Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
How to Refinish Aluminum Patio Furniture
How to Refinish Aluminum Patio Furniture. Thanks to a renewed obsession with all things retro, aluminum patio furniture is more popular than ever. Throw in a modern paint color like Green Apple or Sweet Tomato, both from Rustoleum, and you will be adding a conversation piece to your garden. Dig out that old rusted aluminum patio furniture and start...
Thanks to a renewed obsession with all things retro, aluminum patio furniture is more popular than ever. Throw in a modern paint color like Green Apple or Sweet Tomato, both from Rustoleum, and you will be adding a conversation piece to your garden. Dig out that old rusted aluminum patio furniture and start painting.
Things You'll Need
Garden hose with attached sprayer
Sand paper
Spray primer
Spray paint
Outdoor throw pillows
Thoroughly clean your aluminum patio furniture with your garden hose nozzle turned to its highest pressure setting. Dry with towels or allow the furniture to dry completely before proceeding.
Remove existing finish. Paint a thick layer of paint stripper onto the aluminum furniture and allow it to penetrate for 20 to 30 minutes. Use a scraper to remove as much original paint as possible. Use sand paper to remove paint from any stubborn areas.
Remove rust from aluminum furniture. Most rust can be sanded off the furniture with medium grit sand paper. If your furniture is extremely rusted, spray phosphoric acid on the furniture and allow it to dry, usually 20 to 30 minutes. Go over the furniture with a steel bristled brush to remove the remaining rust. Rinse the furniture with water to remove the acid and the dust from sanding.
Spray on primer in a back and forth motion. Slightly overlap each stroke for full coverage. Use two coats of primer, allowing each to dry completely.
Paint using a spray paint formulated for metal. Krylon and Rustoleum make products for this application in a number of colors. Spray paint is available in both satin and gloss finishes. Allow paint to dry for 24 hours.
Tips & Warnings
To add a little extra flair to your patio set, use a complimentary color of paint to add a design using a stencil. Stencils can be purchased at most craft stores. Cover the portion of the chair you don't wish to paint. Use low-tack tape to secure the stencil and spray paint your chosen design. Allow paint to dry before removing stencil.
Place some new pillows, made from outdoor fabric, on your chairs to complete the transformation. Outdoor fabrics are made to withstand sun exposure and normal outdoor conditions. However, you should move your cushions indoors during rain or snow storms.
