How to Refinish Metal Patio Furniture

Plastic is easier to clean and store and wood looks more countrified, but nothing beats the charm of vintage metal patio furniture. Here's how to give it a fresh look.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Brushes (if Not Using Spray Paint)
• Mild Detergents
• Rust Remover
• Rust-proof Paint
• Wire Brushes
• Mineral Spirits
• Mineral Spirits

1. Remove rubber tips and cushions (if there are any).

2. Wash furniture with a mild detergent (you'll probably need some rags or a scrub brush) and rinse.

3. Use a wire brush to scrape off rust and loose paint flakes.

4. Look carefully: if paint has bubbled (a sign of rust underneath) use a screwdriver or chisel to break the bubble and chip away the bubbled paint, and then scrape with a wire brush.

5. Remove rust with commercial rust remover.

6. Paint or spray with rust-resistant paint. If the furniture is very corroded, you may want to prime first with rust-resistant primer.

7. Let dry. Plan on 12 to 24 hours for each coat, depending on weather and temperature.

8. Replace any rubber tips and cushions.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're a perfectionist, you may want to sand the furniture after removing rust and before painting - but sanding metal is like scratching your fingernails on the blackboard, and these are going to sit outside anyway! (If you do sand, don't forget to wipe off dust with a tack cloth before painting.)
• Be careful with the wire brush: it's the tool for the job, but it will take off skin if you slip up.
• All rust-resistant paints are alkyd- (oil) based, so make sure you've got mineral spirits on hand for cleanup.

[akabeans]

on 4/28/2009 MJLP - go to your local hardware store or place that sells patio furniture and take a look at what colors they have out this year. I think darker colors are what is current: black, gray, tan, etc. But you should choose what you like and what will go well with your patio area. I would do all the furniture in the same color although bright splashes here and there are fun too (like maybe for your umbrella, cushions, etc).Also just a suggestion for those of you who have MAJOR rust on your furniture and don't want to spend 10 years removing it, try a rust-converter paint. You can get it at most hardware stores and online. You just paint it on the rust (after scraping off big pieces/piles) and it works to convert the rust into paint. If you do two coats with the proper curing time, it will help keep your furniture rust-free for many years. I think it is only available in black, though you may

[mjlp]

on 4/28/2009 on 4/2009 - I have wrought iron furniture set from the 50's and 60's -- Ivy pattern that was very common. It is currently painted white -- I would like to update it; what color will give it a more updated look. I also have older cafe chairs and a relatively new table with an umbrella -- would like to update those as well with either same or coordinating color -- suggestions?

[momsrule]

on 1/22/2009 I give this a 5*. Our patio furniture needs to be painted etc.. But, ignorant of the proper way to do it. Simply written, but not easily done. But, better than buying a new set.Thanks

[kabbott]

on 9/27/2008 We had our metal patio furniture professionally sandblasted and repainted. However, they used a paint which has oxidized and now leaves a hard to remove residue on anything that touches it - skin, clothing, etc. What kind of paint should we request if we have this process repeated?