Horse Head on Ball Plinth – Left

Cast iron is a class of iron–carbon alloys with a carbon content more than 2%. Its usefulness derives from its relatively low melting temperature. The alloy constituents affect its colour when fractured, cast iron has spherical graphite “nodules” which stop the crack from further progressing.

Carbon (C), ranging from 1.8 to 4 wt%, and silicon (Si), 1–3 wt%, are the main alloying elements of cast iron.

Cast iron tends to be brittle, except for malleable cast irons. With its relatively low melting point, good fluidity, castability, excellent machinability, resistance to deformation and wear resistance, cast irons have become an engineering material with a wide range of applications and are used in pipes, machines and automotive industry parts, as well as garden ornaments. It is resistant to damage by oxidation.

Your cast iron item may arrive in an a mostly un-weathered state, in this instance you can wash the item using a mild detergent (like washing-up liquid) and a soft brush to remove any oils that may still be present from manufacture, your cast iron item can then simply be left to weather naturally in situ. If required, items can be sealed using clear weather-proof varnishes specifically intended for metal applications. Please note, this will change the colour of the cast

Your painted cast iron item is intended to have an antique aesthetic and as such there will be points where ‘rust’ breaks through the paint and causes the iron oxide to stain the painted surface. This can be wiped-off to some degree, but not completely. All cast iron products will produce carbon run-off that can stain certain surfaces an item may be placed on, porous paving, for example.