How to Refinish Metal Porch Furniture

Take furniture to a work area where it can stand for two days out of the rain and wind. Place a drop cloth in an area that is not highly trafficked by the family or pets. Put all the furniture on the tarp. Put a smaller drop cloth under the first piece of furniture you plan to refinish.

Scrape the piece vigorously with a wire brush. Take plenty of time, because this is the most important part of the project. You must provide a good foundation for the new finish and stop rust in its tracks.

Sweep the piece of furniture with a dry paintbrush to remove any paint and rust chips that did not fall onto the tarp during the brushing. Chip at any rusty or painted spots with the putty knife or chisel if they will not come off with the brush. Tap the chisel gently with the hammer to dislodge rusted clumps usually found around hardware and in corners. Take the piece off the smaller tarp and shake the debris into a trash bag.

Put the furniture piece back on the small tarp. Remove any rusted or broken hardware with a screwdriver and pliers. Brush the area where the hardware has been removed with the wire brush. Sweep it with the dry paintbrush. Replace the hardware, one piece at a time.

Run steel wool pads over the furniture piece until it begins to feel smoother. Apply a liquid metal filler to any spot that is dented, deeply chipped or thin from rust. Fill in tiny spots and flaws, using a very thin layer of auto-glazing compound.

Sand all surfaces with the sanding block. By now the furniture should be very smooth. If it is not, you may wish to apply a commercial paint stripper. If so, apply as directed. After application, remove all stripper residue with dry clean rags. Let furniture piece dry, and give it one final go-over with the sanding block. Sweep the piece with the paintbrush. Take the furniture off the tarp, shake the debris into the trash bag, lay the tarp down again, and put the furniture back on the tarp.

Choose a day that is dry and windless. Make sure no debris can fall on the furniture. Apply one thin coat of metal primer and two thin coats of rust-preventing paint to the furniture.