Asked on May 06, 2012

Scored this beauty - a vintage 1950's porch glider with original paint. Any tips on protecting it from the elements?

Vintage porch glider - original paint. How to protect it from the elements. It will be out on an uncovered porch. See more pics here: http://eclecticallyvintage.com/2012/05/thrift-vintage-glider/
  42 answers
  • Keep it painted and out of sun. Boy that thing takes me back to my childhood at my grandparents in upstate NY. Would spend hours on that thing.
  • Peace Painting Co., Inc. Peace Painting Co., Inc. on May 07, 2012
    A 50's model, it was a good year. I have never tried it but car wax over the original metal finish may protect it longer. It would have to be totally removed if ever repainted. The best thing to preserve it would be a vinyl cover. CP
  • Jeannie D Jeannie D on May 07, 2012
    WOW! Lucky score!!!
  • Rebecca D Rebecca D on May 07, 2012
    Nice! Love it!
  • Susan S Susan S on May 07, 2012
    WHAT A FANTASTIC FIND!! Bet this made you feel like you took a few steps back in time huh?? Protection - since this is the original finish (that's amazing - the original owners must have kept this inside) I wonder if a couple of coats of a NON-yellowing spray on polyeurathane would protect it?? I would try a small test patch on the back first. "POLY" may not be the right product so I'd ask the paint pros about exactly which product would be best. Definitely a treasure you'll want to protect. Yeah, and keep it covered when not in use.
  • Linda G Linda G on May 07, 2012
    Spray it very well with clear acrylic
  • What a treasure, my grandmother had one.
  • Thanks for all the tips all! Now, back to gliding!
  • Paul M Paul M on May 08, 2012
    Waxing will work well but if you decide to clear coat it you will have to use a special wax remover or the clear coat will not adhere. If you do decide to us a clear coat I would suggest that you stay clear of the small cans in the home improvement stores and go to an automotive paint store instead. Ask for a high performance clear urethane, that is something that should be readily available. Prep the swing with a wax and grease remover solvent. Dry it good and the clear coat it. In my opinion the clear coat is the best option because it will give you many years of service with the original look. My grandmother had one in New Orleans years ago but it was rusty even back then. I'm sure it has decomposed by now.
  • Paul - you are a rockstar - thanks!
  • Jan P Jan P on May 08, 2012
    OMG- I have one of these - we got it about 9-10 yrs ago as part of our camper purchase. I believe the previous owner painted it to match the decor of the camper! I was going to give it to someone at the camp as we are selling - but now I think I might bring it home and have it by the pool!! any ideas how to get it to glide again...have to get some sort of ball bearings or something.
  • Louise Louise on May 11, 2012
    I grew up with one of these on our screened porch. What a trip to the past.
  • Barbara Barbara on May 15, 2012
    We have one of these, LOVE it. Ours is red with white lattice like yours. You might try some clear acrylic or laquer on it for protection, Spray it with a pump sprayer for an even coating.
  • Jan P Jan P on May 16, 2012
    what should I do to get it to glide again??? Is there a source out there for bearings??? I am going to have my son sand blast it and repaint - and hove it set near my fish pond!!
  • I have no idea Jan - my glider glides perfectly. Try a google search and good luck!
  • Barbara Barbara on May 17, 2012
    My glider parts fell apart, but I still have all the pieces. Now I just use it as a bench and it look great...red and white
  • Kelly S Kelly S on May 27, 2012
    @Jan P. Check online with the manufacturer if they are still in business. When you son blasts it have him take it apart, then blast. Getting the rust and old paint off may be all that it needs.
  • Juana A Juana A on Jun 07, 2012
    I have always wanted one of those. It is beautiful
  • Terra M Terra M on Jun 23, 2012
    yeah just make sure there is no rust showing. I should last a while if not. You can take it to a autobody or powdercoating place and get a clear coat put on.
  • Rachel Rachel on Jun 24, 2012
    www.vintageglider.com is a fantastic resource for DIY refinishing and spare glider parts.
  • Thanks Rachel and everyone for your tips!
  • Vicky S Vicky S on Jun 25, 2012
    Get some clear spray sealant, or something you can brush on. I have a glider similar to this, but there is no helping it now,scrap pile here it comes.
  • Jan P Jan P on Jul 10, 2012
    Update on my glider....we had our pool sandblasted Monday and the guys were nice enough to do that and a set of wrought iron furniture that was my mom's. I sent a picture of the glider mechanism, and of course the restoration folks on line don't have parts for this one. : ( So I will consider turning this into a hanging swing.Have to get some paint on it pronto!! Should I be hand sanding before I paint?? They got all the paint off....and of course the rusty junk! Can't wait to get it painted!! AND should I be brushing on the paint or spray cans?? Thanks!!
  • Jan P - did you see the link from Rachel for vintage glider.com? So glad you got it sandblasted - it's going to look amazing! My problem is I don't want to strip the original paint but I need to give it a super duper cleaning before it's clear coated!
  • Z Z on Jul 12, 2012
    Though I agree with Paul M on the clear coat, after looking at the photos on your blog showing some rust/soil I'd have it repainted at an auto body shop along with clear coating. Unless of course you want to preserve the aged look. Then just a light sanding a clear coat would do. I'd still suggest having an auto body shop do the work.
  • Bonnie Bonnie on Jul 12, 2012
    Love that glider, always wanted one. check out site...ehow.com....they have step by step instructions! cant wait to see final result.
  • Robin M Robin M on Jul 12, 2012
    I just had one done. I had a guy who does boat work sandblast it and then he painted it.
  • Jan P Jan P on Jul 15, 2012
    I did check a couple of sites, and they don't have parts for mine - it doesn't 'hang' it rolls an steel balls - which I have to figure what size when I take that part apart! The next question - since it's been blasted - should I be hand sanding a bit or steel wooling?? And paint - brush or spray can???
    • See 2 previous
    • Mardy Mardy on Oct 26, 2015
      @Mardy If I find a place I'll let you know. Is there a small hole in the seat at both sides? I wondered what that was for. Then the lady I bought from gave me a horseshoe type piece that hooks glider feet together and attaches to swing...but she only had 1. Should be 2. Thanks the reply.
  • Vicky Moates Vicky Moates on Dec 03, 2014
    I have one from my Mom and Dad. The glider part is gone. I also have the rocking chair.
  • Stormie Stormie on Mar 27, 2015
    Looking rail for porch glider. Any idea where to find?
    • Car r Car r on Jul 11, 2015
      @Stormie there is a website that sells some parts. vintagegliders.com
  • Karen Heaney Karen Heaney on Jun 25, 2015
    Rustoleum Clear spray paint. Ask paint dept at hardware store.
  • Betty Miller Betty Miller on Jun 25, 2015
    Son had some of old chairs redone at auto paint shop different colors with left over paint. Sand blasted first then painted with car paint I think it has to go thru a baking (heat) cycle to cure the paint. That was several years ago they still look as good as when he got them back. I've tried the rustoleum paint spray and brush on just doesn't hold up to weather as well as paint shop for metal chairs. Looked good for first year loses the slick, shiney finish with weather. My experience.
  • Sheli Cockerham Dillon Sheli Cockerham Dillon on Apr 26, 2016
    I have one with the ball bearing glide rail. Mine was a bit stiff so I sprayed it good with WD 40. I plan to grease it with the grease gun when it loosens up a little more. Haven't decided on the color I will paint it yet. Love the teal but my house is blue. Thinking red and white would look good. I scored mine for $15 at a tag sale.
  • Cover it to protect it from rain and take it in for the winter.

  • Mogie Mogie on Jul 01, 2023

    I have never seen this before it is beautiful. Keep this out of the sun and elements as much as possible. The wooden parts will need to be kept painted and a good application of sealer woudn't be a bad idea either. Not all sealer in glossy anymore.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Aug 25, 2023

    Cover with a Bench Tarp cover!

  • GrandmasHouseDIY GrandmasHouseDIY on Aug 25, 2023

    That's beautiful! I would spray it with an outdoor epoxy sealant

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Aug 25, 2023

    RustOleum Never Wet would be a great product to protect and it doesn't yellow. I love this, you made a great find.


  • Buy a cover for it and take it in for the winter.

  • Janice Janice on Feb 26, 2024

    Clean the glider really well and if it doesn't need repainting, just wax it with the best car wax you can afford. Wax it every 3-4 months to keep it in good shape and it will last many more years. What a great find!

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Feb 27, 2024

    Clean it very well and coat with Rustoleum Never Wet or top brand car wax, Keep it covered in winter.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Feb 28, 2024

    Keep it out of direct sun and protect in winter.