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    Tips For Painting Metal

    By Stacy 96 Comments

    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!

     

    Quick Finish Sprayer

     

    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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    Filed Under: DIY & Tutorials, Painting 96 Comments

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tammy Sorrell

      July 28, 2020 at 10:25 am

      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.

      Reply
    2. Catherine D Stovall

      July 28, 2020 at 10:57 am

      This would be perfect for my next project....painting my new porch bed swing my husband made for my birthday this summer!

      Reply
    3. Kelly D

      July 28, 2020 at 11:02 am

      I would like to paint my coffee table.

      Reply
    4. Lisa

      July 28, 2020 at 11:06 am

      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.

      Reply
    5. Kesha

      July 28, 2020 at 11:11 am

      My next painting project is my screened in porch and a couple of pieces of furniture that are in the porch area.

      Reply
    6. Mary Payton

      July 28, 2020 at 11:14 am

      My next painting project will be a wicker loveseat, I was planning on using my Homeright sprayer but it no longer works.

      Reply
    7. Colleen

      July 28, 2020 at 11:16 am

      I have two metal lawn chairs I need to paint. Would love to win the HomeRight paint sprayer!

      Reply
    8. Linda Garcia

      July 28, 2020 at 11:22 am

      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.

      Reply
    9. Ashleigh Hall

      July 28, 2020 at 11:35 am

      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!

      Reply
    10. Yvonne

      July 28, 2020 at 11:38 am

      We need to paint our metal gazebo. The sprayer would really make it easier!

      Reply
    11. Karen Anderson

      July 28, 2020 at 11:42 am

      My garage and my fence are on my to-do list!

      Reply
    12. MaryB

      July 28, 2020 at 11:49 am

      Vintage lawn chairs! This would be perfect.

      Reply
    13. NJ

      July 28, 2020 at 11:54 am

      Planning on painting a bedroom set sooner than later.

      Reply
    14. Lilly Thomas

      July 28, 2020 at 11:59 am

      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!!

      Reply
    15. Noreen

      July 28, 2020 at 11:59 am

      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!

      Reply
    16. Danita

      July 28, 2020 at 12:04 pm

      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

      Reply
    17. Diane

      July 28, 2020 at 12:48 pm

      Love that Blue!!!

      Reply
    18. Mary

      July 28, 2020 at 12:51 pm

      What a beautiful addition to the yard. We need more outside seating when the grandkids come to visit. This would be a perfect addition!

      Reply
    19. grace

      July 28, 2020 at 1:08 pm

      Thank you for the chance, this would be perfect for our next project….painting couple old furnitures!

      Reply
    20. Stephanie B.

      July 28, 2020 at 1:08 pm

      I've always just used cans of spray paint to paint our outdoor furniture. This is another good reason why we need a sprayer!

      Reply
    21. Michelle

      July 28, 2020 at 1:24 pm

      My next painting project is a dresser....a sprayer would make it so much easier!

      Reply
    22. Vickie V

      July 28, 2020 at 1:27 pm

      our moms house. Peeling paint, ugly.

      Reply
    23. Carrie Anders

      July 28, 2020 at 1:29 pm

      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!

      Reply
    24. Karen H

      July 28, 2020 at 1:36 pm

      I have always wanted a sprayer... and what a beautiful job it did on your navy bench! Looks great!

      Reply
    25. Denise Grissom

      July 28, 2020 at 2:11 pm

      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.

      Reply
    26. Tammie

      July 28, 2020 at 2:15 pm

      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.

      Reply
    27. Brenda Haines

      July 28, 2020 at 2:26 pm

      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.

      Reply
    28. mickie mclaughlin

      July 28, 2020 at 2:49 pm

      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

      Reply
    29. Linda Nelson

      July 28, 2020 at 4:23 pm

      I have a rusty garden trellis that is in desperate need of painting.

      Reply
    30. Teresa

      July 28, 2020 at 5:05 pm

      Looks great! would love to try this sprayer. I have a glider begging for a New finish!

      Reply
    31. Heather G

      July 28, 2020 at 6:02 pm

      laundry room

      Reply
    32. Karen

      July 28, 2020 at 6:04 pm

      I need to repaint a table I made of mess of with a paint roller. Yikes, what a disaster! This would help tremendously.

      Reply
    33. Anne Marie

      July 28, 2020 at 7:02 pm

      My next project is painting my outdoor bakers rack that I use for my plants - it is a sad sight.

      Reply
    34. Melissa Storms

      July 28, 2020 at 7:03 pm

      We are redoing my sons room and the next painting project is his walk in closet.

      Reply
    35. Karen

      July 28, 2020 at 7:39 pm

      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.

      Reply
    36. JB Richards

      July 28, 2020 at 8:37 pm

      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.

      Reply
    37. Jamie

      July 28, 2020 at 10:19 pm

      I need to paint the trim on my front and back doors.

      Reply
    38. Katy

      July 28, 2020 at 11:27 pm

      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!!!!

      Reply
    39. Cheryl

      July 29, 2020 at 2:51 am

      I'd like to paint the exterior of our home.

      Reply
    40. Jennifer Miller

      July 29, 2020 at 7:45 am

      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!

      Reply
    41. Lisa Fyffe

      July 29, 2020 at 8:06 am

      This would be great to paint our two decks! Would make the job easier for sure!

      Reply
    42. beverly e

      July 29, 2020 at 10:43 am

      I have an old dresser that needs a refresh. Thanks for the chance to win!

      Reply
    43. Jeremy McLaughlin

      July 30, 2020 at 9:02 am

      To restain our deck.

      Reply
    44. Jackie Burrell

      July 30, 2020 at 10:50 am

      I love the smooth finish it left! I have quite a few things to paint and this would be perfect!

      Reply
    45. Audrey Stewart

      July 30, 2020 at 10:50 am

      I am working on trying to paint my kitchen cabinets.

      Reply
    46. Michelle

      July 30, 2020 at 11:18 am

      Love how the bench turned out! My next painting project is a bookshelf made from pallet wood.

      Reply
    47. Christina

      July 30, 2020 at 1:19 pm

      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 :)

      Reply
    48. Laree

      July 30, 2020 at 7:07 pm

      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!

      Reply
    49. jenny

      July 30, 2020 at 7:14 pm

      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*!

      Reply
    50. travis

      July 30, 2020 at 7:16 pm

      I had no idea you could get such a smooth finish with such a small gun, the finished project looks great!

      Reply
    51. NANCY

      July 30, 2020 at 10:22 pm

      I have a fence I want to paint. Thanks for the chance.

      Reply
    52. Kris Reynolds

      July 31, 2020 at 7:58 am

      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.

      Reply
    53. Cathy R

      July 31, 2020 at 11:18 am

      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!

      Reply
    54. Cathy R

      July 31, 2020 at 11:19 am

      Oh, and we’re in hot, hot, Arizona now, can we use latex outdoor paint? We get very little rain

      Reply
    55. Ann Casey

      July 31, 2020 at 1:31 pm

      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.

      Reply
    56. joey jensen

      July 31, 2020 at 3:41 pm

      i have a bunch of used furniture to redo. need the sprayer!

      Reply
    57. kelly woods

      July 31, 2020 at 9:14 pm

      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 ❤

      Reply
    58. Jenny

      August 04, 2020 at 8:11 pm

      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.

      Reply
    59. stacey

      August 04, 2020 at 8:18 pm

      probably my yard sign

      Reply
    60. Deb Cohen

      August 04, 2020 at 8:18 pm

      this would be perfect we are ready to repaint our garden sheshed

      Reply
    61. Dana Moore

      August 04, 2020 at 8:18 pm

      My next project is bedroom doors

      Reply
    62. GINA ROCK

      August 04, 2020 at 8:20 pm

      My daughter's bedroom needs painting! The rest of the house too.

      Reply
    63. jennifer packwood

      August 04, 2020 at 8:21 pm

      this looks like something perfect for me!

      Reply
    64. Pamela Sloss

      August 04, 2020 at 8:22 pm

      I want to upcycle some furniture from a thrift store.

      Reply
    65. Tami Faurote

      August 04, 2020 at 8:23 pm

      I'm planning on painting my fireplace glass screen. It's gold, and I'm going to paint it bronze.

      Reply
    66. Cassandra D

      August 04, 2020 at 8:31 pm

      A vintage dresser.

      Reply
    67. Beth Embrey

      August 04, 2020 at 8:33 pm

      I have a bunch of metal b irdhouses my grandad made and didnt get painted. I am going to tackle those

      Reply
    68. Kim Avery

      August 04, 2020 at 8:36 pm

      I have some old metal chairs I found at a yard sale I have been wanting to psint.

      Reply
    69. Traci A

      August 04, 2020 at 8:41 pm

      I have old black iron patio furniture I’d love to paint bright primary colors

      Reply
    70. Margaret P.

      August 04, 2020 at 8:41 pm

      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.

      Reply
    71. Brigitte Bauman

      August 04, 2020 at 8:43 pm

      My next project would be to paint my picnic table.

      Reply
    72. Laura Bernard

      August 04, 2020 at 8:43 pm

      I’m painting a 6 piece bedroom set for my daughter! Rose gold and baby pink’

      Reply
    73. Cami Valenzuela

      August 04, 2020 at 8:43 pm

      We plan on painting our metal screen doors soon!

      Reply
    74. gricelda

      August 04, 2020 at 8:45 pm

      Painting my deck!

      Reply
    75. Kelsey Vinson

      August 04, 2020 at 8:48 pm

      Our next painting project will be our porch my husband just rebuilt on the building

      Reply
    76. Meghan Finley

      August 04, 2020 at 8:50 pm

      I am going to repaint the older metal chairs that my mom gave me.

      Reply
    77. Joanne Schultz

      August 04, 2020 at 8:50 pm

      My bathroom is an ugly green.I'd love to paint it a gorgeous cobalt blue, maybe a little lighter.
      Thanks for the giveaway!

      Reply
    78. Vanessa Richard

      August 04, 2020 at 8:51 pm

      I am painting the inside the house but I am wanting to make a picnic table for outside and paint it.

      Reply
    79. Leigh Nichols

      August 04, 2020 at 8:53 pm

      This is really nice- my husband would love it. Our next painting project is the porch railings.

      Reply
    80. Dana Matthews

      August 04, 2020 at 8:54 pm

      This would be perfect to paint a set of wrought iron frogs someone gave my mom years ago. Great giveaway!

      Reply
    81. Misty Rummell

      August 04, 2020 at 8:58 pm

      My next project is painting my backyard swing

      Reply
    82. Jennylyn gross

      August 04, 2020 at 9:05 pm

      My chicken coop

      Reply
    83. Lacey

      August 04, 2020 at 9:05 pm

      My next project will be painting a chest for my daughter.

      Reply
    84. Nikki D.

      August 04, 2020 at 9:07 pm

      We need to paint the entire inside of my house.

      Reply
    85. CHARLENE PEACOCK

      August 04, 2020 at 9:08 pm

      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.

      Reply
    86. Michelle Jeske

      August 04, 2020 at 9:09 pm

      We just finished painting my son's room. Now on to the hallway!

      Reply
    87. Misty Adams

      August 04, 2020 at 9:10 pm

      What a cool project!
      My hubby is currently remodeling my dads house for him. This would be a big help!!

      Reply
    88. Anna Tillou

      August 04, 2020 at 9:12 pm

      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.

      Reply
    89. Naomie

      August 04, 2020 at 9:12 pm

      I have a couple of outdoor metal chairs I would love to paint

      Reply
    90. Heather miller

      August 04, 2020 at 9:13 pm

      My next paint project is our shed.

      Reply
    91. Lanee

      August 04, 2020 at 9:24 pm

      What a cute bench!! I love that color!!!

      Reply
    92. Michelle

      August 04, 2020 at 9:25 pm

      Painting a deck

      Reply
    93. Kim Naumann

      August 04, 2020 at 9:28 pm

      I’m going to be painting some planters next.

      Reply
    94. Kelly

      August 04, 2020 at 9:30 pm

      My deck

      Reply
    95. Kasey Williams

      August 04, 2020 at 9:51 pm

      My next painting project is our small fence in the front yard.

      Reply
    96. Carol Spierdowis

      August 04, 2020 at 9:51 pm

      Great tips on refinishing.

      Reply

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