Just use primer paint and then paint the color you want. But you'd better the sand the surface and clean it first before you do and painting work. Here a profession wrought iron company in New England Area, especially closed to Boston. If you want to get some Wrought iron products, the company definitely you need to go is Evan's Home Luxuries. Their wrought iron railing and forged products are really gorgeous. They also make marble mantels, marble statues, marble fountains, marble gazebos, marble tile only for $3/sft. They also sell Copper doors, Brass Doors and Bronze doors. You will not find these products in other company here. Hoping this information is helpful for you guys. Their websites is http://www.evanshomeluxuries.com.

Sandpaper! Do what you can to get those last bits smoothed down at least so the edges feather into the bare metal, otherwise it's just a future flake waiting to happen (and it will show and look funny, too). We replaced our wrought iron rail, but before that I painted it with an oil-based paint and it held for 9 years (even with Christmas decos ;) Just my .02, but I don't care for super high gloss (bounces a lot of light). For easy wiping, how about semi-gloss or even satin (depends on the brand paint you use).

Hi Arapaho! Once blistering starts, it's either extensive or 2 spots...! Start with maybe an 8-grit sanding sponge, and lightly dull all the paint. This SHOULD knock loose any blisters. * You could use a wire-brush here too. * When all the loose stuff is knocked-off, get out a 120-grit sponge & pretend you're doin' auto-body prep now! * Feather-sand any ridges where flakes have popped off, and lightly sand all other areas a little smoother. * Use a tack-cloth or wipe with a paint-thinner dampened rag to remove all dust. * You could even do further feather-sanding after primer is on...and spot re-prime these areas. * I'd use the Rust-Oleum "Stops-Rust" series primer for lightly rusted metal. Spray rusted areas evenly & let dry. Then do another coat on everything. There is a brush-on 1/2-pint size of this available too, if you can't spray. * Now, you can brush-on (or spray...!) any type of paint you want. Thanks! Faron

We did go with Railing works, and recommend them highly! We've gotten lots of compliments in the years since. The color fits our stucco, and the cables almost disappear as we're looking through the railing to our back yard Our experience was very pleasant, and the results awesome. They were knowledgeable, easy to work with. Easy to get samples of color and the top/bottom etc. elements, so which is what persuaded my skeptical DH that this was precisely machined, excellent powder coating, a very clever design, and could be a DIY project. They worked with DH to choose the type of attachments to the deck, and also to the concrete stairs. In collaboration with them, we supplied the specifications for the railing, including all turns and stairs -- they answered all his questions, mailed diagrams back and forth till my engineer husband was certain it was all nailed down. The "kit" came with clear instructions. It did require cutting the top and bottom rails to for some of the 90-degree angles; DH has a circular saw, so that wasn't a problem, though My husband and sons (16 and 10) installed the railings around our deck, and also next to the stairs to our front entrance. I can't praise it enough!