DIY Industrial Cart Refresh

Is your metal cart (or outdoor furniture) looking a bit sad? No worries! Let me show you how to spray paint metal in just a few easy steps!

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DIY: How to Paint a Metal Cart (or Patio Furniture) in 5 Easy Steps

Do you have a piece or two of metal outdoor furniture that needs a bit of a refresh?  Let me share my easy process on how to spray paint metal!

It is so amazing what a difference spray paint can make!

Grab a can, give it a good shake and let’s get started!

Steps to Refreshing Your Metal Patio Furniture

• Use mild soap & water to clean off your patio furniture. Sand if necessary to remove rust.  Be sure to rinse well.  Allow time for the furniture to dry
• Choose the color & type of paint you want to use.  For my refreshing project, I am going to be using spray paint
• prep the area where you will be painting.  Choose a well ventilated area.  I normally spray paint outdoors
• after shaking the can of spray paint very well, paint your furniture
• allow the patio furniture to dry , apply a 2nd coat if necessary
• once you are happy with how the piece looks and the paint is dry, you are ready to move it to your patio, deck or lanai.
• relax & enjoy!

Before you can start spray painting, it is very important to make sure your piece of metal furniture is cleaned.  Rust or flaking paint should be removed using sandpaper or a wire brush.

After sanding, be sure to wash the piece with mild soap and water.  The cart will need to be completely dry before you start painting.

A primer should be used to cover rust spots or any stains. For example, the cart pictured below needed a bit of primer:

Here is how it looked after being spray painted with a simple gray primer.

The primer coat was the only coat that the cart had.  I used the cart like that for several years before it was time to refresh the paint.

After your piece is clean, primed and dry, you are ready to proceed.

I used painter’s tape to protect areas that I didn’t want painted.

Select a spray paint that can be used on metal.  The can should also specify that it can be used outdoors.  The paint that I am using is a combination Primer & Paint.

Spray the piece and allow each coat to dry completely.  It may be necessary to apply several coats of paint.  This cart ended up with two coats of metallic gray spray paint.

After the final coat has dried, spray the entire piece with a sealer. I used a matte finish sealer.

The sealer needs to dry completely before you are ready to use your cart or furniture.

Don’t be afraid to give your metal furniture a makeover!  If you don’t like how the color looks, you can always try again! As my friend ,Rick, would say ” Spray paint is our friend!”.

To See How I Used Spray Paint To Refresh Other Projects

Wrought Iron Patio Furniture Painting Tips

Wrought Iron Patio Chair Refresh!

Easy Way to Refresh A Lantern with Spray Paint!

 

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