Painting Metal Mesh Patio Furniture

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Things You'll Need

  • Plastic tarp

  • Wire brush

  • 400- to 600-grade steel wool

  • Disposable gloves

  • Safety glasses

  • Rag

  • Mineral spirits

  • Exterior grade spray primer for metal

  • Exterior grade spray paint for metal

Repaint metal furniture to restore its appearance.

Metal mesh patio furniture pieces are more durable than plastic or wood furniture and can even last through multiple generations. However, one drawback they have is the paint can peel and chip over time, which allows moisture penetration and the development of rust. If your metal mesh patio furniture is looking a little worn, all you need is a little spray paint to restore it to a beautiful part of your outdoor décor.

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Step 1

Remove all cushions from the patio furniture and move the pieces to the center of the yard. Spread a plastic tarp on the ground and center the furniture on top of it.

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Step 2

Scrub all surfaces of the mesh furniture with a wire brush using firm back and forth motions to detach any flaking paint and rust spots.

Step 3

Set the brush aside and repeat the scrubbing process with a 600- to 400-grade piece of steel wool, which smooths the rough surfaces down.

Step 4

Put on safety glasses and disposable gloves and pour 3 to 4 tablespoons of mineral spirits on a rag. Wipe all surfaces of the metal mesh with the rag to remove oil and grease.

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Step 5

Shake up a can of exterior primer designed for metal. Hold the nozzle of the spray can 12 inches from the top of one of the furniture pieces and spray it in sideways motions overlapping each stroke by at least 2 inches. Continue painting downward until you reach the bottom of the piece and then perform the same procedure on the front.

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Step 6

Prime all additional metal mesh patio pieces in the same manner and then wait for the primer to dry.

Step 7

Shake up a spray paint that is designed for metal and paint the metal mesh using the same side-to-side motions you used with the primer. Do not try to cover all of the primer the first time.

Step 8

Wait until the first coat of paint is dry and apply a second coat.

Tip

Wait 24 hours before replacing any cushions on the mesh patio furniture.

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