Thinking of giving a facelift to your indoor and outdoor furniture this year? A new paint job is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of revamping old furniture. Because hey, that’s the easiest and quickest way we can upgrade the old furniture. Well, we hate to burst your bubble here. As easy and fun as painting seems, there are so many details attached to it that simply can’t be overlooked. And by the end of the day, you are looking for a newer version of your old furniture. So you have to make sure that your paint job is not a grimy one.

Best Paint Options for Metal Furniture

Metal furniture has a small life if not maintained properly. Rust and discoloration can make it look old and completely worn out. It might start looking like a piece of junk in a short span of time. But doing metal furniture is not a difficult task, only if you have the right guidance as to what kind of paint you should use and why.

Metal-friendly paints can be water-based as well as oil-based. They come in regular paint cans or even in spray bottle form. These paints have a special formula to treat rust or handle other issues which can be deteriorating for the metal. Also, there are certain rules that need to be followed for painting metal furniture so that you can get the required results from these metal-dedicated paints.

Here is our detailed guide on the kind of paints that will be suitable for painting your metal furniture with all their pros and cons.

Water-Based

Preferred for their quick-drying feature, water-based paints are our suggested paints for indoor metal furniture. They are also called latex paints. They have pigment, binder, and water as their main component. Water-based paints are commonly used, are cheap, and are very environmentally friendly as they don’t release harmful fumes. If you are short on time and you need quick drying then water-based paints should be your “go-to” paints rather than oil-based paints, which normally take up to many hours to dry. Another great aspect of water-based paints is that they do not fade over time so quickly and they are very easy to clean. These come in a great range of finishes. Water-based paints offer great deterioration resistance when used with Zinc primers.

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However, a few hitches when it comes to water-based paints should be kept in mind:

● You will have to use an oil-based primer so that it bonds to the metal surface.

● It does not offer long-lasting results.

● Rust is a big problem with water-based paints. For this issue, we recommend using a primer before the actual paint.

Before getting your paints, it is very important that you read the labeling on the container and that it should mention that it is metal friendly.

Fact: Did you know that water-based paints can be used over the existing oil-based paints? But at the same time, you cannot use oil-based paints over the existing water-based paints. 

Oil-Based

If you want long-lasting paint for your outdoor metal furniture then, oil-based paints should be your “numero uno” choice. The durability it provides can be the foremost reason for that. Oil-based paints are pigment-rich. Also, they contain solvent and sometimes plant-based oil which makes them much more costly than water-based paints. And oil-based paints emit fumes because of these solvents. These fumes are extremely dangerous for the human lungs. So it is advised to wear a mask at all times while dealing with such paints. It is also important to choose outdoor furniture that can withstand harsh weather conditions. And for this, we have prepared a guide on how to buy outdoor furniture that would last.

The plant oil or sometimes synthetic resins, which is a key component of these kinds of oils, play a very important role in giving a great finishing touch to the painted furniture. What they actually do is create a hard coating that is not breathable. That feature resists and treats stains, dents, and scratches. Also, they are water-resistant.

There are a few minor setbacks to using oil-based paints as well. But they are negligible as compared to their benefits and can be handled with a little vigilance.

● Firstly the fumes that are emitted can have long-lasting harmful effects on your lungs if not used with the right protective gear. So make sure that you have the mask and goggles on before starting.

● Secondly, the paint can chip and fade off easily due to specific components added to this paint. For this, we recommend using a product that already has a built-in protectant. Check ingredients before buying.

● The drying time for oil-based paints is minimally six to eight hours which is a lot as compared to water-based paints.

Recommended: Always use an oil-based primer before painting for a smoother finish.

How to Paint Old and New Metal Furniture?

If you have old metal furniture that has gone to seed and you don’t want to discard it, simply revamp it instead of throwing it out. An understandable way for instantly revamping old metal furniture is to give it a new paint job. Just don’t get intimidated by the task because we will give you an “a” to “z” guide on painting your old as well as new furniture. It doesn’t matter if your furniture is outdoor or indoor; the course of action remains the same for both. Only there is a slight change in the products. 

Safety First:

Whether you are painting your old furniture or the new one, being careful is the foremost step. Look around your house and pick a well-ventilated spot for painting your furniture. Since oil-based paints release fumes that are injurious to human health that is why an open area is recommended. Place a protective sheet underneath the furniture. Don’t forget to wear a paint respirator mask. These protect you from inhaling chemicals and harmful vapors. Wear gloves to protect your hands from all the scrubbing, paint stains, and chemicals. While handling paint thinners or when using spray paint, always wear safety glasses or a face shield to protect your eyes.

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Cleaning the Surface:

For New Furniture: If you have new furniture that needs to be painted, clean it with a dust cloth to remove extra dust.

For Old Furniture: If you’re painting old metal furniture, make a solvent by mixing 2 to 3 teaspoons of dish soap into 1 gallon of hot water to thoroughly clean your furniture. This way you will get rid of the dirt, grime, and grease residues on it. Rinse it with clean water and repeat if required. Make sure it is completely dry before you start with your priming process.

Remove Residues:

For Old Furniture: Before starting, analyze the previous paint. Check if it’s chipping or peeling off. It is recommended that you peel off your old paint completely and make the surface as smooth as possible. Labor demanding tools used for this purpose include hand wire brush, sandpaper, or scrapers. You can also invest in power tools for cleaning which can do the job much faster and more precisely. The only shortcoming to these tools is that that they polish the metal so much that paint adhesion becomes difficult.

Switch to 150-grit sandpaper or higher once the rust is mostly gone. Sand the chair until it is completely smooth to the touch. To ensure the chair is clean and ready for priming and painting, wipe it down with a solvent like acetone.

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For New Furniture: Use low grit sandpaper (60-80 grit) to remove rust from the surface. You can also use a hand wire brush along with sanding if your piece of furniture is really rusty. To remove any loose dust, wipe the surface with a damp cloth and allow to dry completely before priming.

Not sure what to do with those awkward empty spaces in your home? Here are some useful tips for picking up the perfect accent furniture.

Repair and Prepare:

To get a perfect finish, one necessary step is to repair the damaged part of the furniture before painting it. You need to sand the area for repairing small holes or dents in your old furniture. After sanding, wipe it clean with mineral spirits and some solvent cleaner. For filling up small dents and holes, use a composite with epoxy and let it dry completely before moving on to the next step.

What comes next is very important and cannot be avoided at all costs. This is vital for new as well as old furniture. Prepare your metal for painting by priming. Picking up a primer for your furniture depends on various factors. For example; the metal that needs to be painted, the environmental conditions that the furniture has to face, desired appearance are to name a few. Galvanized primers and rust converters are two preferred primers. Other than that there are other primers suitable for the type of metal that needs to be painted.

Water-based primers are a big no for metal surfaces as they tend to let the moisture in. Don’t forget to sand the primer smooth after applying two to three coats of the primer.

Bonus tip: Priming immediately after cleaning the surface prevents the furniture from flash rust.

It’s Time to Paint:

For New Furniture: Now you are done with all the preps, it’s time to paint! You can either paint using a brush or spray with your desired paint type and color. We suggest using spray cans as it offers uniform coverage of all the irregular contours of furniture. Before using, shake the can and keep it at a minimum distance of 30 cm from the surface that needs to be painted. Dotting in a steady back and forth motion and slightly overlapping with each stroke ensures uniform results. Let it dry for an hour before applying another coat for richer and even colors.

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For Old Furniture: In the case of painting old metal furniture, we recommend using Rustoleum oil-based Metal Paint or a can of Rustoleum Spray Paint. DIY painters with no spraying experience will find oil-based paint easier to work with, while spray cans provide a better-looking final finish. Lightly sand your furniture with an extra-fine grit sanding pad after the first coat has dried. Dust off the residue and begin applying the second coat after the sanding is finished.

Let it Dry:

Keep your patience if using oil-based paints as they tend to take a lot of time for drying. Water-based paints dry up much faster in comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions – You Asked and We Answered!

What kind of paint do you use to paint metal furniture?

Both water-based and oil-based can be used on metal furniture. Just keep in consideration that they should be metal adhesive. For some people, water-based paints are preferable as they are easy to clean and emit lesser fumes. But if you want a longer-lasting paint finish, then go for oil-based paints. Chalk paints are also a very good option to paint on metal furniture.

What is the best paint to stick to aluminum, iron, and steel?

Steel: The recommended paint that works best on steel are enamels or oil-based paints since they produce a sturdy and hard finish.

Aluminum:  Latex or acrylic paints which are designed specifically for metals are the best options for painting on aluminum. We would not recommend high gloss paints as they tend to draw attention to imperfections of the surface.

Iron:  Exterior grade enamel works best on iron. If you use regular paint, you will not have a very long-lasting effect. Rather, the paint will start chipping off soon. For the finest outcome, use a DTM commonly known as “direct to metal” paint that contains rust protectant.

What type of paint is good for outdoor metal furniture?

Typically oil-based paint is considered good for outdoor metal furniture because of the durability it offers. They have certain components which can offer resistance to stains and rust. Also, oil-based paints provide sustainability against weather damages and help it to last long. To increase the lifespan and appearance of your outdoor furniture, browse through these tips to take care of your outdoor furniture.

Is it better to spray paint or brush paint on metal furniture?

When it comes to painting on metal furniture, your first choice should be spray paints.  Spray pants are very easy to use and provide excellent uniformity. A smooth finish and quick-drying feature make it more advisable. The curves and bends of furniture can be easily reached with spray paint rather than a paintbrush.

Is Chalk Paint good for metal? Can you use Chalk Paint on outdoor metal furniture?

Chalk paint is very versatile and that is the reason for its popularity. Outdoor-specific chalk paints are water, rust, and heat resistant and can be used on any material from metal to fabric. It has a minimal amount of VOCs. So it is environmentally friendly too. Just seal your chalk paint with a lacquer so that water cannot damage your paint job.