I love these old metal chairs. These green and white ones above aren't the old, old ones that you find in antique stores and flea markets. These were bought several years ago from Restoration Hardware. But, like all metal chairs that sit out in the elements for a while, they show their wear and tear after a while. The chipping paint wasn't the bothersome part, though. It was the color. The pale green no longer worked for me and I wanted something more dramatic. Which, of course, like everything else leads to thoughts of paint.
Repurposing these for our front porch wasn't difficult at all. The prep was the most time-consuming (and boring.) The whole project took about an hour and a half. Not bad.
If you're going to tackle a similar project, a few things to keep in mind. First, clean your chairs thoroughly to remove grime and other unwanted stuff on the surface. If you're dealing with terribly rusty chairs, do a little light sanding w/a medium grit sandpaper (150) and use one of the many rust primers available. Also, work in the shade. Enamel spray paint doesn't react well to sun while it's wet and drying. Finally, do your project outside or in a garage w/the door open for ventilation and make sure there's little or no wind.
After the chair is cleaned, tape off the parts that you don't want painted with painters tape and newspaper. If you're painting the entire chair one color, you're in luck and your prep will be even easier and faster.
Repurposing these for our front porch wasn't difficult at all. The prep was the most time-consuming (and boring.) The whole project took about an hour and a half. Not bad.
If you're going to tackle a similar project, a few things to keep in mind. First, clean your chairs thoroughly to remove grime and other unwanted stuff on the surface. If you're dealing with terribly rusty chairs, do a little light sanding w/a medium grit sandpaper (150) and use one of the many rust primers available. Also, work in the shade. Enamel spray paint doesn't react well to sun while it's wet and drying. Finally, do your project outside or in a garage w/the door open for ventilation and make sure there's little or no wind.
After the chair is cleaned, tape off the parts that you don't want painted with painters tape and newspaper. If you're painting the entire chair one color, you're in luck and your prep will be even easier and faster.
Use a high quality, high gloss spray paint in the color of your choice (I used a Rustoleum product). Best to use a few light coats than one heavy. Enamel spray paint can sag and look really unprofessional if it's applied too thickly all at once. Let each coat dry thoroughly. Finally, remove tape and paper and admire your work.
I love the new look of these new chairs. I've paired them with one of our Summer Camp tables which, like the chairs, was painted in a color I could no longer use. The same paint as I used on the chairs gave this table a whole new look. Black enamel high gloss paint has a look all of its own. Try it.
No comments:
Post a Comment