RESTORATION 

Restoration of 170-year-old ironwork on a heritage property, part of wider restoration projects, was achieved with ease by a Devon decorating company, thanks to its discovery of Ferrozinc from HMG Paints.

Dart Decorators were tasked with a complete makeover of the Grade II listed townhouse at Ashburton, a small town on the edge of Dartmoor. They turned to Rabart Decorators Merchants for advice on how to tackle the guttering and other ironwork.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS:

Ferrozinc rust converter is ideal for situations where it is not possible or practical to blast clean metal substrates such as restorations on historic properties.

Ferrozinc’s primary advantage lies in its straightforward application. After removing loose debris and failed coatings, a simple scraping and wire brushing to eliminate loose rust prepares the surface. Applying a thin coat of Ferrozinc to the affected areas completes the process and a white-to-black colour change confirms Ferrozinc’s rust neutralisation.

“This was an old building that needed really good quality paints,” says Oliver. “The HMG products were easy to use, and they took the restoration of the ironwork up to a different level.” They finished the guttering in a shade of pearl. Rabart colour-matched this shade to match the rest of the restored facades.

The HMG system is fast becoming a go-to for decorators and professionals tasked with this type of work. After thoroughly cleaning off loose material, apply Ferrozinc to any signs of rust.

Therefore, the product goes on white and turns black, indicating that it has neutralized the rust patches.

Ferrozinc is then overcoated with BDX Primer, a high-build, anti-corrosive coating and followed by C71 Speedline, a synthetic alkyd enamel which provides a tough finish. This coating is particularly suited to areas with a challenging exposure to the elements.

For more information about the rust conversion system, HMG Ferrozinc / BDX / C71 Speedline or any other products please visit https://shop.hmgpaint.com

Dart Decorators | 2025