Transform, don't toss, your old, rusted lawn chairs. Don't fret, there's hope for those paint-chipped, rust producing lawn chairs that have become an eyesore in your backyard. Unlike their plastic counterparts, the durability of metal lawn chairs allows for refinishing, which means a longer lifespan. With minimal investment, you can reinvent your sturdy metal furniture and revamp your outdoor living space at the same time. Wipe the chair with a rag dipped in a mixture of water and dish soap. Remove all dust, dirt and other debris to ensure the most accurate assessment of the chair's condition. Rinse away any soapy residue that remains on the chair. Inspect the metal surface for bubbles, peeling paint, and rust or corrosion. Use a wire brush or steel wool pad to gently but firmly rub away any bubbles or rust until the metal is smooth and blemish free. To remove all traces of rust, The Family Handyman suggests donning protective gloves, goggles and a dust mask and then brushing on a rust remover and allowing it to sit overnight.
The next day, rinse the chair with water, and then wipe it dry. In a well-ventilated area, set the chair on a drop cloth. Apply a mildew-resistant spray primer designed specifically for use on metal for the smoothest finish. Using long, even strokes, spray two coats of primer on the surface of the chair, waiting for the first coat to dry to the touch before reapplying. Allow the primer to dry for 24 hours. Apply several light coats -- within one hour of each other -- of rust-inhibiting spray paint designed for use on metal outdoor furniture. Wait 24 hours before using the refinished chair. Things You Will Need Rags Dish soap Wire brush or steel wool Goggles Dust mask Protective gloves Rust remover Paintbrush Drop cloth Metal spray primer Metal spray paint Tip Warning References Start Right Start Here: Refinish Outdoor FunitureOutsiders Within: Refinishing Metal FurnitureHome Improvement Land: Refinishing Metal FurnitureThe Family Handyman: How to Remove Rust Photo Credits Jupiterimages /Polka Dot/Getty Images Suggest a Correction
As many words as you need for $20, including a free interactive map. Reach 5,000 to 10,000 shoppers every day! Click the button below for online payment, or email us for other options. Estate Tag Sale – 1805 Second St., Perry Friday, Sept. 23, 4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. HUGE Estate sale, including: ’94 Dodge Ram, Vintage Aluma Craft boat and trailer, BB/Cap guns, knives, Snapper riding mower, Toro snow thrower, Craftsman snow thrower, leaf blowers, Porter-Cable air compressor, lincwelder, anvils, lawn/garden tools, Briggs and Stratton lawn mower, battery charger, Honda power washer, Weed Eater, air compressor, jacks, wooden oars, antique water pump, ladders, shovels, windmill, Jensen cast iron oil pump, barbed wire, Porter-Cable Speedmatic 89 saw, extension cords, vices, dolly, fencing, Waterloo tool chest, Toro weedeater, Dodger Beverages enamel/metal signs, bird bath, antique metal gate, fishing poles, dozens of fishing lures (Heddon & more!), fish spears, saws, tackle boxes, drills, wrenches, yard sticks, Waterloo tool box, lanterns, Railroad lanterns, metal milk crate, horseshoes, metal mailbox, Crosaw, antique Zenith Radio, oil cans
, cream separator, pens, lighters, pipes, canning jars, shelving, coolers (vintage Coleman and others), camp stove, Copperware, sewing items, tennis rackets, fishing nets, enamelware, metal lawn furniture, vintage colored metal lawn chairs, multiple Redwing & Western Stoneware crocks (many sizes), pallet, fireplace insert, oak wall phone, vintage suitcases, plant stands, vintage tables/stands in need of reno, cameras, binoculars, ice tongs, milk crates, license plates, vintage wooden barrel, vintage STOP sign, lounge chairs, coal buckets, trolling motor, vintage Johnson boat motor, waders, tackle boxes, coal miners lantern, flashlights, stools, folding tv trays, buttons, vintage feeding trough, Carrom board, puzzles, vintage bentwood rocking chair, – Sunheat infrared heater, vacuum, Flat screen television, cedar chest, dressers, night stands, lamps, rocker/recliners, couches, vanity, vintage rolltop desk, Twin bed frame, Mid Century Modern bedroom set, Violin-Uke, Silvertone Chord Organ, Christmas/other holiday (including Halloween) décor, MCM 3-tier stand, linens (towels, antique quilt, blankets, scarves, etc), vintage clothing, antique mahogany rocking chair, Radio Shack metal detector, rugs, cast-iron sewing machine base, cast iron pot-bellied stove, crates, folding chairs/tables, upright freezer, vintage toys, vintage magazines, (2) dining table and chair sets
, antique china cabinet/curio, cookbooks, kitchen items, mini-fridge, clocks, artwork, carnival glass, milk glass, Fenton, cookie jars, IS unused flatware set with case, other flatware, oil lamps, glassware, crystal, porcelain/pottery, blender, waffle maker, vintage Texaco shirt, breadbox, microwave, pots & pans, board games, mens & womens jewelry, three very nice pocket watches, gold rings and more! Western items: belt buckles, canes, boots, bolo ties, suit coats, jackets, belts, Cowboy hats, décor, artwork, gun safe and much more! We're located in the center of Historic Open: 10 am - 6 pm Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday Vintage Metal Porch Gliders and Chairs Wrought Iron Patio Furniture We buy, restore, and sell! We will restore your personal items including metal or iron. Check out our Store & Showroom Antiques, Collectibles, Vintage, Repurposed Visit Our Facebook Page Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames.
Stainless steel table with glass plate top. The chairs are polypropylene composite plastic with stainless steel legs Metal furniture is a type of furniture that uses metal parts in its construction. There are various types of metal that can be used, such as iron, aluminium, and stainless steel. Iron and steel products are extensively used in many application, ranging from office furnishings to outdoor settings. Cast Iron is used mainly for outdoor finishings and settings, such as those used for bench legs and solid iron tables. It is suited to outdoor use due to its hardness, heaviness and general tough composition. The main disadvantage to this is that it, being a relatively pure form of Iron is subject to corrosion at the hands of the moisture and air. Stainless Steel is used very extensively for most modern interior furnishings involving metal. Many hinges, slides, supports and body pieces are composed of Stainless. It has a high tensile strength, allowing it to be applied using hollow tubes, reducing weight and increasing user accessibility.
Aluminum is a light and corrosion resistant metal,and to take advantage of these qualities, it is heavily utilized for stamped and cast furniture, especially in the category of molded chairs. Aluminum atoms form an outer layer of Aluminum Oxide, which prevents the internal aluminum from being corroded. Metal furniture is a popular choice of furnishings, especially used outdoors for decks and patios. However, metal furniture can also be used indoors, such as brass beds, brass tables, iron bakers racks and metal curio cabinets. Besides being sturdy, metal furniture is attractive, giving a contemporary look to your home. To make it stand out, all it takes is a good polishing to give it added charm and character. Steel indoor and outdoor furniture has been popular in this country since the '20s. Around 1925, Marcel Breuer, the Bauhaus furniture designer and architect, began working with tubular steel, having been impressed with the light weight and strength of the handlebars of a bicycle.
The resulting furniture designs by Breuer and others using this material are some of the most important of the period. But production of all outdoor furniture came to a sudden halt when the United States entered World War II and factories began churning out products supporting the war effort. After the war ended, those same factories necessarily switched to making products for peacetime pursuits – from swords to plowshares. Arvin Industries, for example, began production of metal lawn furniture and dinette sets in 1940 and stopped it by the end of 1941 when the US entered the war. The company began making bombs, radio communications equipment and parts for military vehicles among other things. With the war over and a new consumer society developing, Arvin began producing products for the home such as electric irons and ironing boards, waffle makers, radios and, by 1949, its first television set. It also began once again to manufacture outdoor steel furniture. By the 1950s, in addition to tubular steel, furniture was produced using aluminum, wire mesh and legs made of thin steel rods that give mid-century furniture its distinctive splayed leg, light-on-its-feet look.
Durability is the main advantage of metal furniture. For example, not many types of non-metal furniture can remain outside during winter and still look good when spring arrives. If cared for properly, metal furniture can last up to 30 years. Because most metal furniture is treated for rust and heat resistance, it doesn't need much maintenance. Usually metal furniture is made from either steel or aluminum. To tell aluminum from steel, place a magnet on a metal surface and if it is steel it will stick. Steel furniture is typically pricier when it is used as furniture, with the price varying according to the type of metal and thickness. However, it is hard to identify it after a finish is applied. Steel has low, medium or high carbon, with most metal furniture being made with low carbon because it is cheaper than a higher grade of carbon. Stainless steel is good for low maintenance. Made of an alloy of carbon, iron and other metals, its main reason for its strength is because of chromium, which protects from rust and corrosion because of its thin film of oxide on the surface.
Wrought iron is good for garden furniture, providing a classic look. However, it is heavy, which is a challenge, but appreciated on windy days. It needs much care, though, and can easily rust and corrode if not waterproofed. Aluminum is more common than steel furniture, mostly because it does not rust, although it oxidizes, turning into a chalky white. It is also lighter than steel, making it more desirable. Cast and heavy tube aluminum give better quality. Aluminum has to be thicker than steel if it is to have as much strength. Tubular aluminum is flexible and hollowing, besides less sturdy. However, its lightness makes for an ideal poolside furniture and is mainly used for benches, folding chairs and swing sets. Choosing the right finish for metal furniture is important because of its durability. Some of the most common finishes include chrome plating, plastic, painted, brass and anodized finishes. Chrome plating, although durable, is thin and if damaged where it is exposed to air, scratches can rust.
Plastic-coated finishes are synthetically made and good as they prevent rusting or the metal changing color from air exposure. Although they're as strong as paint finishes, they do not hold up as well as electroplated finishes. Paint finishes are for both steel and aluminum furniture, although it easily scratches and rusts. Brass plating, which is an electroplated finish, is applied in a bath and is durable. Solid brass is both pricey and rare. To decide if a finish is solid brass put a magnet on the furniture and if it clings, it is made of brass-plated steel (iron in the steel is magnetic). Brass is made from copper and zinc, two metals that are prone to corrosion from exposure to (salty) water or air. Brass finishes should be oiled or clear-coated with polyurethane or a similar material to make a barrier from air and water to prevent corrosion. Corrosion is slowed when a surface is already oxidized, for example aluminum is very hard to weld because of its persistent aluminum oxide layer, this prevents access to the bare metal.
Anodized finishes are used on aluminum furniture to increase the thickness of the aluminum oxide layer, creating a thicker barrier between the atmosphere and aluminum base metal. When selecting metal furniture, consider coat and finish, ensuring the surface is powder coated—which does not need maintenance—and the finish is not just painted onto the furniture but baked into the metal. Also, consider your climate. For example, if you live in a rainy area, you will want furniture with heavy waterproofing and light enough to carry indoors. For hot climates, consider that aluminum retains heat, so you can not use it until it cools down. Often people consider metal furniture with being uncomfortable, as images of "metal" conjure up cold, hard-backed chairs as well as cold, shiny surfaces. However, it is easy to add cushions and upholstery to make the furniture comfortable, as well as attractive. Also, adding some simple curves also adds to comfort as many types of metal furniture manufacturers have done.