No matter the layout, landscaping, or style of décor, your patio is the hub of so many wonderful summer moments: outdoor dinners with the family, backyard cookouts with your friends, and lazy afternoons spent soaking up the sunshine with an ice-cold glass of lemonade in hand. When the weather heats up, your outdoor dining table and chairs definitely get a lot of use. But if your patio furniture is made of metal, whether it’s a wrought-iron or steel-coated set, you might notice the sleek exterior starting to chip away and rust.
Because metal furniture has a painted finish, the outer layer is prone to chipping and cracking, which exposes the metal beneath it to sun, rain, and humidity—and all of these changes can corrode it, according to Katie Lamothe, an expert on behalf of metal refinishing company On Point Powder Coating. While rust is common, it definitely puts a damper on the charming feel of your outdoor setup. Then, there are the structural concerns: Left untreated, rust will spread. “What starts as a small surface blemish can eventually compromise the structural integrity of the furniture,” Lamothe says. “Untreated rust can cause pitting, weakened joints, flaking finishes, staining, and—ultimately—shorten the lifespan of the furniture.”
If your patio furniture is covered in rust, thankfully, you don’t have to drop hundreds of dollars on a whole new set. With a few simple steps, you can bring your furniture back to life. “Many homeowners are surprised to learn that a quality patio set can often be restored to look nearly brand-new for a fraction of the cost of replacement,” Lamothe points out. Of course, if the amount of rust is overwhelming and you’re looking for long-term protection, professional refinishing is a more effective route. But for minor rusty patches on structurally sound furniture, a DIY route can work wonders. Here’s how to make rusty patio furniture look almost new again, according to Lamothe and Brian Shaunfield, the manger of Lowe’s in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
To tackle this home improvement project, you’ll need the right gear. “For light surface rust, wire brushes, sanding discs, rust removers, and rust-converting primers can be effective,” Lamothe says. If you don’t have a wire brush, a scraper will also do the trick. And the same goes for a sanding disc: If you don’t own a power sander, regular sandpaper will work just fine. You’ll also need a metal primer and outdoor UV-resistant spray paint to finish it off.
Step 2: Scrape Away the Rust
With a wire brush or paint scraper, scrape off all the large, loose pieces of chipped paint on your patio furniture. Focus on removing the most noticeable corrosive parts—don’t worry if there’s some light rust left.
Step 3: Sand the Rusty Area
Lamothe explains that “lightly sanding the affected areas” with a sanding block or coarse-grit sandpaper will create a smoother appearance. Use either tool to sand down the rusted spots, especially the coarse, bumpy patches. Give the edges where the paint stops and the bare metal begins some extra attention, feathering the border to remove the rough ridges.
Step 4: Clean the Surface
“Once the rust has been removed, rinse thoroughly and dry the furniture completely to prevent moisture from triggering new rust,” Shaunfield instructs. You can use a damp cloth to wipe down the sanding dust and leftover debris, but if you want to go the extra mile, denatured alcohol will dry faster and give the surface a cleaner feel.
Step 5: Use a Rust Converter
While this step is optional, if there’s still some stubborn rust that won’t seem to budge, a rust converter will turn the rusted parts into non-rusting, paintable surfaces.
Step 6: Apply a Metal Primer
When the rust is pretty much gone, cover the bare metal in a rust-inhibiting metal primer. Make sure to coat the piece evenly, including the hard-to-reach crevices. Let the primer dry for about two to four hours.
Step 7: Add Spray Paint
With the metal-specific spray paint that you chose, hold the can about eight to 10 inches away from the furniture and spray the paint in light, sweeping motions, so it won’t drip. Apply the paint evenly, making sure to coat the back and underside, too. “That combination [of primer and paint] not only removes visible rust, but it also refreshes the furniture's appearance, often making older pieces look nearly new again,” Shaunfield notes. Let the paint fully dry before moving onto the final step.
Step 8: Apply a Sealer
When the paint is totally dry, apply a clear coat of UV-resistant sealer. This protective finisher will prevent your newly painted patio furniture from fading in the sunlight and chipping or rusting from the elements. Again, before using the furniture, make sure the sealer has fully dried.
Lilly Blomquist is the associate editor at The Pioneer Woman, where she writes lifestyle stories across a wide range of topics—including news, entertainment, holidays, food, and more.
