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Message |
    
akb
Citizen
Username: Akb
Post Number: 250
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 10:24 pm: | 
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We have a 60s ranch house with wrought iron railings and banisters. The coating is worn and tired looking. We'd like to investigate having them refinished, possibly with a burnished effect or powder coated. We do a lot of DIY but are nervous about painting these ourselves as the design is very ornate and we can't see how to do it without the paint dripping.
Any suggestions, names, thoughts welcomed. |
Bobkat
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 7281
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 7:54 am: |
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My first reaction is, why not replace them with wood railings if finances permit?
Mrs. K and I have been in a lot of 1950s and 1960s houses and the wrought iron seems to date the houses, while those where they have been replaced with wood look more up to date, while still looking more clasical, if that makes sense.
I don't know where to get it done, but the wrought iron can be removed, sandblasted and then spray painted. An auto body shop? |
akb
Citizen
Username: Akb
Post Number: 251
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 11:11 am: |
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That is our other thought, Bob. I have no idea how much wooden ones would cost. Do you have (even a ballpark) idea? |
Elzi121
Citizen
Username: Elzi121
Post Number: 46
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 3:32 pm: |
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We had our wrought iron bannister replaced with a wooden one and it cost us about $1000 (included the materials and installation, but not the staining, painting). All the materials came from home depot (oak) and it looks pretty good. I think the materials alone were in the $300-400 range.
I'm not unhappy with the way it came out, though not happy enough to recommend the person that did it. I would also look at someplace like Dykes- not the hugest selection at home depot. |
Elzi121
Citizen
Username: Elzi121
Post Number: 47
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 3:34 pm: |
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Oh, one other note- we have a 1921 center hall colonial, and we replaced the bannister from 1st to 2nd floor. It sounds like you might have more railings than we do. |
Bobkat
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 7288
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 3:44 pm: |
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We replaced an old Diy railing at the top of our stairs using paint quality (hemlock) components from the Despot. In total there was about eight feet of railing, including two full posts and a half post. The materials were around $150 and I installed it myself over a long weekend. |
Mrs T
Citizen
Username: Netjack
Post Number: 6
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 4:50 pm: |
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Have you tried waxing the wrought iron? Easy, cheap and should make them look great, assuming they aren't painted already. You want paste wax, not liquid stuff. Use a bristle paint brush, size depends on application area, wipe off excess. Don't glop it on, apply sparingly, add as needed. |
akb
Citizen
Username: Akb
Post Number: 252
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 21, 2005 - 9:22 pm: |
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They are painted already, Mrs T. I think it is the original sealed finish which has been touched up in places. Thanks for your suggestion, though, as if we get them stripped, I'd like the waxed look. |
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