If you're thinking about replacing your metal outdoor furniture, you should consider saving quite a bit of money and instead refinishing it yourself. Though it may seem more convenient to get rid of your current outdoor furniture and replace it, taking the time to refinish your metal garden furniture yourself should only take a few days, will save you money, and will pay off when you see how much easier it is than you may have initially expected it to be. The key is to have the right materials:

Tools You Will Need

· Paint Remover

· Safety Glasses

· Work Gloves

· Dremel, or other small rotary/grinding tool

· Sandpaper (60/120/320 grit)

· Liquid Metal Filler

· Auto Glazing Compound

· Auto Primer

· Paint

· Clear Coat Finishing Spray

Step 1

Remove any existing paint from the furniture using the paint stripper.

Step 2

Use your Dremel to smooth over any rough spots, pits, or rust in the metal, being sure to wear safety glasses and heavy-duty work gloves. Avoid creating a weak spot or even breaking the metal by stopping at any one spot for too long, as this will undoubtedly wear it away.

Step 3

Sand off any remaining paint and rough edges using the 60-grit sandpaper. If you had no need for the Dremel tool, then simply use the 60-grit sandpaper to smooth over rough spots. For an even smoother finish, use the 120-grit sandpaper

Step 4

Fill in any holes or depressions caused by rust corrosion using the liquid metal filler. Keep in mind that you will be sanding these spots smooth, so don't worry if the filler is not exactly even or level with the surface of the metal.

Step 5

Fill in tiny spots and flaws using a very thin layer of the auto glazing compound.

Step 6

After you've finished applying the liquid metal and the glazing compound, allow the furniture to dry completely. Glazing compound typically takes about 30 minutes to dry, whereas liquid metal can often take several hours to fully dry.

Step 7

Smooth over any rough edges or raised spots from the liquid metal filler or glazing compound using the 60-grit or 120-grit sandpaper.

Step 8

Apply the auto primer onto the furniture. Spray at least two to three coats onto the metal, allowing it to dry completely between coats. If you want to speed up this process, feel free to use a hairdryer.

Step 9

Do one last gentle sanding after giving the furniture a good final once-over, looking for any small rough spots you might have missed. Use the 320-grit sandpaper for a smooth fine finish.

Step 10

Apply the paint and the clear coat finish to the furniture.

There you have it. If you have metal outdoor furniture that is rusting away on your porch, keep in mind that there's great potential for furniture refinishing that won't involve you wasting good furniture and spending heaps of money on new furniture that you don't really need.