Wrought iron railing repair

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I recently acquired a side job repairing a wrought iron railing that has some rust and paint in difficult areas to remove as well as some welding repair to it. I was just wondering what method should I use to remove the rust/paint? I'm thinking of either sandblasting or picking up a die grinder to get into those tight places and using angle grinders on the rest. Any thoughts on a how I should attack this.thanks Steve
Reply:Got a pic? Wire wheel on an angle grinder will work wonder.
Reply:I will get some pics and post
Reply:If it is worth repairing, then paint strippers and dental picks work.
Reply:'Wrought iron' or "wrought iron"?The two are not the same (even if both are iron-based materials).IMNSHO, if 'wrought iron' (aka steel railing stuff that most 'wrought iron' is nowadays), then check carefully for just how extensive the rust damage is.  Hollow tube railing stuff is often rather thin gauge to begin with, and once the rust penetrates through then moisture gets in and rusts out a lot more of the hollow tube from the inside.  My take is to cut out and replace entire hollow sections and reweld to the top rail usually.If just 'surface' rust, remove paint with whatever you choose (heat, wire wheels, chemical stripper, abrasive blasting, etc) and go all the way back to clean metal.  Remove rust in a similar method (wire wheels or abrasive media blasting), replace/repair metal as needed.  Prime and paint.This time of year on the East Coast, outdoor painting is a bit iffy because of the weather/temperature.If the job is indoors and the workpiece is free/loose (ie: not in place), you can try dip-n-dunk chemical stripping or media blasting or possible electrolytic rust removal (use some google-fu).Again, all dependent on just how much work has to be done and whether the job is in-place or if the workpiece(s) is/are brough into the shop(s).  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:Moonrise thank you for the info the railing is heavier and not hollow steel. I am going to remove the railing and work on it in my garage, I can do a more thorough job on it. I will post pics when I can, thanks Steve
Reply:Before getting it in the shop, blast it with Black Beauty medium grit.That'll get into all the little corners and give you the chance to see the condition of all the metal.Be wary of The Numbers: Figures don't lie,. but liars can figure.Welders:2008 Lincoln 140 GMAW&FCAW2012 HF 165 'toy' GTAW&SMAW1970's Cobbled together O/A
Reply:Any recommendation for a good durable paint or would rust oleam spray paint work?
Reply:Any oil based alkyd enamel will work good. Dunn Edwards has a water clean up enamel called Syn-lustro (oil based available too) that I have been using for a couple of years now. Works good, clean up is easy, dries fast, dries hard.
Reply:Originally Posted by Basicwelder54Any recommendation for a good durable paint or would rust oleam spray paint work?
Reply:I can't get Dunn Edwards here in NY, I stopped by sherwin Williams paints and they recommended a exterior primer and oil based paint  I will try. Anybody ever use sherwin William paint on steel? Hopefully it will be ok and hold up against the elements.
Reply:I sherwin williams oil based paints.  I like it.