How to Sand Cast Aluminum Chairs

Cast aluminum, made by pouring molten aluminum into a sand cast, provides a strong and durable outdoor chair that will last for years with minimal care. While cast aluminum chairs are not prone to rusting, the surface paint may peel, and metal screws or clasps, used to hold webbing in place, can corrode. A new coat of exterior paint will give your chairs a fresh look, but first, you must sand off the surface of the old paint.

Trisodium phosphate (TSP)
Bucket
Water
Sponge
Steel-bristle brush
30-Grit metal sandpaper
Rubber gloves
Splash-proof goggles

Instructions

- 1
  Clean the cast aluminum chairs with trisodium phosphate (TSP) mixed in warm water in a clean bucket. Mix as directed on the TSP container.
- 2
  Sponge the TSP solution on the chairs and scrub briskly with a steel-bristle brush to remove loose bits of paint, grease and dirt.
- 3
  Rinse the chairs with a water hose and let them dry completely.
- 4
  Sand the surface of the cast aluminum chairs with 30-grit metal sandpaper. This is a very coarse grit, and it will remove the surface sheen of the old paint, but it will not damage the aluminum.
- 5
  Continue sanding all the chair surfaces until the former paint is gone, or until it has dull appearance. Now, you're ready to prime your chairs with exterior primer made for metal surfaces. Then add two or more coats of exterior enamel made for metal.

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