March 22nd, 2022 by Sarah Miles

Garden furniture looking a little faded, flaky, and fatigued? Don’t assume you have to throw it out and buy new; all it may need is a lick of paint to get it looking fantastic again! Here’s how to makeover your outdoor chairs and tables to make the most of them.

Preparation is Key

As with pretty much any DIY job, success hinges on proper preparation. Creating the right environment and prepping the item itself will pay huge dividends in terms of the end result.

You don’t want to make one thing better by ruining something else so cover up anything you don’t want to get paint on. Certainly, this will mean the ground/floor, but it also pays to cover any upright surfaces such as walls, fences, or buildings – especially if you plan to use a paint sprayer. Use dust sheets liberally and make sure they’re clean as you don’t want to be picking up dirt from the sheets as you paint.

Next, prepare the furniture itself. Before you think about applying any paint, just check to see whether any repairs are necessary and sort these out first. This way, it doesn’t matter if you scratch or chip it a bit as that will get covered up.

Wooden furniture: smooth over the surfaces with sandpaper to get rid of rough patches and remove any flaky paint. If it’s particularly patchy, or you want to get it done quickly, you may want to use an electric sander. Sanding will give you a better finish and also allow the paint to adhere more effectively. Once sanded, brush off the dust and debris with a dry brush and wipe over to leave a smooth, clean surface.

Metal furniture: metal items can also be sanded to remove loose paint but also treat any rust patches. Remove as much as you can with a wire brush or sandpaper or use a sander or drill with a sanding attachment. You can also apply a rust neutraliser to stop it rusting further but you’ll need to wait at least 48 hours before painting. Once prepared, clean over to remove particles and allow to dry.

Get Painting!

Once you have completed your preparations, you are ready to start painting. You have a couple of options here: using a brush or a sprayer. A brush is less messy and a better option if you want to paint sections in different colours. A sprayer is much faster and likely to give a more even finish. It’s really a personal choice.

Use the right paint: one thing you most definitely need to check is that the paint you’re using is suitable for outdoor items and that it will go over the surface you’re painting (most will be suitable for wood, but you need a specific type of paint for metal).

If using a brush: don’t load too much paint onto your brush and work across the item methodically, brushing in one direction. Allow to dry completely before starting on the next layer. (It’s better to build up thinner layers than apply too thickly).

If using a paint sprayer: test the sprayer on some paper or card first to check things like paint consistency and nozzle accuracy. Work across the item and keep a consistent distance (the closer you are, the thicker it will coat). Make sure you move around the item rather than staying still and fanning the paint. As with a brush, build up light layers.

Top Tips!

• If painting outside, keep an eye on the weather forecast and don’t paint if rain is likely, Breeze can also wreak havoc on paint spraying and you could end up painting much more than you intended!
• If painting indoors, make sure everything is covered well and that the space is well ventilated
• It’s always a good idea to test an inconspicuous area first if trying out a new colour. Just in case it goes on differently to the colour on the swatch
• Keep a damp sponge or cloth handy as you paint to correct any mistakes as you go while it’s wet
• Take before and after photos so you can marvel at your handiwork!