Restore vintage thrift shop chairs with a paint job.
If you can't stand the look of those dull, scuffed metal chairs any longer, grab some cans of paint and give them a makeover. In just a couple of days, those old chairs can look as good and new. A fresh coat of paint on furnishings can do wonders to spruce up a room's style or add a spicy new color into the decor. Painting metal chairs is a low-budget project that doesn't require any special handyman expertise, just a little elbow grease.
Instructions
Getting Started
1. Bring your chairs into a spacious, well-ventilated area such as your yard or garage. Protect your floor, surrounding furniture or nearby walls with drop cloths.
2. Remove any cushions or padding. Check under the chair to see if seat pads are screwed in and unscrew them if necessary. If any padding or cushions cannot be removed, protect them by covering them with plastic bags and painter's tape.
3. Put on old clothes, protective eyewear and a dust mask. Put on work gloves to protect your hands.
Paint Preparations
4. Scrub away any rust or peeling finishes with a stiff wire brush. If the chairs are not rusting and peeling, skip the wire brush.
5. Sand your chair with an electric palm sander. Use a heavy to medium grit paper first if there are a lot of chips and scratches on the surface of your chairs. Finish with a pass of a fine grit paper. If the surfaces of your chairs are in good shape, go right to the fine grit paper.
6. Clean your chairs well with an ammonia-based window cleaner and a rag. Spray and wipe it from top to bottom, including underneath. Get into any crevices or creases with a cotton swab or old tooth brush. Let them air dry.
Painting the Chairs
7. Set one chair to start with on the drop cloth. Put on some disposable latex or rubber gloves.
8. Shake your paint can vigorously for about two minutes and remove the cap. Aim the hole in the spout on a piece of scrap paper or cardboard and depress it for about three seconds to make sure it's not clogged and coming out evenly.
9. Aim the spout at the first chair you plan to paint, holding the can about 10 to 14 inches away from the chair. Depress the spout and simultaneously begin moving the can in back-and-forth sweeping motions. Sweep back and forth starting over the top of the chair and working your way down to the bottom for a light coating of paint.
10. Walk around the chair and repeat the sweeping paint movements from the back. Do not stall or slow your arm at any time, as it will result in an uneven coverage and drips. Let the first chair dry and move on to your other chairs, spray painting them with the same sweeping motion, front and back.
11. Wait about 20 to 30 minutes before giving the chairs a second coat of paint, front and back, using the same sweeping motions. Allow the second coat to dry thoroughly.
12. Turn the chairs over so their bottom and legs are exposed and you have easy access. Spray on a coat with your sweeping technique, allow it to dry 20 to 30 minutes then spray on another coat. When your chair is dry, set it upright.
13. Remove tape and plastic, or re-attach your padding, and return the chairs to your dining room.
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