How to Paint your Indoor OR Outdoor Metal Furniture | Small Metal Table Fall Makeover
Hi, creative #sifamily! Last week was all about adding new metal legs to update your furniture… today is all about painting old-rusty-crusty-ones! If you have indoor or outdoor metal furniture that’s seen better days, the simplest way to breathe new life into it is with a little paint. This makeover took me less than an hour if you exclude dry time! Here’s a simple step by step that can transform ANY metal piece…
And before we start, if you’re new to the #siblog it’s Furniture Fixer Upper Day! On the fourth Thursday of every month, I join my crazy talented FFU Crew for 4X the fun. I’ll be sharing links to their makeovers at the bottom of this post!
My sister found this table in her neighborhood on our bulk pick-up day.
Super cute. Super sturdy. Just looking a little dark and dreary.
I sprayed a little Gold Digger and a few pumpkins for good measure and voila…
Instead of this table looking spooky and scary, now it looks updated and welcoming!
THIS POST IS SPONSORED/CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I USE. YOU CAN SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE HERE.
SOURCE LIST
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- Metal Table – SALVAGED
- Sandpaper | Shop Towels
- Wire Brush | Sponge
- Rust-Olem Rust Performer
- Husky Spray Gun
- Metallic Gold Digger
- Gator Hide (topcoat)
HOW TO PAINT METAL FURNITURE
Whether your working with indoor or outdoor metal furniture, the process is the same — however, products may differ.
- Clean your piece and let it completely dry
- Rough the metal using low grit sandpaper. 60-80 grit. This will help remove any rust. If your piece is really rusty, a wire brush will be helpful along with sanding.
- Wipe all the particles off and clean well.
- Give it a coat of good adhesive rust blocking primer.
- Sand primer smooth after 1 or 2 coats.
- Spray or brush-on the paint in the color of your choice. It may require more than one coat.
- Spray or brush on an appropriate topcoat depending on if it is outdoor or indoor metal furniture.
I used this spray on primer and then used my paint gun to apply the gold paint. Because this will be an outdoor table, I also sprayed 3 coats of this water-repellant topcoat which is an indoor-outdoor poly. I love the gold sheen and the added durability that it will hold up in unpredictable weather.
If you don’t have a sprayer or don’t want to use a brush on method, Rust-Oleum also sells this paint and primer in one to cover metal furniture. I’ve used it for many projects and it works really well. It also comes in some impressive colors like Aged Copper, Gun Metal Gray, and Dark Steel to name a few.
And now for some FURNITURE FIXER UPPER FUN!
Below are their BEFORE photos – visit the links underneath to see the amazing AFTERS and to learn how they did it! I’m heading over to take a peek right now myself! x
1. Girl In The Garage
2. Petticoat JUNKtion
3. Confessions Of A Serial DIYer
4. Salvaged Inspirations (So happy you’re here!!)
Here’s another look at the before and after…
LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS PAINTED FALL METAL TABLE MAKEOVER. ALSO, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR TIPS FEEL FREE TO CHIME IN… I ALWAYS LOVE HEARING FROM YOU.
Thanks for reading. 🙂
Wishing you a beautiful day filled with inspiration and Happy Painting friends!
Denise XO
RELATED POSTS::
Pin Legs Apothecary Cabinet Makeover
Adding Metal Legs to Furniture
Metal Planter Box | 1 Hour Makeover
Roadside Metal Patio Set (One of my 1st posts!)
Salvaged Trunk w DIY Angled Legs
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I have a stainless steel work table with two shelves and I’m going to put a live edge on the top and drop in two shelves of wood on the bottom shelves.. I want to know is there any way to change the color of the stainless steel to like a deep gray or black do you have any idea or any tips? Thanks so much for any help is greatly appreciated.
Hi Linda! This sounds like an amazing project! The easiest way would be to buy some Rustoleum Spray Paint for Metal and spray the steelwork table. Just follow the directions on the can and spray even THIN coats and it should turn out lovely!
Excellent post
Thank you!
Hi Denise! This looks great! I have a similar project but would like to use a paint brush instead (vs. Spray). Do you have recommendations on how to go about this? THANKS!
Hi. Its beautiful! What color spray did you use. I want to use exactly the same color. Thanks
Thanks April! I used this Moonshine Metallic in Gold Digger.
If it’s an indoor table with no rust, do you still recommend sanding it down before painting?
Perfect for fall and upcoming holidays too. I agree, your sister is going to come back and snatch it away! I painted lawn furniture last summer. And a couple of places ate chipping off I’m going to give mine a touch up using your advice. What, if any, product do you use to clean your spray gun And do you have a video on that? Silly me….I’m visual and take things in better when I can watch. Happy end of the month. Can’t believe it’s time for the holidays.
I can’t believe it either! 2020 has been quite the year but it’s still just flown by, hasn’t it?! I use water-based products with my paint gun so I use water and a brush to clean it out. And for sure. I’m getting more and more requests about spraying so I’ll be sure to do something for you. 🙂
What a fabulous refresh, Denise! I see we both had gold on our mind this month! XO
I thought the very same thing when I saw your table… great minds!😉🤗
Beautiful job, as always! Can you tell me, when you spray on a topcoat, do you add water like you would with paint? I’’ve never sprayed anything before and wanted to try spraying a tabletop with Dixie Belle clear coat and then Gator Hide. Do they need to be diluted? Thanks!
Thanks Jackie! I’ve been thinning DB Satin Clear Coat when I spray, maybe by about 5-10%(that’s usually my go-to sheen) but I don’t thin the Gator Hide at all. Gator Hide sprays beautifully and doesn’t need thinning in my spray gun. That said, every gun and tip may spray a little differently so testing how it works for you is best. 🙂
Thank you for being so responsive and helpful!!
Anytime! 🙂
Fantastic! Another great idea and very easy to accomplish. Thank you again!
Thanks Barbara! XOXO
Awesome job!!
Thanks, Beth! 🙂
What a difference, it’s beautiful, Denise! You took it from being an outdoor table to a gorgeous interior table.
Thanks my friend! It really could be used indoors too, right?! 🙂
This looks great, Denise, and it looks so pretty that you could totally use it indoors too! XOXO
Thanks my friend! And I didn’t think of using it indoors but I guess you could!
Hi Denise. What a great find. I’m amazed your sister spotted that gem amongst all the other trash. You transformed a boring metal table into a beautiful show piece. Ive been searching for outdoor furniture this past summer and can tell you that this table would easily sell for $100-150+. I bet your sister is going to want it back:)
It was a great find, wasn’t it?! I asked her why she didn’t grab the table too but it only had 3 legs. 🙁 And ya, when I was searching for color inspiration for this table, Wayfair had gold outdoor pieces starting at $150!