Asked on Apr 28, 2014
Thus old bed: How to clean an old rusty bed frame
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Growing up years ago, my family had this old bed frame on our sleeping porch. It has been stored for many years in a shed. It's more than 75 years old. I want to clean it up, repair and put it on our porch, as we just built a new house. I need input on thoughts, cleaning and restoration!
An old spring wire frame bed. More than 75 yes old.
The old bed has great vintage wheels that actually work.
7 answers
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As for the steel frame, you can sand, wipe clean with a damp cloth, let dry then use spray on Rustoleum primer and follow directions on the can for finishing and then use spray paint. The extra step of the primer will help keep the rust from coming back through. The bed springs I recommend taking a wire brush, getting as much of the rust off that you can, wipe with a damp cloth, and let dry, then spray with a clear polyurethane to keep it from transferring onto the mattress.
![Donna Byram]()
Donna Byram
on Apr 28, 2014
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Sand blasting will get it clean down to bare metal, the painted with a metal paint. I always sand blast metal. Even down to the my clothes lines to metal trunks. It cleans the metal and makes it clean and smooth. Or you can find sandpaper made for metal, that's sounds like a very long process but I have been know to use a block and hand sand something when I couldn't use a sander on it. Depends on how bad I want it. There is paint made for metal like rusteloum paints to prevent it from rusting, but you have to get rid of the old rust or it will continue.
![Sherrie]()
Sherrie
on Apr 29, 2014
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Naval Jelly works well for hard to sand objects like wire, springs and wheels. I've used it on some antique scissors/shears and it worked great. I picked it up at my local Ace Hardware Store. Make sure to wear gloves, as the active ingredient is phosphoric acid.
![Jennifer G]()
Jennifer G
on Apr 29, 2014
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I agree with Jennifer G . . . my mother bought an old pot bellied stove and, being cast iron and left outside, it was horribly rusty. One small container of naval jelly did the trick. She then primed it and painted it a nice flat black. It's gorgeous. It has lasted for 45 years now without the rust coming back through.
![Tammy McPherson]()
Tammy McPherson
on Oct 04, 2014
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Sandblasting will get in all the nook and crannies. Use automotive paint to add color to it and finish with a couple of clear coats.
![Kelly S]()
Kelly S
on Oct 05, 2014
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i think steel wool will remove the rust and then paint it.
![Luz Maria]()
Luz Maria
on Apr 19, 2015
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Is Naval jelly available in South Africa
![Lydia van Rooyen]()
Lydia van Rooyen
on Apr 23, 2015
Donna Byram
on Apr 28, 2014
Sherrie
on Apr 29, 2014
Jennifer G
on Apr 29, 2014
Tammy McPherson
on Oct 04, 2014
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