According to Today's Patio, wrought-iron patio furniture is known as an expensive option. If you want a set for your patio, you don't have to spend a lot of money on a brand-new set. An old wrought iron patio furniture set can look as good as new with a little elbow grease and an air compressor rental. Here's what you will need to do. 

Scour classifieds and yard sale pages 

Look through local classified ads, Craigslist, and yard sale pages on social media for used wrought-iron patio furniture. As they say, one person's trash is another person's treasure. When looking, don't get too distraught over the appearance of old wrought-iron sets. What you do want to look for, however, are sets that are structurally sound. They can have some rust, but you'll want to avoid heavily rusted pieces, as they may not be sturdy enough for use. 

You'll also need to look closely at the furniture to see if it can be disassembled or not. Look for nuts and bolts underneath the furniture. This doesn't necessarily mean the furniture will need to be disassembled, but it does depend on the amount of rust and old paint that may need to be removed and if you are able to get into the cracks in between the pieces for a thorough job. 

Transport the furniture

You'll need to use a truck to transport the furniture.  Due to the abrasive qualities of the iron, you'll want to protect the bed of the truck or the flooring of the vehicle you will use. Lay a thick old blanket down before you set the furniture into the vehicle. Tie down the furniture so it doesn't become damaged or fly out of the vehicle while en route. If you are using a pickup truck, cover the furniture with a tarp to protect the furniture. That way, it will be somewhat protected from any debris or inclement weather. This can help prevent Murphy's Law from causing an unfortunate accident to your cargo. 

Rent an air compressor with attachments 

Rent an air compressor from a company like Summit Tool Rentals Division Of Wirtz Rentals to help in restoring the furniture. Be sure to get all the attachments you will need to complete the job, such as a sandblaster, pressure washer, and paint gun. These attachments will help you get into the fine grooves that are found in wrought-iron patio furniture, especially when it comes to removing the old paint and rust from the furniture. Otherwise, you may find it difficult to contort your hands to reach all of the grooves and etchings. Also, a spray paint application is ideal for restoration because it can give a smoother finish than would be possible by brush painting. If you chose a set that can be disassembled, you may also need a ratchet attachment to separate the pieces. 

Prepare your work station 

It's a good idea to do the restoration outdoors, especially if you will be sandblasting and painting the furniture. Use a thick tarp to protect the ground from sand, rust, and paint while you work. If there are any structures or vegetation nearby, cover them with tarps to protect them from possible damage. Place the air compressor in a central location in your work area. However, you'll want to place the air compressor on a pad if you are working directly on your patio so the vibrations created by the air compressor will be absorbed by the pad. Doing this will help cut down on the noise the air compressor will make as it is working. You can rent a pad from the same air compressor rental company you choose.