Keep Up Preventative Maintenance
Even though we mentioned keeping your patio furniture dry, you should periodically wash everything to make sure that it is clean.
When you wash your furniture, look for any rust spots developing and treat them immediately. Use a small wire brush to get the rust off and then treat it with a bit of touch up paint and, at the very least, make sure to use paste wax.
How To Clean Outdoor Furniture
No matter how careful you are, something is bound to spill on your patio furniture. Maybe someone drops guacamole on the cushions of your sectional deck sofa or tips over a glass wine onto the dining table in your screened-in porch. Suntan lotion is bound to get wiped onto poolside sunloungers at some point, and those are just of few of the ways people can muck up your pristine outdoor setting. Mother nature has plenty of tactics too. Wind, rain, sun, trees, bugs, birds, critters and many more things can dirty up and damage your furniture if you dont take preventative steps and clean it regularly. But woods, metals and plastics all need to be attended to a little differently.
How To Tell Its Time For Wrought Iron Furniture Restoration
Wrought iron is a type of metal that has low carbon content. Although it is not as hard as steel, it is tough and malleable, which makes it great to make decorative fixtures. However, it will begin to show signs of damage with frequent exposure to harsh weather conditions
When you begin to see any of the following, then your wrought iron furniture could be signaling it is time for restoration.
When you live in a region with a climate that contains a lot of moisture, the wrought-iron furniture in your backyard, on your deck, porch or patio may begin to grow algae in its nooks and crannies. If left untreated, algae â along with excessive moisture â can weaken wrought-iron furniture and cause it to rust. While algae looks unsightly, it does not take much effort to remove it and keep your wrought-iron furniture looking new.
1
Fill a bucket with warm water and add several drops of liquid dish soap. Swirl the mixture around with your finger to create suds.
2
Dip a stiff-bristled brush into the sudsy water. Scrub the algae covered spots on the wrought-iron furniture. This removes most of the algae, as well as dirt and other debris.
3
Attach a nozzle to the hose to better direct the spray and increase the water pressure from the hose. Spray the algae-cleaned areas with the hose and nozzle. You can also wipe it with a damp cloth. Let dry in the sun.
4
5
Let the disinfectant or sterilizing solution set for 24 hours, then rinse it off.
References
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How To Repaint Metal Outdoor Furniture
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I found this vintage metal loveseat at a yard sale last summer for $20, but it sure didnt look like this when I got it.
Up until last weekend, this is what it looked like.
Lots of peeling paint and rust, topped off with a thick layer of pollen.
Have some metal outdoor furniture that you need to repaint? Here how to get a paint job that looks good and lasts.
Gathering Materials And Prepping Your Space
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Begin by gathering your tools, materials and project to your working space. Once you start painting, youll want to have everything to hand, so its a good idea to have a little extra paint, all of your protective equipment and any additional tools you might need such as a screwdriver, sander or drill.
We recommend working in an open space when applying paints and finishes to your project. If you cant work outdoors, you should ensure that your working area is well ventilated.
Spray paint can be messy to work with, so its a good idea to protect your floor or the surface youre working on. Depending on the size and shape of your project you may wish to use old cardboard, newspaper, tarpaulin or dust sheets.
How to restore faded cast aluminum patio furniture
Those of us with beautiful lawn gardens are almost always worried about how to restore faded cast aluminum patio furniture. The quote which says that
The first impression is the last impression
and when it comes to our homes the first thing that one sees is our lawn or garden. Hence, you should pay a lot of attention to your garden furniture also considering the fact that it is not a cheap investment in the first place. And if not taken care of properly can ruin the whole look of your house.
Patio furniture, unfortunately, has to fight all kinds of extreme weather changes and other things such as:
- the scorching sun
- bugging bugs and pests
- wear and tear due to human use
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Scrub Lightly If Necessary
You can just let the cleaner sit on the surface for a few minutes, then rinse it off. But I prefer to give it a hand by using a soft bristled scrub brush with a pole attachment. You donât need to scrub hard! Just a light pass will remove most of the grime easily, and works between the slats where the spray might have missed.
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Use A Commercial Rust Remover
A final option is to use a commercial rust remover, available at any home improvement store. Because these are heavily chemical-based they can be a great method for removing rust, though youll want to take proper precautions when using them, such as wearing gloves and goggles.
We recommend trying one or more of the natural rust removal methods above first and then, if youre not having success, looking into a commercial remover. That way, you can save yourself money if the natural method gets the job done.
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How To Restore Your Wrought Iron Patio Furniture
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The Right Way To Repaint Metal Outdoor Furniture
If you want a perfectly smooth finish, hire someone to sandblast your patio furniture, or use paint stripper to remove all the paint.
Otherwise, just use a wire brush to remove any loose paint.
Then, follow up with 80-100 grit sandpaper. I recommend using a palm sander to speed up the process. I spent three hours wire brushing and sanding this loveseat. Its worth putting the time into surface prep, if you want your paint to hold up for a long time.
Pro Tip: If the paint on your outdoor furniture isnt peeling, skip all the brushing and sanding, and apply a liquid sander deglosser. Itll rough up the surface, so your new coat of paint adheres well.
Once youve prepared the surface, dust your patio furniture off then, put on a protective mask, and apply a coat of primer. If youre starting with bare metal, use Rustoleum Clean Metal Primer . If youre starting with rusted metal, use Rustoleum Rusty Metal Primer .
Pro Tip: Spend a few bucks on a spray paint handle. Your trigger finger will thank you.
Allow the primer to dry. Then, look over the surface of your piece to see if there are any places where the primer has raised the surface of the old paint. If there are, use a razor blade to remove the lifted paint.
Then, follow up with two to three coats of spray paint.
If you want to do a two-tone paint job. Just spray the first color then, use strips of paper or plastic to mask off the painted parts, before you spray the second color.
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How To Paint Plastic Patio Furniture
Conventional wisdom says dont, but if you arent especially attached to your plastic patio furniture and wont be heartbroken if the finish doesnt last for years, painting it might be worth a try.
Youll need to pick up just a few supplies:
- A large tarp or drop cloth
- White vinegar
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Add A Protective Coat
If you aren’t applying a protective enamel finish to your painted metal furniture, Henry says you’re doing it wrong. “A final clear coat of oil-based urethane will provide added durability and help prevent future damage to the furniture,” she says. She recommends sticking with an oil-based enamel, versus a water-based one, since they last longer and often create a brighter finish.
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How Do You Restore Faded Powder Coating
Powder coating is tough, but even powder coating needs some TLC. To restore faded powder coated furniture, try some car wax. Or you can buy some powder coating polish.
Choose a sunny day. First, clean your furniture with some dish washing soap in a bucket of warm water. Use a spray nozzle on a hose or a power washer to wash all the dirt and soap off. Then, let the furniture dry.
Its always a good idea to start any project with a small, out-of-the-way area. Once you are satisfied with the results, do the entire piece of furniture.
To do the small area, use a microfiber cloth or sponge to apply a small amount of car wax or polish to your furniture and rub it in. Just like your car.
Rub the wax on all powder coated surfaces and let it dry. Then, wipe off the wax residue. Be sure to get big wax blobs off the furniture as they will harden in the heat of a sunny day.
Clean Oxidized Aluminum Patio Furniture
Handling aluminum furniture can be a little tricky at times. You cant use baking soda to remove rust, so an alternative method is necessary when it comes to restoring the look of the furniture in your outdoor space. Before you begin the rust removal process, start by cleaning the surface with soapy water.
Doing this removes any scuff marks, debris, or dirt and gives you a clean space to work with. After the washing and scrubbing are complete, the sanding process can begin.
- A spray bottle
Surprisingly, vinegar is also a great way to remove rust from metals. Whether removing rust from cast iron with vinegar or using the same method on aluminum and iron, you also need to incorporate a sanding tool such as steel wool or sandpaper.
To use one of the home remedies for cleaning aluminum, start by spraying the surface of the metal with the water and vinegar solution. Next, use the sander to gently scrape away the layer of rust coating your patio furniture.
After removing all the rust with one of the best ways to clean aluminum, add a layer of protectant over the freshly sanded area, such as paste wax, sealant, or mild oil. Your aluminum patio or deck furniture will look almost brand-new again after just a little time and attention with basic household ingredients.
With these fantastic recipes and cleaning tips for maintaining your iron patio furniture, you are now fully equipped to handle any challenge that comes your way at least when it comes to your outdoor patio pieces.
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Mix Your Cleaning Solution
The recommended substance to use to clean your iron furniture is lukewarm water and a dish soap used for hand washing, such as Dawn . Just take a gallon or larger sized bucket, or a similarly sized bowl, and fill it with lukewarm water. Then add two or three squirts of dish soap. Mix the water and the dish soap together with a large spoon or with your hands until it forms a uniform solution.
Supplies Needed To Paint Metal Patio Furniture
- All-Purpose cleaner and sponge
- Rust inhibiting primer
- Gloss spray paint
Before painting, I first cleaned them with all-purposed cleaner and a scotch pad sponge. I also went over the rusty spots with a metal wire brush to remove any loose pieces of paint or rust.
Its important to prime those places where rust is forming because if they arent primed, the rust will come right through the new coat of paint. For those rusty spots, I used rusty metal primer.
Then, I gave each chair a quick coat with clean metal primer to ensure the new paint would adhere beautifully to the chairs.
I used a gloss spray paint in six bright colors to change things up for this little patio set.
Each chair needed two coats of spray paint, which ended up being one full can of paint per chair.
When spraying chairs, the trick is to give two coats of paint with the chairs upside down, let them dry completely, and then flip them over and give two coats of paint to the front sides that werent hit when the chairs were upside down.
My girls each have their favorite colored chair to sit in, and Mommy gets the green chair that rocks. My four-year-old daughter commented that she didnt like that I chose my favorite colors for the rocking chairs instead of her favorite color, purple. I told her that when she starts painting furniture she can decide the color she wants to paint it. I may regret that statement in a couple of years
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How To Rejuvenate Faded Metal Outdoor Furniture Using Rust
One of the best ways to enjoy a backyard and patio is with a beautiful, welcoming space with furniture that catches your eye. But that furniture, especially metal outdoor furniture, can take a beating from the elements and look worn and faded. Today Im going to share with you one of the easiest and cheapest ways to update your outdoor space how to rejuvenate faded metal outdoor furniture using spray paint.
Its an easy project that anyone can tackle in an afternoon. Plus refurbishing faded metal outdoor furniture this way will help your wallet, costing a fraction of the price of brand new furniture.
This post contains affiliate links, including but not limited to Amazon Associates. As such, I earn from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure located here.
Heres my metal outdoor side table. I picked it up for free last year from a neighbor through a Facebook Freebie group. Its a small round metal outdoor side table. Very unassuming. But I see a lot of potential in it. It would be perfect in a corner of my patio to hold a small planter, or sit next to my chair for my morning tea or a good book. Or hold a Sangria pitcher and glasses for two.
While it was in overall decent shape when I picked it up from my neighbor, I wasnt keen on the color. I wasnt necessarily repulsed by the color. It just didnt do anything for me. So I decided to refurbish this faded metal outdoor furniture piece and Im so glad I did!
How Do I Clean Powder Coated Aluminum Patio Furniture
Cleaning powder-coated aluminum furniture would seem like a relatively straightforward thing to do at first glance and after doing some research it turns out that it is.
Cleaning powder-coated aluminum patio furniture is simple. Chemical cleaning products will damage powder coating, so just use some mild dishwashing soap, water, and a sponge. For really dirty furniture, you can use a pressure washer as this wont cause any damage.
In this article were going to consider in more detail how to wash your powder coated aluminum furniture and answer some other common questions related to this process
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Metal Patio Chair Makeover Supply List
Weve had the chairs in this tutorial for about 10 years. I think theyre a Martha Stewart special .
The chairs are made from metal and have plastic slats for the cushions.
I bet youre just like me and hate spending a ton of money of outdoor furniture. If youve got metal patio chairs this is s great way to rejuvenate them in one day.
Here are the supplies youll need
- Wire brush with scraper
- 60, 120, 220 Grit sand paper for sander
- Bucket, water, and sponge
- Rust Oleum Universal Paint & Primer
- Respirator
- Protective eyewear
This project will take you about two hours and it the end youll be super stoked with your chairs makeover. So lets get to it.
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