Giving your garden furniture a lick of paint won’t just make it look great, it will make it last longer, too. But it’s important to pick the right product. Dedicated wood and metal paints can help your furniture withstand the weather and keep its colour, so follow our expert advice.
Decorators Guide: the best paint for garden furniture
Transform your outside space by giving it a spruce up. This guide to the best paint for metal garden furniture and outdoor wood, plus tips on how to prep and paint, will provide a professional finish and extend the life of your table and chairs for years to come.
Whats the best paint for metal garden furniture?
For any garden furniture, you need paint that’s durable so it’s less likely to chip, peel or fade. Which you choose depends on the look you’re after. Gloss will give you a super-shiny finish; satin, a softer sheen; and eggshell, an almost-matt effect.
Our [link to metal paints] provides excellent coverage and they’re easy to use, so – even if it’s your first painting job – you’ll achieve a finish to be proud of. For a super-speedy result, try our [link to each range] Available in three colours, these will be touch-dry in just one hour. Even better, as they’re water-based, they’re kinder on the environment and make for an easier clean-up job.
Alternatively, try our [links to more products] These solvent-based paints give a fabulous finish in just one application, so you won’t need an undercoat if you’re going over a painted surface (but don’t be tempted to skip the prep – see below). If you’re painting bare metal furniture, however, priming is essential.
For a shiny white finish, there’s also our [and link to non drip] Specially formulated so it doesn’t run off the brush, it’s the fail-safe painting solution.
Once you’ve chosen your paint, it’s time to get started. Check the weather (painting garden furniture is a job that’s much easier to do outside), then follow these simple steps.
ff your heating and the valves on the radiator. Once the radiator is cold, get your room ready. You want to be in a well-ventilated space (if you choose a solvent-based paint) so open a window, then clear out or protect the furniture with dust sheets and put on some old clothes.
You'll need
- Old clothes, gloves and a mask
- Wire brush, scraper and warm soapy water
- Paint thinner
- Coarse sandpaper
- Clean cloths
- Dust sheet
- Primer
- Paint
- Paintbrushes
Step1: Clean
- If you’re painting old metal furniture, give it a good scrub with warm, soapy water to remove dirt and flaking paint, using a wire brush or a scraper for any stubborn debris, then leave to dry.
- Wipe the surface with a bit of paint thinner or methylated spirit to get rid of grease. (Never clean with white spirit as it leaves a greasy residue.)
Step 2: Prep
- Replace any broken bits (hinges, feet etc).
- Sand the furniture with sandpaper (or an electric sander if you have one) to ready the surface for painting.
- Wipe clean and dry with a cloth.
- Protect your painting area with dust sheets.
Step 3: Prime
Priming not only protects against rust and corrosion, it also provides a good foundation for your top coat. For an easy solution, try our quick-drying Multi-surface Primer and Undercoat that does two jobs in one.
Step 4: Paint
- Before you start painting, read the back of the can for useful info: whether to stir your paint; how many coats you’ll need; recommended brushes. Remember that synthetic brushes are best for water-based paint, natural ones for oil-based. You might find a smaller brush (1” or 2”), or one with angled bristles, useful for getting into the nooks and crannies of a metal chair, for example.
- Apply your first coat.
- If you’re painting more than one coat, lightly sand the surface once the first coat is dry. Wipe clean and leave to air-dry before going in for the second.
- Leave to dry.
What's the best paint for outdoor wood furniture?
The paints listed above are also perfect for wood so, whether you’re painting an entirely wooden piece or revamping furniture that combines the two materials (a wooden chair with metal legs, for example), they’re the ideal choice. Paint chosen? Let’s get started…
You'll need
- Scraper
- Natural bristle (not wire) scrubbing brush and warm soapy water
- Knotting solution (optional)
- Coarse sandpaper
- Clean cloths
- Dust sheets
- Primer
- Paint
- Paintbrush and/or foam roller and tray
Step 1: Clean
Left outside in all weathers, wooden garden furniture can be susceptible to moss and mildew. If yours is looking past its best, give it a good wash and brush up before you begin. If the piece is very mildewy, use a fungicidal wash to stop any mould growing back. Allow to dry thoroughly.
Step 2: Prep
- Treat unpainted bare wood with a transparent knotting solution if you want to cover up knots and darker areas.
- Sand the furniture all over.
- Wipe clean and dry with a cloth.
- Protect your painting area with dust sheets.
Step 3: Prime
If you’re touching up an already painted piece of furniture, you don’t need to prime (though it will give an extra layer of protection). Any bare or new wooden surface will need a coat of suitable primer, such as our Wood & MDF Primer & Undercoat. Apply evenly and allow to dry. .
Step 4: Paint
- Apply your paint, lightly sanding between each coat if you’re doing more than one. Using a paintbrush is best for fiddly areas (chair legs and backs, for example) but for the larger, flatter sections of your furniture, a small foam roller can speed up the process.
- Allow to dry.
- Throw on your favourite garden cushions and cloths… and invite the neighbours round!
Step 5: Clean up
For tips on cleaning your paint tools, read our How to clean rollers and brushes article [link to new article]
