Repainting Outdoor Furniture
Question: I have an aluminum patio set that has some paint chips back to the primer and oxidation. What are your recommendations for repainting?
Answer: Before you repaint, be sure to properly prepare the surface. The most important step to surface preparation is to be sure that the surface is clean, dull and dry.
Because your patio set is metal, first check to see if there is any rust on the surface. You’ll want to remove any loose rust with a wire brush, sandpaper or a chemical rust remover.
Since you mentioned there are paint chips, you’ll want to sand smooth the areas where the chips are so that you don’t see the uneven surface when you repaint. If the patio set currently has a glossy painted surface, lightly sand over the surface to make the finish look dull. Use a tack cloth to wipe all sanded areas clean.
If there’s any oil on the surface, remove with a degreaser or denatured alcohol (this is particularly necessary on new metal). Otherwise, just clean with ordinary household detergent or mineral spirits.
Once the surface is clean, dull and dry, you can follow with a primer and your choice of paint. Be sure to read directions before starting to paint with any product, use proper ventilation, and try to avoid painting in direct sunlight and in hot, humid weather for the best finish.
A great option for repainting your outdoor patio furniture is Krylon Outdoor Spaces paint. You won’t need a primer on your metal surface with this paint, which saves you a step, and it protects against rust, UV color fade and weather damage. This paint offers the highest amount of protection for outdoor projects and comes in a variety of stylish colors and finishes so that you can have a durable finish that looks as good as your furniture indoors.
