Aluminium Garden FurnitureGarden Furniture Design

Sometimes people get tired of their garden furniture and want to replace it – it’s natural.  However, instead of buying a new set of expensive furniture, why not consider painting your old set instead?  With a little time and effort, you can have a nice, new-looking set of furniture with a much smaller financial investment!  What’s more, painting your furniture can actually help protect it from the element, increasing its longevity.

Painting wooden furniture is fairly self-explanatory so, in this post, I explain how to go about painting aluminium garden furniture – a trickier job.  Before you start, remember to take off the cushions!  It’s also advisable to put the furniture on a surface where paint splashes and spills won’t be the end of the world – if you are using spray paint, make sure the area is well ventilated as well.

To start with, wash the furniture completely using a metal sponge and mild soapy water; you will need the surface to be clean and smooth before you start painting it.  Next up, you will have to apply a primer coat specifically designed for aluminium – this is important so don’t scrimp on it!  Beforehand, many people apply a thin layer of vinegar to the surface to etch the aluminium before the primer; this works well, but you must be sure to rub the vinegar off again before you proceed!

Once the aluminium is primed, paint on a base layer of oil-based enamel using either a brush or spray-can.  Spray is advisable for small pieces, due to its ability to provide an even coat and get into small corners.  Once the first (base) coat is done, make sure you let it dry before applying the second coat – otherwise you risk the old colour showing through.

Finally, leave the furniture to try in a cool, dry place – preferably where there are no insects to fly into it!