DIY Patio Furniture Restoration (Get a Pro Finish on a DIY Budget)
How DO You Restore Patio Furniture Like a Pro?
Don’t have your outdoor furniture professionally refinished when DIY patio furniture restoration is much easier and cheaper than you think!
Did you know you can do your own metal furniture restoration with a few simple tips and just a couple of cans of spray paint?
Whether your patio furniture needs an update or a major overhaul, here are my best tips for restoring your own patio furniture without having to spend hundreds to have it refinished by a professional.
LET ME SHOW YOU:
- Why it’s easy and cost-effective to do your own patio furniture restoration
- The best tutorial for your particular patio furniture whether it’s wrought iron, aluminum or another metal.
- Why God is for you and not against you in this week’s Renovate Your Faith devotional at the end of the post.
(As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my full disclosure HERE).
Quick Links to Information in this Post
- 1 How DO You Restore Patio Furniture Like a Pro?
- 2 DIY Spray Painting Vs Professionally Powder Coating Outdoor Furniture
- 3 Metal Patio Furniture Restoration with Spray Paint
- 4 My Must-Have Spray Painting Tips & Tricks
- 5 Metal Furniture Restoration Options
- 6 Process Overview: How Do You Restore Metal Furniture?
- 7 RENOVATE YOUR FAITH: Is God Out to Get You?
- 8 Free Checklist of Spray Painting Tips and Tricks
- 9 How Do You Rejuvenate Metal Outdoor Furniture with New Cushions?
- 10 FAQ’s: How Do You Make Metal Furniture Look New?
- 11 More Posts Related to DIY Patio Furniture Restoration
- 12 Final Thoughts On Metal Furniture Restoration
- 13 DIY Metal Patio Furniture Restoration
When I was little my grandfather and I would often spend time sitting together in a wrought iron swing on their back patio. Because he was such an important figure in my life, I have held onto that old swing all these years.
When we moved into our current home, I had the perfect place for the old swing but after years of neglect, it had considerable rust damage.
After some deliberation, I decided to have it professionally refinished with what I thought would be a powder coating service. After paying $300, I got the swing back and they did a great job.
However, I found it interesting that they gave me a leftover can of touch-up paint. It was then I realized that it wasn’t powdered coated after all – it was painted with a paint sprayer and Rustoleum oil-based paint in a can.
Essentially, the professional finish on my swing was spray paint and I paid $300 when I could have done it myself in one afternoon for less than $30 with the same results!
DIY Spray Painting Vs Professionally Powder Coating Outdoor Furniture
So we’ve all heard of professional powder coating, but what is it? Powder coating is a process where an electric charge is used to fuse dry powder to the surface of metal before being baked-on in an oven. Powder coating can be more durable than spray paint because it is so thick.
However, you can achieve that same thick durable coating with spray paint by doing proper prep work and applying several light coats.
Powder-coating outdoor furniture is considerably more expensive and there aren’t as many color options when you are looking for the perfect shade.
Also, if you do need later touch-ups to your powder-coated finish, your furniture will need to be powder-coated again or you can try to find a spray paint color that matches the powder-coating color exactly. That can be easier said than done.
Because of the thickness of powder coating, sometimes the process can leave an uneven orange-peel texture on metal furniture.
However, with the right spray paint, you can achieve a perfectly smooth finish that is also incredibly durable by using one of the tutorials I mention below.
Metal Patio Furniture Restoration with Spray Paint
So before you decide to have your metal furniture powder-coated or replaced altogether, consider spray painting it yourself!
Spray paint gives you lots of color and sheen options so you can create any look to make your old, lifeless patio furniture better than new!
Best Paint for Outdoor Metal Furniture
There are several great spray paints for refinishing outdoor furniture and after dozens of projects here are my favorites:
Rustoleum Universal Metallics Spray Paint
Rustoleum Ultra Cover Spray Paint
*If you can’t find the color you want in the Metallics formula, then they are likely to offer it in the Ultra Cover option.
My Must-Have Spray Painting Tips & Tricks
☑️ Here’s where you can get my tried and true tips for getting the best finish possible when spray painting! Get the password for the library with all of my free printables including wall art, checklists, and templates by filling out this form:
Metal Furniture Restoration Options
Look below for the best tutorial that best matches your outdoor furniture project:
OPTION 1: How Do You Restore Aluminum Outdoor Furniture? – Chaise Lounge Restoration
Aluminum furniture restoration is easy and can give a piece of furniture a brand-new look. Or you can restore it back to its original like-new condition as I did with my chaise lounges. I found these sad chaise lounges on Facebook Marketplace and they were in desperate need of a makeover.
Both had peeling paint and serious sun damage from being subjected to the Texas sun for so many years. But structurally, they were in great shape!
After doing a little searching online, I found the original price of the chaise lounges – $899. But spray painting both chaise lounges cost less than $30
For the full tutorial on aluminum furniture restoration, click here: Easy Aluminum Patio Furniture Restoration
You can find the replacement chaise lounge cushions here: Low-Cost Outdoor Chaise Lounge Cushions
Pro Tip: HOW to Restore Black Metal Patio Furniture
When restoring black metal patio furniture to its original color, consider using Rustoleum Universal Metallic’s Oil-Rubbed Bronze spray paint. It is essentially a black spray paint but has more shine and dimension than plain black spray paint.
The added dimension goes a long way in detracting from any surface imperfections and makes the furniture look smoother than it really is. Also, this spray paint is incredibly forgiving when it comes to drips. See the current price here: Rustoleum Universal Metallics Oil-Rubbed Bronze Spray Paint
OPTION 2: Restoring Rusted Wrought Iron Furniture (Metal Glider Restoration)
Wrought iron furniture has the amazing capacity to last for decades and still be as structurally sound as the day it was made.
For that reason, it’s so much easier and cost-effective to spray paint old wrought iron furniture instead of spending thousands of dollars on brand-new furniture
This glider is at least 25 years old and has some flash rust over most of the surface. However, it not only looks brand new but has a completely different look now that compliments my white arbor and the rest of my patio furniture.
What discourages people from refinishing wrought iron furniture is how to deal with the rusty mesh. Fortunately, I show you everything you need to know to spray paint wrought iron furniture in this tutorial: Easy Rusted Wrought Iron Furniture Restoration
Renovated Faith: What’s In A Name?
Step 2: The Easiest Way to Sand Patio F
Option 3: Spray Painting Old and New Patio Furniture for One Cohesive Look
If you have an old patio furniture set, don’t feel like you have to stay locked-in to keeping and refinishing the entire furniture grouping.
For example, I had a wrought iron patio table and just 2 chairs that we used at our old house. While the table was still in good condition, I’ve never been fond of the chairs. So, I got low-cost metal chairs online and just spray-painted them the same color I painted the patio table.
In other words, feel free to mix and match old pieces with newer pieces. Spray paint gives you the luxury of making them a matching set!
For tips on painting patio sets, check out this post: How to Paint Metal Outdoor Furniture (Patio Set Restoration)
I’m really happy with this “set” and the chairs have proven to be durable and sturdy. Click the link above to see the great deal I got on my metal chairs.
You can also find the replacement cushions to fit your furniture perfectly here: Replacement Chair Cushions
Pro Tip – How to Paint Metal Dining Chairs
OPTION 4: How Do You Restore Rusty Metal Furniture? (Vintage Tea Cart Makeover)
Sometimes metal furniture needs a lot of love before painting. Especially with antiques and old family heirlooms, you could have lots of rusty metal to cover and even several layers of peeling paint.
For especially rusty pieces of furniture, you want to use a primer. While spray paint does include a rust inhibitor, the spray primer will go an extra step towards preventing further damage and sealing the old rust for good. Here is the one I recommend: The Best Primer for Metal Furniture Restoration
I was initially going to paint this tea cart white so I used a white primer first and waited a few minutes before applying my first coat of white paint.
This vintage furniture piece had lots of previous layers of paint and a really rough finish since some of those layers were peeling. I could have sanding all the layers smooth but by painting it black, I realized I was able to hide most of these imperfections. Lighter colors can sometimes highlight these imperfections but darker colors are great at concealing them.
Above you can see how the rusty tea cart looked after being painted white and below you can see how the black paint better covered the uneven surface from years of chronic rust and peeling layers of paint.
Process Overview: How Do You Restore Metal Furniture?
The tutorial above will give you the best process for your specific outdoor furniture project. But no matter what furniture you are refinishing, there are a few simple steps to ensure you get a smooth durable new finish!
Supplies Needed: How To Paint Metal Outdoor Furniture
Krud Kutter Cleaner for Outdoor Furniture
Tack Cloth or Old Rag
Wire Brush
Electric Sander – Here’s my favorite electric sander for a low price that you can use on any DIY projects.
120 Grit Sandpaper Pads, Fine Sandpaper or Steel Wool
Plastic Sheeting or Drop Cloth
Rustoleum Metallics Universal Spray Paint (See Color Options HERE) OR Rustoleum Ultra Cover (Solid Paint Colors)
Mask – You can get by with a paper face mask but I like using this respirator.
RELATED: How to Transform Home Decor with Spray Paint (Before and After Reveals)
Step 1: Prep Your Work Area
First, be sure to paint in a well-ventilated area where your driveway or any concrete flooring is covered with a thick drop cloth. (Did you know that spray paint melts through plastic garbage bags? Ask me how I know!)
Prep work is so important so remove any old paint that is loose or peeling. Next, you want to use some kind of abrasive media to rough up the old finish. My favorite way to do this is with my electric sander (click here to see the best sander for furniture), but you can also use very fine sandpaper. Wipe off the finish with a tack cloth or damp rag.
Step 2: Priming Patio Furniture
If you are painting rusty metal furniture, you need to use a preventative spray primer first. Spray a light coat of primer over the piece and let it dry 30 minutes
Step 3: Easy Metal Furniture Restoration with Spray Paint
Finally, you can spray on a light coat of spray paint in a consistent spray pattern. The secret to a smooth finish with spray paint is doing very light, thin coats. Spray on the first coat, wait 20 minutes and spray on the second thin coat. Keep repeating this process until you get full coverage. You will probably need two or three coats of paint.
RENOVATE YOUR FAITH: Is God Out to Get You?
For the longest time, there was a part of me that believed God was out to get me. As if at any moment I could sin in some way, and He was just waiting to drop the hammer in the form of punishment and suffering.
Of course, I have always known that God loves me but there were subtle beliefs I had in the back of my mind that if I didn’t get it together, He was going to “let me have it” when I least expected it. I looked at Him more as a slave-driver instead of what He really is – a loving Father.
So where on earth did I get this sense of emphasizing God’s wrath before His grace? I think it was a subtle belief in the church I attended that works and discipline were of greater importance than God’s grace and love. It was that sense of, “If you aren’t living the right way, God’s going to set you straight.”
Now, are there elements of this that are true? Yes. God is not going to allow you to continue in sin because it’s not best for you. He knows it will leave you empty and shattered and He will do anything to keep you from the pain that sin inevitably brings.
“If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31b
God wants to protect us because He is FOR us. So often, I forgot that God and I are on the same side – His side. He loves me as a Father loves His daughter – but exponentially more!
Now, am I saying that the moment you trust God for your salvation your life will be roses and unicorns? Nope, in fact, you will probably suffer more in life as a Christian than a non-Christian.
What I am saying is that when suffering inevitably comes, you can have peace in the storm because you have been hidden in God’s grace for eternity. Once we come to the point of asking forgiveness and turning from our sin to follow Him, we are forever His. Ephesians 1 tells us we are LAVISHED with his grace and goes on to say:
“When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”
Sometimes I fear that sermons on the topic of God’s love and grace get painted with the brush of the prosperity Gospel. Does God want good things for His people? Yes. Do those good things often take a different form than physical possessions or money? Yes. Can God create good things from living in a broken world? Absolutely.
But I think in trying to protect ourselves from the prosperity gospel, we bury the lead – that God does love us unconditionally as His very own sons and daughters.
God does not need us to enact His plans and purposes but He takes pleasure in allowing us to participate in His agenda using the talents and resources He has given to us.
He delights in us cheering us on in the same way a father would as He watched his son play Little League saying “Great job!” God enjoys watching and helping us use the gifts He has given us.
So whether you are talking to your neighbor, teaching your children, or giving yourself a pep-talk, don’t bury the lead. Remember “If God is FOR us, who can be against us?”
For more spiritual encouragement, click here for the rest of my project posts that also include Renovate Your Faith devotionals.
Free Checklist of Spray Painting Tips and Tricks
Here’s where you can get my tried and true tips for getting the best finish possible when spray painting! Get the password for the library with all of my free printables including wall art, checklists, and templates by filling out this form:
How Do You Rejuvenate Metal Outdoor Furniture with New Cushions?
Just as important as spray painting your metal furniture, you also want to replace the outdoor cushions. Before you get started shopping, measure the old cushion dimensions exactly and shop for those sizes first. You might not be able to find the exact same dimensions but sometimes you can get close enough.
Usually, you can find replacement cushions online before having to resort to buying custom cushions. However, this is an option for affordable custom cushions for your furniture: Low-Cost Custom Cushions
The Best Sources for Outdoor Patio Furniture Cushions
I have had the best luck finding replacement cushions online at Amazon and also Lowes online:
Amazon Replacement Patio Furniture Cushions
Lowe’s Replacement Patio Furniture Cushions
Make sure you buy cushions made with durable outdoor fabric that are washable. Some can unzip so you can wash just the cover and others have instructions for washing the whole cushions. To give your cushions a little extra protection from the outdoor elements, give them a spray of this: Outdoor Protective Spray for Fabric
Outdoor Furniture Restoration with New Mesh Slings or Vinyl Straps
Don’t be discouraged if your metal furniture needs replacement vinyl straps or new slings. Before you start spray painting, find replacements here:
Vinyl Straps for Outdoor Chairs
Replacement Slings and Sling Fabric for Metal Furniture
Take a picture of your old furniture piece before removing the old slings and straps in case you need it for reference later. Then, spray paint your sling furniture following the step-by-step tutorial above. After the piece has dried 48 hours, you can reinstall the slings and straps. For more tips on doing this, check out this post: How to Replace Old Slings and Straps on Outdoor Furniture
Metal Patio Furniture Restoration Near Me
If your metal patio furniture is not spray paint-able or needs serious work, find a professional outdoor furniture refinisher in your area. Look for one with years of experience who can handle metal patio furniture repairs with a variety of services.
Often times they will give you a free quote to give you an idea of how expensive their services are. When you get the free estimate, make sure to ask if they have free delivery services. Check online reviews to get an idea of whether they offer quality services that will meet your needs. Also, check online stores to see if buying new is a more affordable price than restoring your old metal furniture with a pro.
Here’s how to find local refinishers in your area: Powder Coating Patio Furniture Near Me
FAQ’s: How Do You Make Metal Furniture Look New?
What Can I do with Old Metal Furniture?
Before you get started spray painting patio furniture it’s a great idea to check out some inspiration online. High-end patio furniture retailers have spent thousands of dollars on product development and marketing so use their creativity to your advantage. Here is where you can get some great ideas for patio furniture colors:
Brown Jordan | Carter Grandle | Florida Patio
How to Restore Powder-Coated Patio Furniture
If you have furniture that was previously powder-coated, you can use the exact same restoration process above when using spray paint for patio furniture refinishing. As I mention in the tutorial, just make sure to remove any loose paint on the entire piece with a wire brush or furniture scraper.
How to Paint Metal Outdoor Furniture Without Spray Paint
The next best option to spray painting metal patio furniture is using a paint sprayer. When using a paint sprayer on metal furniture, the paint is a fraction of the cost, you have many more color options and you can even color match to the color of your choice.
The only negatives with using a paint sprayer are the initial cost of the sprayer and you have to clean up with mineral spirits when you use oil-based paint. A paint sprayer is preferable if you have lots of furniture to paint where buying so many cans would be cost prohibitive. To see how I feel about painting metal pieces of furniture with a brush, see below.
How to Paint Metal Furniture with a Brush
I don’t recommend painting metal furniture with a brush unless you absolutely have to. In my post on painting wrought iron furniture, I mention that painting metal furniture with a brush is like trying to eat ice cream with a fork. Most metal furniture is detailed with intricate patterns, therefore, painting with a brush will set you up for a lot of drips.
Also, metal outdoor furniture will require oil-based paint which in itself is more prone to drips. Most importantly, painting with a brush is so time-consuming in comparison to painting with a can of spray paint that distributes a small quantity of paint evenly for a super smooth surface.
If you must paint metal furniture with a brush, use a small brush and try long strokes to reduce brush marks. After every small section you paint, go back and look at the last section to check for drips and fix those drips with your brush.
However, don’t ever try to fix drips that have half-dried because trying to smooth them out will only gunk up the surface more making it look so much worse than the original drip. Use an exterior oil-based paint and don’t forget to use mineral spirits to clean the oil-based paint off your brush.
More Posts Related to DIY Patio Furniture Restoration
How to Restore Aluminum Patio Furniture Like New (Chaise Louge Reveal)
The Easiest Way to Refinish Wrought Iron Furniture (Glider Reveal)
Simple Patio Furniture Refinishing with Spray Paint ( Tips for Painting Outdoor Dining Tables)
How to Spray Paint Door Knobs and Drawer Pulls with Spray Paint
The Best Spray Paint for Glass (Mason Jar Vase Reveal)
My Best Tips and Tricks for Spray Painting
Easy Chandelier Makeover with Spray Paint
Low-Cost DIY Curtain Rods from Electrical Conduit and Spray Paint
Final Thoughts On Metal Furniture Restoration
Whether you are painting rusty, wrought iron furniture that has seen better days or you are working on a brand new bare metal finish, you have come to the right place. This step-by-step tutorial shows you how to get a professional finish on any outdoor furniture.
This is also such a beginner-friendly process because I show you the best option for spray paint that goes on easily with a super smooth finish. It’s so satisfying to get the look of new furniture without the high cost! With a little work and a couple of cans of spray paint, you don’t have to pay hundreds of dollars to give your old patio furniture new life.
I love to hear your thoughts and questions! Scroll down to leave a comment and I WILL reply! ❤️
Blessings,
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DIY Metal Patio Furniture Restoration
Karin Peters is a DIY expert and the creator of Renovated Faith. She is a furniture painter, a home design consultant, and a tenacious problem solver determined to help you transform your house into a home. With 17 years of experience with DIY home improvement, she researches and analyses professional processes to adapt them to be easy and cost-effective for DIYers. She then tests every project and product before it appears on the site in a detailed, step-by-step format. After attending Texas A&M University, she received her Master of Divinity with Biblical Languages at Southwestern Baptist Theology Seminary. Her passions unite in Renovated Faith, which shows readers how to create a home that serves them so they can pursue their God-given purposes. About Renovated Faith | Editorial Policy | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn
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