How To Paint Metal Outdoor Furniture？

Has this happened to your outdoor metal furniture? The once bright colors become mottled and dull after sun and rain, and the original exquisite corner of the patio thus loses its style. Faded furniture has become a little short of the scenery, to change the color of metal furniture, not only can solve the fading trouble, but also can easily for your outdoor space environment into a new vitality.

Well, from here on out, we will unveil the mystery of changing color of metal furniture for you, from the reason to change color to practical steps, to the environmental protection paint recommendation and anti-fading science!

Give metal furniture to change the color of the heartwarming reasons

Save fading “old buddy”

• outdoor metal furniture long-term exposure to sunlight, rain, wind and sand and other natural environments, the surface of the paint coating is extremely vulnerable to damage, fading, peeling and other problems. The original brightly colored tables and chairs become gray, and the carefully arranged outdoor recreation area loses its former glory. Changing the color of the furniture instantly gives the old furniture a new lease of life and once again becomes a unique scenery in the courtyard.

Unlock a new style

• Aesthetics will change over time, and the color of furniture that you once liked may no longer match the current decorating style or personal preferences. Do you want to change your outdoor space from a fresh rustic style to a stylish industrial style? Or switch from a minimalist modern style to a vintage Mediterranean style? Changing colors is the most direct and economical way to do this. Simply change the color of the furniture, you can easily create a very different atmosphere, so that the outdoor space a new look.

Low-cost space transformation

• Re-acquisition of a set of outdoor furniture is not expensive, while to change the color of the existing furniture, the cost is as low as a hundred dollars can be achieved. Whether you want to keep up with trendy color trends, or adjust the outdoor atmosphere according to seasonal changes, color change is a cost-effective option. Spending a small amount of money can make a big difference and keep your outdoor space looking fresh at all times.

So, ready to start learning how to change the color of your metal furniture? Check out the full process of changing the color of your metal furniture in detail below

Step 1: Evaluate the Metal

Before you begin preparing metal furniture or even picking out paint products, evaluate the type and condition of the metal.
There are two types of metals typically used for furniture:

• Ferrous metals contain iron. Think of heavier furniture made from wrought iron or steel.
• Non-ferrous metals, such as aluminum or copper, are lighter in weight and contain no iron.

Check for rust or corrosion, which will determine the preparation needed before painting metal furniture.

Step 2:Preparation

• Tools: sandpaper (coarse sandpaper for sanding old paint, fine sandpaper for fine sanding), wire brush, protective gloves, mask, goggles, spray gun (if you choose to spray) or roller brush, brush, masking tape, plastic sheet.
• Preparation of materials: environmentally friendly metal paint (matte, semi-matte or glossy paint according to demand), primer, thinner (if necessary), anti-rust paint (for furniture with rust stains).
• Site selection: Choose a well-ventilated, well-lit and clean dry site, such as an outdoor open space or garage. Avoid working in wet or windy weather to prevent dust from adhering and affecting the paint finish.

Step 3:Cleaning and polishing

• Wipe the surface of the furniture with a damp cloth to remove dust, dirt and grease. For stubborn stains, use neutral cleaner to clean, then rinse with water and dry.
• Use a wire brush or coarse sandpaper to thoroughly sand the surface of the furniture to remove old paint, rust and uneven parts. Sand in the direction of the metal grain to ensure even sanding. After sanding, wipe the surface with a clean rag to remove any debris from sanding.

Step 4:Rustproofing (if necessary)

• If the furniture has surface rust, it needs to be rustproofed first. Remove the rust thoroughly with a wire brush, then apply a coat of antirust paint and allow the paint to dry completely (usually 24 hours) before proceeding to the next step.

Step 5:Primer spraying

• Primer can enhance the adhesion between topcoat and metal surface and improve the rust prevention performance. Mix the primer well. If the primer is too thick, add appropriate amount of thinner according to the product instruction. Apply the primer evenly with a spray gun or roller brush, making sure every corner is covered. The drying time of the primer is according to the product instructions, usually 4-6 hours.

Step 6:Topcoat spraying

• After the primer is completely dry, choose the color of the topcoat you like and mix it well.
• If you use a spray gun, adjust the air pressure of the spray gun and spraying distance (generally 20-30 cm from the surface of the furniture), in accordance with the order from left to right, from top to bottom of the uniform spraying, to avoid the phenomenon of hanging. If you use roller brush or brush, paint in the direction of the metal grain to ensure the paint surface is smooth and even.
• It is recommended to apply 2-3 coats of topcoat, with 2-3 hours between coats, to allow the paint to dry fully. The last coat takes longer to dry, usually 12-24 hours.

Step 7:Finishing

• After the topcoat is completely dry, remove the masking tape and plastic sheeting and inspect the surface of the furniture for imperfections. If there are unevenness or missed paintings, make partial repairs. Finally, place the furniture in a well-ventilated place to dry for a few days to allow the paint odor to fully emit.

If the text version is a bit cumbersome for you, we also have a video version for you, click on the YouTube link!

In addition, we have learned about some eco-friendly and healthy PAINT BRANDS for your reference

So, next, let’s also learn about the causes of fading and discoloration so that we can do something to protect our new color tables and chairs and keep them for a longer time.

Outdoor Metal Furniture Discoloration Reasons Revealed and Protection Guide

The cause of color loss

• Ultraviolet radiation: The ultraviolet rays in the sunlight are one of the main causes of color loss in metal furniture. Long-term exposure to the sun will make the pigment molecules in the paint decomposition, the color gradually lighten and fade.
• Rain erosion: rain is weakly acidic, which will have a chemical reaction with the paint, destroying the structure of the paint coating, resulting in paint peeling, color loss.
• Temperature difference: the temperature difference between day and night and the seasonal temperature difference will make the metal heat expansion and contraction, and the repeated expansion and contraction will lead to cracks in the paint coating, which in turn will cause the color to fall off.
• Material and process problems: poor quality metal materials and unqualified surface treatment process, will reduce the adhesion of paint and metal, so that the paint is more likely to peel off the color.

Precautions for protection

• Choose high-quality furniture and paint: When purchasing outdoor metal furniture, choose products with anti-rust treatment and high-quality baking paint process. When replacing colors, use professional outdoor metal paint to ensure that it has good weather resistance and UV resistance.
• Do a good job of daily maintenance: regularly clean the surface of the furniture, remove dust and stains, to avoid long-term accumulation of dirt corrosion of paint. After the rainy season, wipe the surface of the furniture in time to keep it dry.
• Provide cover protection: When the furniture is not in use, it can be covered with a waterproof and sunscreen furniture cover to reduce the erosion of sunlight, rain and sand. If conditions permit, place furniture under an awning or gazebo.
• Regular Inspection and Repair: Check the condition of the paint on the surface of the furniture at regular intervals, and if you find any slight flaking or discoloration, make timely repairs to prevent the problem from expanding.

Changing the color of your outdoor metal furniture is more than just a simple makeover. By doing it yourself, you can bring your old furniture back to life and create a unique outdoor space. Take action now and start your furniture refreshing journey! If you have any questions or unique experiences during the color change process, please feel free to CONTACT US to share and exchange!