How to spray paint metal chairs

In this post, I will guide you through the whole method to spray painting your metal chairs whose color was dull or scratched so that bare metal can be seen through the naked eye.

In order to fix that we will teach you the complete method in a step-by-step guide which will help you to achieve the results you want.

Newbies should follow each step explained in this guide to get a shiny and perfect finish.

There are so many great ideas for rejuvenating old household items and turning them into something new.

How to spray paint metal chairs is one of those simple, easy DIYs that can give them a makeover in any number of fun and exciting ways.

I recently had a few metal chairs in my office that needed some TLC makeovers to spruce up the place.

But I also wanted to breathe new life into them by simply spray painting them with color! And the results came out fantastic.


Prepare the area

To thoroughly clean the chairs, wipe them down the chairs with soap and water. If any dirt or stickiness remains, spray them with a mixture of water and a 3-percent hydrogen peroxide solution.

And then follow up with a paper towel to get everything off. For easier cleaning, you can use something like Micro-Pore to really take care of those surface stains.

The next step would be to wipe it off with soap and water.

If there is rust building up on the chair or if any old paint is falling off in chunks, you can use an industrial wire brush to collect these pieces with a scraper attached.

These similar methods can be used to paint bar stools at home

Sand the surface of metal chairs

Sand it down. Whether your furniture has rust stains or is perfectly smooth, applying a scratch on the surface will give the new coat something to latch onto, so get sanding.

You can skip this step if your furniture is already worn from use and slick with polish, simply smooth it down before painting.

If you don’t know the sanding process very well then you can follow this guide on sanding metal.

Prime the chair surface before painting

It’s probably a good idea to use a primer and paint that are designed for your outdoor wooden furniture if you want it to stay nice and look new all year round.

So, in order to prime, it’s really important to finish with the underside of the chairs first. Make sure you’re holding the can 6-8 inches away from the surface.

Then apply a sweeping motion from side to side, slightly overlapping each stripe until the entire chair is covered.

spraying metal chairs with spray paint

Now after your chair is all taped up and dry, you are ready to paint them! paint in your light coats, and wait 30 seconds to a minute between coats.

Use painter’s tape around the edges of the furniture on the bottom to make sure it stays contained while they are drying.

Let it fully dry before moving, if you feel that rain is coming or there may be pools of water near where you will be setting your chairs outside.

You can also spray varnish or use an outdoor sealant over your finished project once it is fully dried to give it some extra protection.

Rub-down the surface

Once your chairs have dried completely, use a microfiber cloth to rub down any rough patches or build-up.

If you have fine sandpaper, lightly go over the chairs. This extra step will give you a super smooth finish!

Start spraying metal chair with spray paint

In order to prepare your chairs for a fresh coat of paint, opening the underside up and spraying it with primer will help smooth out the surface so it’s even.

Take the primer can 6-8″ away from the surface and spray using a side-to-side motion light enough to prevent drips.

Once you’ve done this once, place the top of your chair on its side and give it another coat.

Making sure you do these in light coats so that you do not end up with drips or an uneven color at any points throughout those ten minutes.

After your paint has dried for half an hour, start painting on your actual color using the same stirring process as before;

The paint will start to dry within 10 minutes of beginning application – wait this long in between coats until all surfaces are evenly covered.

What is the best way to paint metal chairs?

The best way to paint metal chairs is to first clean and prep the surface by removing any rust or old paint, then applying a rust inhibitor if necessary.

Next, apply a primer specifically formulated for metal surfaces, and let it dry completely.

Finally, apply several thin coats of paint, using a brush or roller, and allow each coat to dry before applying the next.

Be sure to use paint that is suitable for metal surfaces and to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Do you have to sand metal before spray painting?

It is not always necessary to sand metal before spray painting, but it is recommended in order to achieve the best possible finish.

Sanding the metal will help to create a smooth surface and remove any rust, dirt, or oil that may be present. It will also help the primer and paint adhere better.

If the surface is in good condition, degrease and clean with a detergent or rust converter, then use a metal-specific primer. This will be enough for a smooth finish.

If the surface has rust or roughness, a light sanding with fine-grit sandpaper can help to prepare the surface. After sanding, clean the metal thoroughly to remove any dust or debris.

Keep in mind that sanding will create dust, so it’s important to wear a mask and work in a well-ventilated area.

How do you prepare a metal chair for painting?

To prepare a metal chair for painting, you should follow these steps:

  • Clean the chair: Use a wire brush or sandpaper to remove any loose paint or rust from the surface. Clean the chair with a degreaser or a mixture of water and mild detergent to remove any grease or dirt. Rinse the chair thoroughly and allow it to dry completely.
  • Sand the chair: If the chair has any rough spots or areas of rust, use fine-grit sandpaper to sand down the surface. This will help to create a smooth surface for the paint to adhere to.
  • Remove any remaining rust: If there is still rust present, use a rust converter or a rust inhibitor to neutralize it. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application.
  • Apply a primer: Apply a metal-specific primer to the chair, using a paintbrush or roller. Be sure to cover the entire surface, including any hard-to-reach areas. Allow the primer to dry completely according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Tape off any areas that don’t need to be painted: Use painter’s tape to cover any areas that you don’t want to paint, such as hardware or moving parts.
  • Painting: Once the surface is clean, dry, rust-free, and primed, you can apply paint. Use paint that is suitable for metal surfaces and apply several thin coats, allowing each coat to dry completely before applying the next.
  • Final step: Once the paint is dry, you can remove the tape and reattach any hardware or moving parts.

It’s important to work in a well-ventilated area and wear protective gear, such as a mask and gloves, during the preparation and painting process.


FAQ’s of How to spray paint metal chairs

Yes, you can easily spray paint directly on metal surfaces. However, there are some things to keep in mind. 1. Ensure that your paint is suitable for metal. 2. Clean the surface thoroughly. 3. Make sure it is completely dried and cured before you paint.

The purpose of priming is to protect the object from corrosion, prevents paint from flaking and adheres it to the surface of the object. Preventing spray paint from chipping on metal surface is all about how you use the primer. You need to apply a primer before applying a top coat. The primer will fill the rough edges of the object and prevent peeling.  If you do it right, you should be able to enjoy your spray paint job for a long time.

You would need an acrylic latex paint. You can use it over the metal, but remember that it may not be as durable as it would be on wood. An even better option would be to use it as a coating for painted metal chairs. In this case, you would need to paint the chairs before applying the paint. An acrylic latex paint would be the best choice here, too. It will not only protect the metal chairs from rust, but it will also make the chairs look great. I’ve been using a Rust-Oleum spray enamel for the last five years, and it keeps the paint on my chairs nice and shiny, plus I’m able to touch it up as I need to and it never looks old or worn. I’ve always been able to find the Rust-Oleum brand at the hardware store and it is inexpensive. I also like that the spray cans are made of recycled materials and are not harsh on the environment.

It is possible to spray paint metal without primer. But without primer, the paint will peel off faster. The paint will last longer with primer, especially when the metal is an unpainted surface. If your metal surface is painted, then it should not require primer anymore. Some people can make it work without primer, but it will not last as long.

Conclusion on How to spray paint metal chairs

Here it is peeps! The complete guide on how to spray paint metal chairs for your home or for your client with a great finish and look which will calm your eyes.

Newcomers in this field should follow each step explained in this guide in order to achieve the best look without making any mistakes on the surface while painting.

Still, if you got any questions in your mind then just let me know in the comments section and I will answer those and try to clear your thoughts.

You can use this idea to make new patio furniture for your house, wooden planters for the garden, or even a pendulum wall clock.

This is the great part about woodworking – you can be as creative and innovative as you want with it.

Matthew Edward

Matthew Edward is a professional painter who loves to paint and wants to share useful tips and tricks which he had learned in many years of experience in painting. He also used many products that can be used for painting he has tried and tested each and every product to give an unbias opinion about it in his review. This blog is very useful for those newbies who want to learn painting without making mistakes.

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