How To Paint Outdoor Furniture
The no-fail method for spray painting outdoor furniture that will last! This inexpensive yet professional looking makeover project updates a patio or yard space with ease in a day.
Yield: 1 piece of furniture
Cost: $35
Equipment
- Paint Brush
- Blocks to elevate items for painting
Materials
- Soap for cleaning metal
- Lint free cleaning rags
- Sand paper 220 grit
- Sanding Blocks 120 grit
- 1 can per chair Spray Primer See Notes for which product is right for you
- 1 can per chair Protective Enamel Spray Paint
- 1 Drop Cloth
Instructions
Prep the Furniture
- Evaluate the piece. Is there any grime or grease that needs cleaned? Is the old paint in good condition? Is there rust to be repaired?
- Knock off rust build-up and chipping paint with a wire brush. You can also use a rust stripper if heavy rust is present.
- Sand glossy paint or coating. You do NOT need to remove every bit of previous finish if it is in good condition. Use an orbital sander with 220 grit and sanding sponges for crevices. Vacuum and wipe all dust off.
- Clean using dish soap or a mild degreaser for getting any grime and dirt off. Dry off immediately with a towel and then allow the metal furniture to completely dry. Don't skip this step as any dust or grime will not allow the paint to bond properly.
Prime metal furniture.
- Generally speaking, you will want to elevate the chairs or furniture so you can get around the bottom and undersides. You can use a table, bricks, cement stones or 4×4 pieces of wood. Drop cloths help to keep overspray a minimum. Only areas of bare metal need to be primed.
Painting Outdoor Furniture.
- Don’t spray paint in full mid-day sun and preferably on a day that isn't windy. Even on calm days, spray paint can drift several feet. A spray shelter is also great for keeping overspray and dust lower.
- Paint with at least 2-3 coats. For priming and painting, use light coats to avoid drips. Don't worry about full coverage in one coat, but read the manufacturer's directions for time between coats.
Notes
General Tips for Spray Painting
- I highly recommend these Rust-Oleum Comfort Grips. I love them because my hands aren't sore after painting large projects and they help keep the spray paint application more even.
- For priming and painting, use light coats to avoid drips.
- Move evenly in one direction PAST the edges - don't stop in the middle.
- Don't worry about getting full coverage in one coat, because that might lead to drips.
- Do let dry according to directions between coats.
- Spray the paint in multiple angles to fully cover the piece (even the bottom).
- Wait at least 48 hours before placing any cushions or decorations on surfaces.
- I like to paint and check on it as the light changes. You may notice spots you missed as the sunlight changes over the course of the day.
- For heavily rusted surfaces - Rusty Metal Primer Spray
- For lightly rusted surfaces or previously painted surfaces - Clean Metal Primer (also comes in quart size can you can use with a brush)
- For bare metal - Clean Metal Primer
- Galvanized Steel or Tricky surfaces - Universal Bonding Primer (also comes in quart size for painting with a brush)
- For rusty surfaces that can't be sanded - Rust Reformer. I haven't actually used this one without sanding, however it gets rave reviews. Personally, I would be too nervous not to sand.)
- For surfaces exposed to high heat or in full sun - High Heat Primer Spray. I've used it for a grill we repainted, for example.