Benimet Corp. of Maspeth, Queens has been restoring and protecting metal since 2001. Restoration covers stripping old paint and rust, repairing corrosion damage and applying a new protective coating with zinc and powder coat. That way old fences, gates and railings can stay in service for years to come.
An old wrought iron fence, a driveway gate that is decades old or a stair railing is often worth saving. These pieces are made of solid material and have patterns that are hard to find today. The trouble is usually rust, peeling paint and damage. Benimet Corp. of Maspeth, Queens has been protecting and restoring metal since 2001, and restoration is one of the company’s four services.
What Metal Restoration Involves
Restoration brings a damaged metal piece back to good condition and gives it protection for years to come. According to the company, the work covers repairing corrosion damage: from cleaning, through patching, to recoating with a protective finish. The goal is to extend the life of aging pieces instead of replacing them.
Steps of the Work
First the piece is cleaned of rust and old paint, usually by sandblasting (more in the article on sandblasting metal in Maspeth). Once it is clean, the condition of the metal becomes clear, along with the spots that need repair. Next the surface receives zinc-based corrosion protection, and finally it is powder coated in the color the customer chooses. This layering is described in more detail in the article on powder coating in Queens.
Repair or Replace
Not every old piece is a good candidate for restoration. When rust has eaten through the metal in many places, repair may no longer pay off. In most cases, though, the condition can only be judged after the paint comes off, so the scope of restoration is set after the metal has been inspected at the shop. For many homeowners restoration is attractive because it also keeps the character of the building: original decorative fence sections or railings suit an older house better than new pieces.
Restored Pieces Built to Last
A well done restoration ends with a coating that resists moisture, salt and sun. UV-resistant coatings and anti-graffiti coatings are available too, which are useful on fences facing the street. The customer chooses the color, so a restored gate can look the way it used to or take on a new character.
The Shop in Maspeth
Restoration is a shop service: the removed pieces are brought to the Benimet shop in Maspeth. Customers come from Queens, Brooklyn, other parts of New York City and western Long Island. Contractors from New Jersey and Long Island also bring larger batches. The company works for homes and businesses, and estimates are free.
When to Start
It is better not to wait until rust starts lifting whole sheets of paint. The sooner a piece goes in for restoration, the more original metal can be kept and the less repair work it needs. Spring and fall are good times to take down a gate or fence sections and bring them to the shop, before the heat or the frost arrives.
Keeping the Original Character
Many older houses in Queens and Brooklyn still have their original iron fences, gates and railings, with scrolls and patterns typical of the period they were built in. Replacing them with modern stock pieces changes the look of the whole facade. Restoration keeps the original design and gives it a new protective finish, in a classic color or one that matches a renovated house. For contractors working on older buildings, it is also a way to keep the existing metalwork on a project instead of ordering new pieces.
Contact
Free estimates: 917-790-3632.
Shop location in Maspeth and more information: Benimet Corp. on Polish Pages.
The scope and timing of the work are set after the pieces have been inspected.
