I got a new garden bench but wanted to customize it a bit so it would better fit in with the existing outdoor decor. The bench is metal. If you don’t follow the right steps the paint on metal won’t last, especially if it repeatedly gets sprayed with sprinklers. I have learned that the hard way over the years :) Here are my tips for painting metal!
This post is sponsored by HomeRight but all opinions are 100% my own. This post also contains affiliate links.
Ever since we re-landscaped the front yard and got rid of one of the flowerbeds, it has seemed a little plain over by the fence. I like that I don’t have to weed that long flowerbed anymore, and the grass seed came in nice and thick. But the lawn area was practically begging for a garden bench. I finally found one I liked that fit all my requirements. It needed to be lightweight so one person could move it when it was time to mow, it needed to be inexpensive, and I really wanted something simple and not too traditional. It just needed a tiny makeover!
Tips For Painting Metal
Tip #1
When prepping anything for paint, I think it is a good idea to lightly sand it. It helps gives the surface a texture that the paint can grip. This bench had a powder coated surface with a matte texture, and one could argue that sanding wasn’t necessary, but it doesn’t hurt to take a few extra minutes with a fine grit sandpaper. If your metal surface is shiny, you will most definitely want to sand really well.
Tip #2
Put your project on a tarp to protect your work area. I am shocked at how many painting videos I see on instagram and Facebook where people are painting on their sidewalk or deck without anything under their project. Even though this time I did it on my grass, I still didn’t want to live with painted grass until the next time I mow. Plus, the tarp protects my project from getting dirt or grass on the wet paint.
Tip #3
Don’t paint metal outside when it is HOT. When metal is in the sun it heats up quickly and if you apply paint while it is hot, the paint will bubble. If you are doing a project during the summer like me, find a shaded spot and/or do the project in the morning or evening when the temperatures are cooler.
Tip #4
Put scrap wood under your project so it is elevated up off the tarp a bit. This will keep your project from sticking to the tarp. If you have ever skipped this step, you probably have gone to lift your project off the tarp and took a thin layer of paint off the tarp with you. Then you have to scrape the paint off the edge or your project. I have been there!
Tip #5
Use an oil based paint. I have used water based enamels for metal before but only if the piece was going to be used indoors and it wasn’t a highly used piece that wouldn’t get lots of wear and tear. Since this bench will get sprayed by sprinklers and get lots of handling, it needed an oil based paint.
Tip #6
Use a quality paint sprayer to apply the paint. I used the Quick Finish sprayer from HomeRight this time because of how easy it is to clean. Cleaning oil based paint up is a bit of a pain, but is SO MUCH EASIER with this sprayer since all the washable parts detach from the non-washable motor. GENIUS!
I chose navy blue to match the window boxes and planters around the house.
Tip #7
Let the paint dry completely. If there happens to be any drips because you got to close with the sprayer, lightly sand then down and then spray a little more paint over that area.
Look at that finish! So smooth and pretty :)
Now the lonely stretch of grass in front of the fence has a cheery blue garden bench. It s a perfect place to sit in the shade while watching the boys show off their skateboard tricks and bike jumps.
The other side of this fence is my Secret Garden!
Giveaway!
HomeRight has offered to giveaway one of their NEW Quick Finish Sprayers! Enter below using the Rafflecopter widget. Email me if you have any issues entering.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
You must be at least 18 years old to enter. You must be a resident of the USA to enter. The giveaway will go from July 26, 2020 until August 4, 2020. The winner will be chosen by random.org and will be notified by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be chosen. The shipping of the prize is the responsibility of the company, in this case HomeRight.
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This is very timely! We just brought my grandmother’s antique glider home this past weekend and it’s begging for a new paint job. The Quick Finish Sprayer would make that project a breeze! Thanks for the opportunity, and for the great tutorial.
This would be perfect for my next project….painting my new porch bed swing my husband made for my birthday this summer!
I would like to paint my coffee table.
I’m painting an old bakers rack for the 3rd or 4th time and I’m sure it would be easier with a sprayer but I’ll soldier on with a roller and a brush for now. Would love a sprayer though. Thanks for the opportunity.
My next painting project is my screened in porch and a couple of pieces of furniture that are in the porch area.
My next painting project will be a wicker loveseat, I was planning on using my Homeright sprayer but it no longer works.
I have two metal lawn chairs I need to paint. Would love to win the HomeRight paint sprayer!
Good tips and pretty color for the bench! I recently spray painted some plastic/resin chairs, and have a bunch of metal to finish painting before the weather turns cold.
Your bench turned out darling!! I love the cheery blue color! I have two metal garden benches that would look so much better repainted and I just bought a cute little dresser for our daughter’s room that needs a fresh coat of blush pink. Thank you so much for the chance to win! Have a blessed day!
We need to paint our metal gazebo. The sprayer would really make it easier!
My garage and my fence are on my to-do list!
Vintage lawn chairs! This would be perfect.
Planning on painting a bedroom set sooner than later.
I love how smooth the paint job looks. It’s flawless and looks as if it had been purchased that color! Great job!!!
I am dying to get a HomeRight Quick Sprayer! There’s so much I need to paint inside and out of the house!!
Our exterior doors need painting badly. This Quick Finish Sprayer would make it easy! Thanks for the chance to win it. I love how your garden bench turned out!
You really do have all the details down! I would have forgotten the woodblocks for sure! Ask me how I know! ;-) Thank you for the great advice! I know I can trust you when you say to try something because your way really has been tried and true!!!!
Thanks so much! Take good care, Stacy!
XOXO
Danita
Love that Blue!!!
What a beautiful addition to the yard. We need more outside seating when the grandkids come to visit. This would be a perfect addition!
Thank you for the chance, this would be perfect for our next project….painting couple old furnitures!
I’ve always just used cans of spray paint to paint our outdoor furniture. This is another good reason why we need a sprayer!
My next painting project is a dresser….a sprayer would make it so much easier!
our moms house. Peeling paint, ugly.
I love how your bench looks in your yard! Great find & great new color! I, too, have a metal bench that needs to be refinished – thank you for showing me the correct way to do it!
I have always wanted a sprayer… and what a beautiful job it did on your navy bench! Looks great!
I need to refinish a very old set of rod iron outdoor furniture, glider, round table and 4 spring rocker chairs. I love your finished bench. I believe I’ll paint mine an aqua color.
My next outdoor painting project is to paint a vintage metal chair. It belonged to an uncle who passed away a few years ago. Having a paint sprayer would make the job so much easier.
We are going to build my son a fort for his birthday next month and his favorite color is red. I’m hoping I can get it done and painted by his birthday.
Your painting hint came a “little” too late for me. LOL I did not lightly sand my previously painted metal bench and chairs that I got at an estate sale. I went ahead and used Rustoleum for metal brush on paint. The job looked great when finished. However, I did not count on an evening thunder storm coming which made the paint peel up in places. I am getting ready to start over on this paint job but wanted to say that I appreciate the info re the hot temps and the little spray painter. May very well purchase one of these for future use. Thanks Stacy
I have a rusty garden trellis that is in desperate need of painting.
Looks great! would love to try this sprayer. I have a glider begging for a New finish!
laundry room
I need to repaint a table I made of mess of with a paint roller. Yikes, what a disaster! This would help tremendously.
My next project is painting my outdoor bakers rack that I use for my plants – it is a sad sight.
We are redoing my sons room and the next painting project is his walk in closet.
Wow! What a great finish you achieved with this sprayer. It would come in handy for all sorts of projects, Thank you for offering this give away.
I have so many projects I’d like to do with the Quick Finish Paint Sprayer. My kitchen chairs are in desperate need of repainting.and I’ve been saving for a sprayer to do the job.
I need to paint the trim on my front and back doors.
I’m buying my first house in 28 days and this would be sooooooo amazing to have for all the DIY Projects I have planned!!!!
I’d like to paint the exterior of our home.
This is great! My next painting project is a hutch that I got off craigslist. It is the final piece that I need to make my dining room complete!
This would be great to paint our two decks! Would make the job easier for sure!
I have an old dresser that needs a refresh. Thanks for the chance to win!
To restain our deck.
I love the smooth finish it left! I have quite a few things to paint and this would be perfect!
I am working on trying to paint my kitchen cabinets.
Love how the bench turned out! My next painting project is a bookshelf made from pallet wood.
I’ve just gotten started on a long list of projects that have been stacking up. This would be so useful to get them completed sometime before my infant goes to college :)
We are starting to work on finishing our basement, so there’s a lot of painting in my future😁. ive always wanted to try one of these sprayers- I think I’m going to have to finally buy one now!
I have tried the other home right sprayer (my mom has it) and it was FABULOUS! But you’re right cleaning up the oil paint was awful and I vowed to never do that again. This gun looks amazing, what a genius idea to have the washable parts detach! *fingers crossed*!
I had no idea you could get such a smooth finish with such a small gun, the finished project looks great!
I have a fence I want to paint. Thanks for the chance.
We are in the process of buying a New-to-us home and the projects are endless. I want to start on my bathroom cabinets.
Believe it or not, we want to do metal chairs our neighbors sold to us before they moved.
These tips are great, especially using the wood blocks!
Oh, and we’re in hot, hot, Arizona now, can we use latex outdoor paint? We get very little rain
Getting ready to do the ceiling on our front porch….and all of the exterior paint on the house…the sprayer looks like it would be a godsend.
i have a bunch of used furniture to redo. need the sprayer!
This turned out so good. I’ve been wanting to paint my rocking chairs and you just gave the courage to go ahead. Thank you ❤
My picnic table and benches need to be painted really bad that will be my next project. I need to paint the house but that seems overwhelming so start with the table.
probably my yard sign
this would be perfect we are ready to repaint our garden sheshed
My next project is bedroom doors
My daughter’s bedroom needs painting! The rest of the house too.
this looks like something perfect for me!
I want to upcycle some furniture from a thrift store.
I’m planning on painting my fireplace glass screen. It’s gold, and I’m going to paint it bronze.
A vintage dresser.
I have a bunch of metal b irdhouses my grandad made and didnt get painted. I am going to tackle those
I have some old metal chairs I found at a yard sale I have been wanting to psint.
I have old black iron patio furniture I’d love to paint bright primary colors
Thanks for the tip! I need to re-paint my metal backyard tree swing. It’s getting rusty and I don’t want it to get ruined. My husband and I enjoy sitting on it under our big old oak tree.
My next project would be to paint my picnic table.
I’m painting a 6 piece bedroom set for my daughter! Rose gold and baby pink’
We plan on painting our metal screen doors soon!
Painting my deck!
Our next painting project will be our porch my husband just rebuilt on the building
I am going to repaint the older metal chairs that my mom gave me.
My bathroom is an ugly green.I’d love to paint it a gorgeous cobalt blue, maybe a little lighter.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I am painting the inside the house but I am wanting to make a picnic table for outside and paint it.
This is really nice- my husband would love it. Our next painting project is the porch railings.
This would be perfect to paint a set of wrought iron frogs someone gave my mom years ago. Great giveaway!
My next project is painting my backyard swing
My chicken coop
My next project will be painting a chest for my daughter.
We need to paint the entire inside of my house.
Would love to use that on my back door that i wish to paint very soon This Quick Finish Sprayer would do a very neat job…Thanks for the chance.
We just finished painting my son’s room. Now on to the hallway!
What a cool project!
My hubby is currently remodeling my dads house for him. This would be a big help!!
My next project is painting the patio furniture I just picked up at a yard sale. I think it will look great once I am finished.
I have a couple of outdoor metal chairs I would love to paint
My next paint project is our shed.
What a cute bench!! I love that color!!!
Painting a deck
I’m going to be painting some planters next.
My deck
My next painting project is our small fence in the front yard.
Great tips on refinishing.