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How to Prepare and Paint Metal Furniture

If your clients’ metal furniture has seen better days, it might require a bit of upcycling. Whether it’s a rusty outdoor table or a metal chair set that needs a new lease of life, it’s easy to restore indoor and outdoor furniture.

As metal furniture ages, it can begin to look faded and run-down. A project like painting metal furniture offers lots of room for creativity, and the design opportunities are endless. You can use exterior metal paints or interior metal paint to create different looks.

But just like any decorating job, effective planning and preparation is required. You’ll most likely be dealing with chipped and flaking paint that needs to be removed, so selecting the right tools for the job is essential. If you’re working on outdoor furniture, you’ll have to put extra weatherproofing measures in place.

Read on for our guide to preparing and painting metal furniture, complete with handy tips to make your clients’ furniture look as good as new.


Prep and Painting Step-By-Step


Our prep and painting guide isn’t just limited to projects involving tables and chairs. You can also use these steps when upcycling other metal furniture, such as umbrella stands, garage doors, and benches. Before you begin preparing the metal furniture for painting, it’s important to check for any repairs that need taking care of. These might include replacing any hinges or bolts.

The steps for prepping and painting metal furniture are as follows:

Pre-project preparation – choose a design for the furniture and prepare the space around you.

Cleaning – remove any loose dust or paint and wipe down the furniture.

Prep – sand the metal surface and apply primer.

Painting – use effective spray paint or brush techniques to coat the furniture.

Aftercare – advise your clients on what measures they should take to keep their metal furniture looking spick and span.


You will need:

  • Dust sheets or cardboard

  • Protective gear – a dust mask, gloves and goggles

  • Soft-bristle brush

  • Wire brush

  • Electric sander

  • Masking tape

  • Oil-based paint



Pre-Project Preparation


Before getting stuck into the project, consult with your client on what sort of paint design they’d like. For example, they may prefer you to use a few colours to decorate the furniture, instead of just one.

Gather all the tools and materials you need, to have them all to hand. It’s recommended to work in an open space when painting metal furniture. If you’re working on interior metal furniture, it’s advisable to bring it outdoors as rust from the metal can make floors dirty. Protect the area around you with cardboard or dust sheets.



Cleaning


Once you’ve prepared your workspace, it’s time to move on to cleaning the furniture. Firstly, remove any detachable accessories such as cushions. Use a soft-bristle brush to remove any loose dust or dirt. If you’re dealing with a particularly rusty or shiny surface, use a wire brush to remove rust. 

Mix two to three teaspoons of washing-up liquid into a bowl of warm water and use a sponge to wipe the furniture clean. Then, dry it with a towel.


Top tip


Use a cloth soaked in turpentine or vinegar to gently remove any oils or grease from the furniture. Leave to dry for around 30 minutes.



Prep


Ensure the furniture is fully dry before moving on to sanding. If you’re dealing with large areas of rust, use an electric sander with a coarse grit paper to sand down the surfaces until they are entirely smooth.

You can also use steel wool to eliminate rust and achieve an even surface. Simply scrub it over the furniture to get rid of any flaking rust or paint.


Top tip


If the rust is particularly stubborn, apply a specialist gel like the Hammerite Rust Remover Gel to lift it off. This gel features a non-drip formula and does not damage paintwork.

After you’ve sanded the furniture, wipe it down with a clean, dry cloth to remove any excess rust or dust. Then, apply your chosen metal primer paint over the surfaces using big, sweeping motions. Set aside the furniture and leave it to dry.


Top tip


If you’re planning on applying multiple paints to the metal furniture, use masking tape to seal the surfaces and achieve an even finish.



Painting


Once the primer is totally dry, it’s time to move on to painting. You can use brush or spray techniques to apply the colour. We recommend using oil-based paint as this will take better to metal furniture.

Before painting, ensure you’re wearing the right protective gear. This includes a dust mask, gloves and goggles.

If you’re using spray paint, shake the can thoroughly before you apply the paint to the furniture. Use sweeping motions to apply the paint and work from left to right.

If you’re using a brush, coat the furniture with an even layer of paint, remembering to apply the same pressure with every stroke. Use light and consistent strokes for an even finish.

Leave the paint to dry fully in a well-ventilated space.

Apply as many coats of paint as necessary to achieve your client’s desired finish. Once they’re happy with the result, leave the furniture to cure.


Top tip


If you’re planning on using a spray paint machine for your project, check out our guide on spray machines and accessories for expert tips and tricks.



Aftercare


Metal furniture should be cleaned regularly to remove any dirt. Avoid using abrasive cleaners as these can scratch the paintwork. Instead, opt for warm water and non-detergent soap. 

Outdoor metal furniture can become subject to the effects of weathering over time. To keep the furniture looking great for as long as possible, advise your clients to store it in the shed or garage. It might also be worth investing in a furniture cover to keep it protected.


Ready to revamp your clients’ metal furniture? Browse our range of Hammerite products today to achieve an expert finish. You can also explore our huge selection of paints to find the perfect colour for the job. Get ready for your next decorating project with Dulux Decorator Centre.

About the Author

Dulux Decorator Centre
DDC
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