Restoring Old Metal Furniture

Old metal furniture can be an exciting find at a thrift store, garage sale or antique shop. After all, it has a certain charm that can be hard to find in modern furniture. But it can also come with a lot of rust and damage, making it look like it needs to be replaced instead of restored. But with a little time, effort and the right tools, you can transform your old metal furniture into something that looks almost as good as new!

Prepare the Furniture

Before you start, you need to prepare the furniture. Start by wiping down the metal with a damp cloth to remove dirt and debris. Then, use a wire brush to remove rust, corrosion and any paint that may be peeling off the metal. If the metal has been treated with a sealant, make sure you remove it as well. Then, use a cloth to dry the metal and let it sit for about an hour before you begin the restoration process.

Repair Damages

Once the furniture is clean, you can start to repair any damages that may be present. If there are any broken welds, you can use a welder to repair them. If there are any large holes or cracks, you can fill them with a metal-based epoxy. If the metal is severely corroded, you can use a chemical rust remover to get rid of the rust and then use a metal sealant to protect it from future damage.

Repaint the Furniture

Now that your furniture is repaired, you can move on to the repainting stage. Before you start, make sure to use a mask and gloves to protect yourself from any fumes or paint chips. Then, use an oil-based primer to prime the metal and let it dry for about an hour. Once the primer is dry, you can start to paint the furniture with a metal-safe paint. Make sure to use even, light strokes to get an even coat of paint. Let the paint dry for a few hours before you move on to the next step.

Add Finishing Touches

Once the paint is dry, you can add any finishing touches that you want. You can use a metal sealant to protect the paint and keep it looking like new for longer. You can also add any decorative details like metal knobs or handles. And if you want to add a bit of extra shine, you can use a metal polish to bring out the natural beauty of the metal.

Enjoy Your Restored Furniture

Once you are done, you can enjoy your newly restored furniture. You can place it in your living room, bedroom or even your office as a stylish, vintage accent. Even better, you can now proudly say that you restored it yourself. And who knows, you may even find yourself looking for more old metal furniture to restore in the future!