How to Paint Rusty Metal Furniture

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Here’s the easy to follow steps for How to Paint Rusty Metal Furniture. You can save it from the junk yard and make it beautiful again!

This little picnic table is so sweet. Who wouldn’t want to save it? Especially when it is so much easier than you’d think to repair and paint rusty metal furniture.

This table had been rusting away at my Grandma’s house for years. My dad thought it was beyond rescue. So, he added it to his scrap heap. But, I spotted it on a recent visit and realized I could save it pretty easily.

I had just a few days and limited tools, but it was still a quick and easy job. So, don’t worry, you can do it too.  Everything you’ll need can be found online or at your local hardware store.

The hardest part is scrubbing all of that rust away. But a little scrubbing isn’t too bad, right. Totally worth it when you see your new and improved metal furniture. So, let’s get to it!

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Cost to Repair and Paint Rusty Metal Furniture

This little table was rescued for about $30 in paint. I’d imagine a full-sized table or larger piece of outdoor furniture can be rescued for about $50 or $60. So much better than buying new furniture!

How Long Will this DIY Take?

This rusty metal furniture makeover can be easily done in a weekend, including dry time for paint and poly.

Materials Needed

• For Metal Repair and Paint
  • Stiff Bristle Scrub Brush
  • Dish soap mixed with warm water
  • Bondo, if the holes in the metal are big enough
  • Rust-Oleum Rusty Metal Primer
  • Rust-Oleum Universal Paint & Primer In One, I used this one
• For Wood Repair and Finish
  • Wood, cut to size of old wood
  • Drill, sander with 120-grit sandpaper, and possibly a saw
  • Minwax’s Helmsman Spar Urethane, Clear Satin

Steps to Clean and Paint Metal Outdoor Furniture

Step One

Remove and discard the old wood. If the old screws or bolts are rusted too much, you may need to cut them off with an appropriate saw and blade.

Step Two

Grab that stiff brush and bucket of soapy water (Dawn works fine) and scrub every inch of that metal. Remove as much rust as possible. It’s really important to remove the loose and flaky bits before you paint rusty metal furniture. Then rinse it clean.

Step Three

If you have holes in the metal to repair, use something like Bondo. It dries very hard and is used by mechanics in auto repair.

I have a tutorial for how to use Bondo to fix damaged wood furniture and the steps are the same with metal. Just mix and apply. I didn’t need to patch any holes this time.

Optional: If you want the metal to look perfectly smooth again, you can use a wire wheel on a drill OR an angle grinder to smooth the rusted metal.

Step Four

Paint rusty metal furniture time! Completely spray the frame with the Rust-oleum Rusty Metal Primer. Then use the Paint & Primer in One Rust-oleum to give your furniture a new look. I used 4 or 5 cans total. Be sure to follow instructions and drying guidelines for the spray.

Need to Repair Wood on Outdoor Tables Too?

Cut your wood to match the length of the old boards. You can always ask your local Home Depot or Lowe’s to cut it for you, if they offer that service.

I normally would have used Pressure Treated Lumber. But my dad grabbed normal Common Board for this table. That still works, you just have to be sure to seal the wood with an exterior grade sealer.

Sand the boards on all sides with 120-grit sandpaper. Drill holes for the new bolts. Use the frame or old boards as a guide for placement. Make sure to remember where each board goes. The holes may not line up to each spot.

Since I was using Common or Whiteboard outside, I was sure to apply 4 good coats of a strong exterior urethane. I’ve used this urethane on lots of outdoor projects, like my DIY Backyard Bench. And it holds up really well in this killer Texas sun.

Attach the boards with the new hardware and you’re good to go.

That’s it! That’s how easy it is to repair and paint rusty metal furniture!

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Looking for more easy Home Improvement Projects? Here’s how I clean and whiten my grout when it starts looking too grungy.

Here’s How to Cut a Dresser in Half to make 2 new pieces of furniture. 

Check out the incredible makeover on this Office Chair I rescued from the curb.

And this DIY L-Shaped Backyard Bench can give your backyard style that’s also super easy to clean.

You might want to check out this DIY Outdoor Sofa from 2×4 Wood too.

Or this DIY for How to Restain a Door without Removing it!

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Feeling inspired? Now you know how to paint rusty metal furniture. Have fun and let me know if you have questions. Or post pictures of your work and tag Abbotts At Home on FB, I’d love to see it!