Too many times, metal furniture ends up in a trash pile just because it is looking worn out. This is a shame because with a little elbow grease and some paint you can make any piece of metal furniture feel like new. Though it does take work, painting your metal furniture can be a great way to save money. Here is how to do it.
Clean
Give your metal furniture a good cleaning before you do anything else. Paint cannot stick to an item that is dirty. So be sure to clean your furniture and let it dry completely before moving on. A simply mixture of water and a mild detergent will do the trick.
Sand
Next you will need to lightly sand down your piece with 120 grit sand paper, removing any rust from the piece. Metal is a non-porous surface, which makes it hard for paint to stick to. Sanding will give the paint something to grip to. So if you want your paint job to last, do not skip this step. Take the time to do a good job sanding and you will be glad you did down the road.
Prime
Once you are done priming your piece of furniture, it is time to prime it. Like sanding, primer helps the paint to stick better to your furniture, so take the time to apply a few light coats of primer before you paint. Also, make sure the primer you pick up is specifically designed for non-porous surfaces so that the primer will do its job better. It does not matter whether you choose to use a spray primer or apply your primer with paint so long as primer is applied.
Once your primer has had time to completely dry, you can apply your paint. Typically spray paint has the smoothest results on metal, however if you apply your paint correctly you can get good results with a brush as well. Either way, you want to apply your paint in several light coats, letting dry between each coat. This will help prevent drips and give a smoother finish.
If you do choose a spray paint, look to see if you can find one specifically designed for metal. These paints will typically protect your furniture from rust for years to come, so they are worth the extra money. Brands like Rust-Olium and Krylon both provide excellent results at a reasonable price.
Dry
When the last coat of paint has been applied, it is important to let it dry completely before moving. Usually you want to give the paint at least 24 hours to sit and cure before you start using it. This drying time allows the paint to bond to the furniture and prevents future chipping. Once the paint has dried, you are done. You can now enjoy your hard work and the new look of your furniture. Just be careful, you may find yourself wanting to paint all of your other metal furniture too, whether it needs it or not.
