Help -- We need to repaint powder coated aluminum patio furniture

Question

We are fortunate to have some old (30+ years) originally very high quality powder coated aluminum patio sling chairs that need to be repainted. I priced having them professionally done and at $125 each that is NOT happening. I have searched the internet and found a bunch of sometimes conflicting advice. I know how to take the chairs apart and lightly sand but then what? What kind (type and brand please) of spray metal primer? How many coats? What kind of color coat (type and brand) paint. Will a poly top coat help or cause problems over time? Advice from anyone who has done this will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance, Susan

Wanda.ll · Answer

after looking into sanding, priming and painting we went with powder coating ourselves. you might contact and auto place and see if they can do might be cheaper.

Laura Martin-La Fontsee · Answer

We used Rustoleums line. They have paint that will dry and look like a satin or a hammered metal look.  Or just their usual colors.

Susan · Answer

Thanks Wanda - that's what I was afraid of but we simply can't afford to do it. I have to find another way. Susan

Susan · Answer

Laura - Did you use a metal primer? If so, what kind? And, how has your repainted furniture lasted?

241755 · Answer

I also have power coated patio furniture and thanks to the grand kids it is chipped bad. How do I go about painting it and getting past the chips. I have used the hammered metal look and I like it really well. The areas that are chipped are rather large all over the table and now starting on the chairs. Can I use a wire brush on a drill on them?

Debbie · Answer

We painted our old patio furniture using Rustoleum Universal paint and it looks fantastic! We just washed and dried it and prayed...Perfect.

Gail Whaley · Answer

I have had extremely good luck with repainting powder coated patio furniture and as with most projects preparation is key! I sand and grind all loose paint off the project and then clean the entire piece with 91% isopropyl alcohol using lint free cloth. Next I prime the entire piece with a primer made for aluminum (my husband picked it up for me at an auto parts place). I wait a couple of days and then give my piece at least two coats and I only use Rustoleum products and generally add a third coat to the parts that will get the most wear! It is work but well worth it, my pieces are still in great shape!

Susan · Answer

Gail - thank you. I am off to the the auto parts store to talk about aluminum primer. We will power wash the disassembled parts with TSP solution, lightly sand all surfaces, grind out any deeper chips, then finish the prep with your suggested isopropyl alcohol wipe. I am a lot better at talking about projects than I am at getting them completed but this is one project I am determined to start and finish.

Trender2 · Answer

I have used rustoleum stone finish on outdoor furniture that I picked up for free I prepped the same way as Gail minus the alcohol (which I will be using next time!) the stone finish is very forgiving for easy to use and had held up extremely well over the last 4 summers in central PA (and I leave 2 chairs and a small table out in the harsh winter as well - still looking great!

Susan · Answer

Thanks everyone for all the helpful comments. I am new to this site and I am bowled over with all the thoughtful support.

YJB · Answer

Thanks for all the helpful information

Agnes Chrzanowska · Answer

Did you use a metal primer? If so, what kind? And, how has your repainted furniture lasted

Holly Lengner - Lost Mom · Answer

Spray paint

Mogie · Answer

There are two main ways to refinish powder-coated furniture--strip it and start over, or apply paint over the existing powder. If the original job was properly prepared, it will be difficult to remove a powder-coated finish. One coat of powder is roughly equivalent to three or four coats of paint. Some commercially purchased furniture will only have one light coat of powder, but those powder coated by a reputable shop may have two or three coats of powder.

Help -- We need to repaint powder coated aluminum patio furniture

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Help -- We need to repaint powder coated aluminum patio furniture

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