How to Restore Rusting Wire Chairs

Wire chairs can develop rust spots whether you use the chairs inside or outside. The rust gives the chair a dingy appearance, and eventually can eat through the metal of the chair. Restoring a rusted chair requires removing the rust spots and cleaning the chair. Once you have the rust under control, spray painting the wire chair with a rust-inhibiting metal spray paint gives it a new look and prevents future rust formation.

Wire brush, 1 inch
Sandpaper, 120-grit
Liquid dish soap
Sponge
Towel
Rust converter
Rust-inhibiting metal spray primer
Metal spray paint

Instructions

- 1
  Gently scrub the rust spots with a wire brush or with 120-grit sandpaper. Wipe down the chair with a sponge dipped in soapy water, then rinse the chair with clean water. Dry the chair with a towel.
- 2
  Rinse out the sponge with clean water. Apply a rust converter to the wire chair with the sponge, according to the package directions. It converts any rust you missed to iron tannate. Wash and dry the chair.
- 3
  Take the chair outside or to a well-ventilated area. Spray the entire chair with a rust-inhibiting metal primer. Hold the can 8 to 10 inches from the chair and apply the primer in even, overlapping strokes. Let the primer dry.
- 4
  Apply two coats of metal spray paint the same way you applied the primer. Let the first coat dry before applying the second. If you want to keep the metallic finish of the wire chair, use an oil-rubbed bronze or other metallic color.
- 5
  Let the spray paint dry for 48 hours before using the chair.

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Chairs