Question
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Followup To
Question -
Hi Brad--I hope you can help me. We recently purchased a table and 2 chairs that have cast iron legs. Is there anything I can put on the bottom of the legs so they will not leave rust spots on the concrete patio?
Answer -
Simple answer...No.

You can remove the furniture from the concrete when not in use.  Problem...if they rust were they are stored, the rust will scrape off onto the patio when used.

You can 'dip' the bottoms in a latex rubber covering that is used to repair/replace the rubber-insulated handles on Electricians' pliers.  Problem... the rust will travel down from points higher on the legs... and the 'dip' must be repeated as the bottoms wear through.

You can hace stainless steel 'cans' or 'cups' made for each leg and as long as they are not permitted to remain filled with rain water and emptied in the soil/yard these cups will 'contain' the rust scale.

You can let them rust and REGULARLY remove the rust stains by cleansing the concrete surface with 'muriatic acid'.  Problem...such regular cleansing will weaken/damage the concrete surface.

Short answer...store the chairs in a dry place and use them only in clear weather.

Sorry.          Hi Brad--I appreciate your honest and thorough answer. Next questiion: I see ads for poly "patio" rugs. Would the rust soak through onto the cement if I put one of these under the furniture? It would be the same material as the green artificial turfs sometimes used to cover steps, etc. Would it do any harm to the concrete if I used that? Could the rust get through?   thanks, Pat

Answer
I wish I could give you an optimistic answer here.  To be honest...I am not familiar with the product that you speak of.  However,

If a rug then the moisture or rain that the rug absorbs will, at some point, exceed the rug's ability to absorb/contain water.  When this happens, as it will, the rust will run out of the rug and stain the perimeter and will also run under the rug from the highest elevation to the run-off point of your patio.

Water/oxygen reaction creates what we call rust.  Rust is dissolved in the rain water. The rain WILL carry the dissolved scale out of the rug and onto your patio.

I LOVE cast iron patio furniture. Like most great things there are some limitations and drawbacks. Your questions are the ONLY one I am aware of...other than the hot surfaces if left in a sunny location.

Maybe you should post these questions to an 'expert' with a more optimistic point of view...just joking. Actually, I do like cast iron.  This is the one real drawback that has serious repercussions.

Sorry