Check out this great patio update idea!
Step 1: Prep Your Area for Paint
Protect your work area with drop cloths or tarps and painter’s tape and be sure to protect anything close by in case overspray is caught by the wind or if the paint drips.
Helpful Tip
Set up a large piece of cardboard, lightweight wood, or hang a drop cloth or sheet as a shield against overspray that might blow onto other objects. Place the “shield” on the side opposite of the one that you’re painting. If painting in a garage, make sure the door is open, your space is very well ventilated and wear proper mask protection
Step 2: Clean & Prep Furniture
Clean your furniture (table and chairs) with a vinegar and water solution (50/50) or use water with a mild detergent or a commercial mold remover and a scrub brush or rag to remove dirt and grime, mold or mildew. Wash or hose off and cleaning solution.
Lightly sand the surface you’re going to paint to “raise” the surface for better paint adhesion. If there are rusty areas, remove any loose rust using a stiff wire brush. Paint scrapers come in handy as well.
Clean off sanding and rust dust before painting.
Safety Alert!
Wear a tight-fitting dust mask, safety goggles, and appropriate clothing that covers your skin while you sand and scrape away paint.
If you have rusty metal furniture, look at the Best Ways to Paint Wrought Iron Furniture project for tips on cleaning and painting.
Step 3: Apply Primer
Spray your furniture with primer. Allow the primer to dry thoroughly for at least 24 hours. Primer does not always feel wet or tacky before it is completely dry.
A spraypaint grip can be make spraypainting large projects easier.
Helpful Tip
After using aerosol primer (or paint), tip the can upside down and depress the nozzle for a few seconds until paint stops coming out. Next, wipe off the nozzle with a cloth. This prevents the nozzle from being clogged the next time you use the can.
Step 4: Apply Paint
Your True Value store can help you choose the best spray paint or brush on paint for your surface. To apply spray paint, hold the can about 8 to 12 inches from the object you’re painting and keep the can moving to avoid excess paint that can drip. Several light coats will get you a better finish than a thicker layer of paint. Let the paint dry for at least 24 hours before using.
Helpful Tips
For best results, apply a second coat of paint within 1 hour of applying the first coat.
Step 5: Apply Stencil & Clearcoat
Buy a stencil or for a more custom design, check out this project to get ideas to create your own stencil
Lay down you stencil and protect areas you don’t want painted.
Using a stiff short haired brush or a mini foam paint roller, paint into the openings. Once the stencil is dry, clearcoat the surface twice to protect your design.
Helpful Tip
Test your paint on some heavy paper or cardboard to make sure your paint is a good consistency for your stencil, not to thin.
Project Shopping List
Work Surface & Personal Protection
- Dust mask
- Safety goggles
- Drop cloths or Tarp
- Painter’s tape
- Large piece of cardboard
Cleaning & Surface Prep
- Choice of cleaner:
- Vinegar
- Mild detergent
- Outdoor Cleaner
- All-Purpose Cleaners
- Commercial mold remover
- Scrub brush
- Rag or Paper Towel
- Sandpaper
- Stiff wire brush (for rust)
- Paint scraper & Rust dissolver (optional)