How to Enamel Cast Iron

Things You'll Need

Rubber gloves
Porcelain powder coat
Corona gun
Air compressor
Cleaning solvent
Paint stripper
Etching acid
Oven

Porcelain particles can be powder coated over cast iron.

Putting an enamel on cast iron may seem like a daunting task. Although it won't be particularly simple, there is a way to get it done. The technique is called powder coating and it will require specialized equipment. The size of the cast iron object will also matter because the powder coating must be baked-on to be effective. The most important aspect for this particular task is that a special powder coating made up of porcelain particles must be used for a proper enamel finish.

Step 1

Thoroughly clean the cast iron that is going to be powder coated. You will need a special solvent for this. In this case, use a cleaning solvent to remove rust deposits first, if applicable. You will also need a paint stripper and etching acid to remove paint or paint residue and any organic and non-organic oils. Essentially, the cast iron must be stripped of all surface coatings that may inhibit the adherence of the powder coating.

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Step 2

Fill an electrostatic or a corona gun with the required porcelain particle powder coat. Attach the gun to an air compressor and using compressed air, blow the powder coating onto the cast iron object. The powder will become electrostatically charged inside of the gun and will literally stick to the surface of the cast iron. Use this process to completely cover the cast iron object.

Step 3

Bake the coated object inside of an oven that is capable of reaching 390 degrees Fahrenheit. This step will literally melt and bond the porcelain powder coating directly onto the cast iron object. For a thicker enamel coat, repeat the Steps 1 and 2.

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