Good Luck and great question.
Regards
Eileen
