Gates Sandblasting

Does sandblasting remove metal? Yes, but when abrasive blasting is properly controlled, the amount of base metal removed is usually very small. A standard blast on sound steel or wrought iron typically removes around 5 to 30 microns (0.005 to 0.030 mm). The actual amount depends on the metal, its condition, the abrasive used, blast

During gate blasting, hinges, locks, latches, and drop bolts are the parts most at risk, because every one of them has a hollow space that abrasive grit can get into. Left unprotected, grit packs into hinge barrels and lock keyways, strips out the grease that keeps them moving, and leaves bare metal that starts flash

Rust makes a wrought iron gate look finished long before it actually is. In most cases the metal underneath is still sound, and the honest answer to whether you should restore or replace rusty wrought iron gates is that restoration is usually the better decision. The exception is structural loss, meaning holes and heavy thinning