How can I repaint my heavy iron bed frame?

Question

It's been painted and repainted many colors, and chipped between coats.  It's now bright blue, among other things.  I want white, like an old hospital bed you'd see in a horror flick. What should I do??  thank you in advance!!

Sia@South 47th · Answer

Clean it, sand it, prep it with a primer, then paint! xox

ProTect Painters of Oviedo ~ Winter Springs · Answer

Likely need to strip off the oldpaint (Dad's Stripper at Ace works well). Sand smooth and then finishwith a metal coating. Make sure you remove any rust. Then use a spray like Rust-Oleum or for abetter more durable result consider a product like Sherwin’s DTM (Direct toMetal). For more info on paintingprojects visit www.protectpainters.com.

Shabby Paints · Answer

I've done a few, no prep, no prime, no toxins with Shabby Chalked paint. Just be sure and remove any peeling pieces of paint and it will work perfectly. I can't find a picture of the last one. rrrr

117135 · Answer

You will need to sand down the chipped spots and make sure you sand any bubbles as this maybe rust spots under neath. A really good metal primer is key. The best way to sand is with an electric drill and go purchase an attachment to sand metal. This process is way easier than sanding by hand or a brush!

Julie · Answer

You can also have it sandblasted to strip the paint. How old is the bed? Is there a chance that any of the layers of paint contain lead?

Found & Fancied Goods · Answer

If you don't want the blue to show through if the paint chips, you will need to remove the blue paint. Honestly, with the amount of layers that are on the bed already, you may need to sandblast it for the best result. After that, use a good metal primer like Rustoleum's White Primer for metal. Then you can paint it. I would again use a Rustoleum product. They really are the best for metal. You can choose to use a clear topcoat as well to further protect the beds finish. If you want an older look to the finish, choose a satin finish, not gloss. Good luck.

Grandma Lorna's Attic · Answer

Make sure to remove loose pieces of paint. Clean the iron well, then apply liquid sander, (follow directions). Paint using interior latex flat paint, (any color) mixed with http://www.etsy.com/shop/NewBeginningsTM?ref=search_shop_redirect. Seal with Johnson's paste wax or matte finish polyurethane. You can see many pieces that have been painted on my page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Grandma-Lornas-Attic/201657496528071 ;(stop over and LIKE my page, browse and Email me with any questions. Hope this helps, Judy

Dianne Ballesty · Answer

An alternative to sandblasting is to have it dipped to remove all the old paint, then spray it with Rustoleum. With the many layers you have on there already it will be worth it; it will look new.

Nancy · Answer

I saw a lady painting a metal fence the other day and she used a clean car wash mitten. She used a nitrile glove under it and just dipped the whole mitt into the paint and basically wiped it on. If you want to make it look like the old hospital beds in a horror flick, I wouldn't worry about the paint chips but I would rough it up before painting with something like a sanding sponge. Both the mitt and the sponge would conform to the shape a lot easier.

Tamara · Answer

Thank you for your reply!!I would have to remove this blue semi-gloss paint, wouldn't I?
And how do you do the part that makes it look old well-worn?
Where can I buy Shabby Chalked paint?

Debby Boyle · Answer

Yes, I did mine. Just use metal spray paint. It turns out great!!!!!

Barbara · Answer

how about using an auto-body paint shop?

Waysouth · Answer

just make some chalk paint and use that, just as Sia@ Says. Who wants to do more work than is necessary? 
 You may want to seal it

Mary Insana · Answer

I also agree that you should sand any bubbles or rusted areas. Too much work to take the blue paint off. A couple coats of either DIY chalk paint or purchased chalk paint will work perfectly. If you want to spend some $$ you could take it to an auto body shop and they can clean it up and repaint it using automotive spray paint. It will probably look as good as new but you'll pay the price. A hospital bed that would be old would have had its share of bumps and bruises so if you paint it yourself with chalk paint it would look more authentic

Mary Insana · Answer

@Tamara chalk paint adheres to just about anything. I've painted everything from Formica, wood, metal even a coffee table that I glued crumbled brown bags on before I painted. If you aren't sure about the glossiness of the bed use a fine sandpaper lightly to give the old paint some 'tooth' to hold on to. One of the keys to a successful chalk paint is the wax after you are all painted. Wax will give a protective finish

Mary Insana · Answer

@Shabby Paints I've never heard of VAX but you know I'll be doing my research now. Sound like a great product :)

Waysouth · Answer

Searching for VAX, all I can find is a vacuum cleaner, so please, what is it?

Christine (iDreamofClean) · Answer

You can use chalk paint on pretty much ANYTHING! I would give it a try!

Waysouth · Answer

have you painted it yet?

Tamara · Answer

Nope.

62q10370829 · Answer

spray primer then what ever color you want.   sand before.  have you checked to see if it's brass?

How can I repaint my heavy iron bed frame?

Suggested Project Book

Hometalk's Top 10 Spookiest Halloween Picks Of 2017

Other

More

How can I repaint my heavy iron bed frame?

Suggested Project Book

Related Discussions