DIY! A GUIDE ON HOW TO CLEAN, PAINT AND PROTECT YOUR METAL GARDEN FURNITURE FOR A LONG TIME TO COME
If you are lucky enough to have a garden, then having some outdoor furniture is an essential part of enjoying the space. However, metal garden furniture is prone to rust and other forms of wear and tear. In this guide, we will take you through the steps you need to know to clean, paint, and protect your metal garden furniture, so it will look great for many seasons to come.
Materials and Tools Required
Before you get started, you will need some materials and tools to complete the job. Here is a list of what you will need:
- Protective gear (gloves, goggles, and a mask)
- Metal cleaner
- Rust remover
- Sandpaper (medium and fine-grit)
- Primer
- Paint
- Clear coat
- Paintbrushes and rollers
- Cleaning cloths
Step 1: Clean the Furniture
The first step in preparing your metal garden furniture for painting is to clean it thoroughly. Use a metal cleaner to remove any dirt, grime, or debris from the furniture. Follow the instructions on the cleaner, and make sure to wear protective gear such as gloves, goggles, and a mask. Rinse the furniture with water and allow it to dry completely.
Step 2: Remove the Rust
If there is any rust on the furniture, use a rust remover to eliminate it. Apply the rust remover with a brush and allow it to sit for the recommended time. Use a wire brush to remove the rust and wipe the furniture with a clean cloth.
Step 3: Sand the Furniture
Use medium-grit sandpaper to remove any remaining rust and to smooth out any rough patches. Then, use fine-grit sandpaper to create a smooth surface for painting. Wipe the furniture with a clean cloth to remove any dust or debris.
Step 4: Prime the Furniture
Apply a coat of primer to the furniture to help the paint adhere and provide a smooth surface. Use a paintbrush or roller to apply the primer, and allow it to dry completely.
Step 5: Paint the Furniture
Once the primer is dry, it’s time to paint the furniture. Choose a paint that is specifically designed for outdoor use and is suitable for metal surfaces. Apply the paint in thin, even coats, using a paintbrush or roller. Allow each coat to dry before applying the next.
Step 6: Seal the Paint
After the final coat of paint has dried completely, apply a clear coat to protect the furniture from the elements. The clear coat will help prevent the paint from chipping or fading over time. Allow the clear coat to dry completely.
Step 7: Regular Maintenance
To ensure that your metal garden furniture remains in good condition, regular maintenance is essential. Clean the furniture regularly with a metal cleaner and a soft cloth. Inspect the furniture for any signs of wear and tear and make repairs as needed.
Metal Garden Furniture Maintenance
With so many options to select from, aluminum garden furniture is by far chosen by most homeowners owing to its comparatively lightweight properties than other variants such as cast iron garden furniture, which although extremely luxurious is fairly bulky if shifting is required.
Apart from feeling less weighty, extruded aluminum dining sets and benches evoke just as much finesse as hand-crafted wrought iron garden furniture – the most magnificent out of the furniture lot with relation to ultimate grandeur!
In conclusion, regardless of whatsoever metal your outdoor furniture may be crafted from, it always requires regular commitment in order to maintain its shine and radiance similar to how it would’ve been immediately after you may have purchased it!
To make sure that your outdoor furnishings always look as good as new, all it takes is a few minutes of scrubbing and rubbing at least once every three to four months or so. On a budget-friendly basis, you’ll hence be left with clean and gleaming pieces of metal furniture, sans any disappointment! Here’s how you can get started:
1) The cleaning processes of all forms of outdoor metal furniture.
(i) For metal furniture frames:
Please note: before beginning to clean your outdoor metal furniture, make sure accessories such as parasols and cushions are removed and stowed away in a safe place so that they don’t get damaged.
You will need:
- 1 liter of water,
- A few drops of a dish-washing agent,
- A few drops of vinegar,
- A sponge,
- Sandpaper.
Instructions for cleaning:
- With sandpaper, start by brushing the entire surface area of your furniture thoroughly so that all forms of dirt, chipped paint, and other debris is disintegrated and a smooth surface of the furniture is revealed.
- Next, rinse with cool water.
- Adding a few drops of dish-washing agent and vinegar to 1 liter of water, create a thoroughly blended solution that shall now be used for cleaning.
- Dipping a sponge into this solution, scrub every part of your furniture well.
- Follow by rinsing again.
- Let air dry.
(ii) For cushions:
You will need:
- Two bucketfuls of tepid water,
- 175 g of hydrogen peroxide-based bleaching agent,
- A laundry scrubber.
Instructions for cleaning:
- Mixing the entire net quantity of hydrogen peroxide-based bleach with the water in one bucket, make a properly blended solution.
- Next, completely immerse one cushion into this water and scrub it with the laundry scrubber as and how required.
- Remove, and immerse again into the other bucket of clean tepid water to rinse away suds.
- Follow up with thoroughly rinsing once again with a hose pipe.
- Repeat the above steps for all remaining cushions.
- Let air dry.
2) The repainting processes of all forms of outdoor metal garden furniture.
For best results after repainting, initially clean furniture frames as directed above.
You will need:
- Primer or base coat (for light-colored surfaces only),
- Topcoat (shade shall be subject to what furniture’s current color of paint is) either as an aerosol spray or brush-on lacquer.
Instructions for repainting:
- Beginning with the application of primer if the topcoat is of a lighter hue, let dry completely before applying a second coat.
- Next, apply or spray topcoat on inconsistent strokes so that air bubbles, ripples, drips, and any other forms of uneven texture is avoided. Let air dry for 24 hours.
- Repeat the same step as mentioned above for completing the task. Leave to air dry for another 24 hours again.
3) The protective processes of outdoor metal garden furniture
(i) Use a vinyl-based furniture cover:
During moments of harsh weather or if you’re not scheduled to use your metal outdoor furniture for a considerably long period of time, make it a habit to cover it all up for ultimate safety.
(ii) Use automobile wax to further enhancing shine and durability:
Possessing properties of alleviating the chance of excessive oxidation (which can thereby lead to corrosion), rubbing on a layer of automobile wax is a tried-and-tested method to increase the longevity of metal outdoor furniture.
