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Much of
the iron furniture available today is
wrought iron, rather than
cast iron. When you're buying wrought iron, look for pieces made with solid
metal rather than hollow tubing, and that are welded, rather than bolted,
together. Generally, the better furniture is North American made.
Iron
furniture requires more maintenance than other types of metal furniture. Clean
it regularly with warm soapy water and then dry it thoroughly. Wax the smooth
surfaces and apply mineral or baby oil to textured surfaces. Oil springs and
moving parts once per year. Immediately touch up any scratches or rust by
lightly sanding the spot with a fine steel wool. Then apply several thin coats
of metal paint, letting each coat dry well before applying the next. If you're
using a spray paint, apply with short light stokes.
Aluminum is a silvery, lightweight and easily worked metallic element that
never rusts. Much of the early aluminum furniture from the 1960s was made from
hollow-core extrusion tubing. Such furniture was extremely lightweight but not
exceedingly wind-stable. Such pieces are still available today and are best used
around a pool area.
Cast aluminum is better used in outdoor dining or sitting areas.
Whether
you're looking for extruded, cast or wrought aluminum items, there are a few
items that indicate a quality piece. As with wrought iron, joints should be
welded (preferably full-circumference welds) rather than bolted. If bolts are
used, for example to connect webbing, they should be made of aluminum or
stainless steel. Otherwise they will begin to rust even though the main frame
does not.
Best
quality aluminum pieces have a powder-coated finish, which determines the final
color of the piece and the durability of the metal. Powder coating is a process
in which colorful polyester powders are applied and then baked onto the frame.
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