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Young House Love » Our Second House » Spray Painting A Metal Outdoor Patio Set

| By Sherry Petersik | July 14, 2011 | 288 Comments

Spray Painting A Metal Outdoor Patio Set

Waste not, want not. That was my attitude when it came to using up the rest of the oil-rubbed bronze spray paint from this project that I had leftover. So I turned my attention to the mismatched patio furniture that we inherited from the previous owners (seen here in an old photo with my dearly departed ceramic dog, sniffle).

Outdoor Back Patio

Sure, I like painting things white (and white ceramic animals, and white chocolate among other snow-colored objects) but sometimes white things outside = grungy. As this shot demonstrates, any time it rained little dirt and leaves splashed into the crevices of the table and looked all grubby.

Old Table White1

Parts of it were peeling too:

Old Table White2

And you should have seen this guy in March/April in the height of allergy season. Yeah, it was fuzzy and yellow. So I figured a coat of ORB spray paint could cure his everything-shows issue. And unify those chipping black chairs.

Patio Chair Peeling

So I just dragged everything out to the yard, set them down on items from our recycle bin (namely magazines & cardboard boxes)…

Chair Before Spray

White Table Before Spray

… and sprayed away.

Table Sprayed

Especially satisfying? Taking the nasty parts like this…

Patio Chair Peeling

… to this (gotta love that ORB glistening-in-the-sun phenomenon):

Patio Chairnotpeeling

Voila.

Table Sprayed0

Patio Sprayed

Table Sprayed2

Update: Here’s an affiliate link to the spray paint we used over on Amazon for anyone who can’t find it in stores. 

Base Sprayed

The whole shebang took about an hour and a half. Maybe two if you count brushing everything with a stiff brush (from our dust pan) to shake all the junk off, and carrying stuff out to the grass and back after they were dry. Oh and it took another can of ORB to get all three pieces done, but we figure spending a little more for that second can and using the rest of our leftover one (from this project) sure beats investing in new patio furniture.

Patio After00

Patio After Last

You might not see it yet, but adding some pillows (or chair pads), some swagged bulb lights, and a few other festive patio accessories might just take this old set from drab to fab. Yes I just said drab to fab (she types as she buries her head in her hands).

What have you guys been spray painting lately? Any outdoor chillaxing going on? Anyone shocked that I didn’t paint everything white instead of ORB? Anyone turn this post into a drinking game (and sip every time I mention that three letter abbreviation)? Just went back and counted, but I only said it three times. Not enough: ORB, ORB, ORB. There, done.

More posts from Young House Love

Filed Under: Furniture & Building, Our Second House, Outside, Painting

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Comments

  1. Avatar for kathykathy says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:38 pm

    Thanks so much for this perfect post! I’m about to spray paint some patio chairs almost identical to the ones you show here. I just got them with a table at a local 2nd hand store! I love your table more though!!

    Reply
  2. Avatar for Brianne FranklinBrianne Franklin says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:38 pm

    ORB is in the hizzz-ouse.

    Reply
  3. Avatar for KiTX @ The Big GratefulKiTX @ The Big Grateful says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:39 pm

    Is ORB safe to use on just about surface/medium? I feel like I should know this with my obsessive reading of YHL and your ORB obsession, but… I don’t. And I have a patio set that is metal and wood; I’m curious how it would turn out.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      July 14, 2011 at 2:41 pm

      I think the stuff we used is for metal and wood (and plastic) so it should work. Thin and even coats are key!

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for BethBeth says

      July 15, 2011 at 8:05 am

      I have used ORB on my plastic switchplates in my kitchen, hinges, and I am toying with the idea of doing the doorknobs, so I bet it’s fine for most anything! If you use the plastic primer first, you can even use it on items from your recycling bin…you may laugh, but I have done it. ORB can be an illness.

  4. Avatar for JaimeJaime says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:39 pm

    It looks good.

    Reply
  5. Avatar for KathyKathy says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:39 pm

    Just painted a 4 piece wicker set (settee, 2 chairs and a coffee table) I purchased at a consignment shop. Spray painted it brown and plan on spraying a laquer on it to help preserve it a little longer for outdoors. I only paid $150 for the whole set! Can’t wait to finish it, find some discount outdoor cushions to put on them…and, then enjoy our back deck!

    Reply
    • Avatar for SS says

      July 15, 2011 at 12:30 pm

      Kathy I recently did the same! Gotta say, spray painting wicker is ANNOYING – everytime I looked at it from a different angle I was missing spots! So worth it though, our wicker set was left by the previous owners and several bottles of spray paint and new cushions were much cheaper than a new set! Try overstock.com for cushions, I got a 3 piece set for about $50, which didn’t seem too bad compared to Lowe’s/Home Depot etc.

  6. Avatar for Kristen @ Popcorn on the StoveKristen @ Popcorn on the Stove says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:40 pm

    The table & chairs turned out amazing! It looks like something you would end up paying big bucks for!

    Reply
  7. Avatar for MandyMandy says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:40 pm

    Your couch leg project forced me to go out and buy the same stuff and spray my fireplace screen. Love that stuff, but I’m having a hard time with the bottle — like it’s hard to get started. I have another bottle I’m going to use to update my ugly brass fixtures in the guest bath. Love this stuff!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Julia @ Chris loves JuliaJulia @ Chris loves Julia says

      July 14, 2011 at 3:56 pm

      Mandy,

      I once bought a can that was hard to get started, too! It actually ended up squirting all over my hands. Must have been bad luck, because every can after that (and there have been quite a few) has been just fine for us.

  8. Avatar for Krysta @ Domestic for DummiesKrysta @ Domestic for Dummies says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:40 pm

    We did this exact same project last year! Such an amazing difference!

    Reply
  9. Avatar for my honest answermy honest answer says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:41 pm

    I can’t believe how great it looks! Well worth a can and a half of spray paint.

    Reply
  10. Avatar for Megan BrewerMegan Brewer says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:41 pm

    We’ve got the same black chairs on our screened-in porch. We found them in our neighbor’s trash by their curb. They were white then. We were happy to give them rebirth as black wrought iron chairs after a can or 2 of black spray paint:

    http://cottagebluedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/07/plant-love.html

    Happy decorating & living-
    Megan

    Reply
  11. Avatar for DanielleDanielle says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:41 pm

    Wow, It looks awesome! I love spray painting furniture but I don’t have a good outdoor space to do it. So Jealous of home owners with big yards, I would be a spray painting maniac!

    Reply
  12. Avatar for SharonSharon says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:41 pm

    It looks fantastic; much better than the original white color. I don’t like the grungy look and that was definitely strolling down the grungy lane. You have given that set new life so ENJOY !!

    Reply
  13. Avatar for marlimarli says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:42 pm

    looks much better! ORB LUST IS UPON ME. =)

    Reply
    • Avatar for MichelleLGMichelleLG says

      July 14, 2011 at 5:22 pm

      marli, agreed! i am feeling the lust too… off to find something to paint!

  14. Avatar for AmandaAmanda says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:42 pm

    Looks great! Did you do any sanding on the chairs before you sprayed it? Or did the paint “fill in” the chips?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      July 14, 2011 at 2:49 pm

      Nah I didn’t sand, but a few thin coats filled things in really well. Maybe if you felt around you might tell, but by sight they’re invisible.

      xo,
      s

  15. Avatar for Christy KChristy K says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:42 pm

    When I get back home I will for sure be buying me a can of this ORB! LOL! I’ve been wondering if they really did have something of this sort.

    Reply
  16. Avatar for Jessica SingletaryJessica Singletary says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:43 pm

    Looks amazing!

    Reply
  17. Avatar for MaiMai says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:43 pm

    I love it! It looks brand new like you just bought it :)

    Reply
  18. Avatar for VanessaVanessa says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:44 pm

    I’m starting to worry that if John stays still long enough you might spray paint him.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      July 14, 2011 at 2:51 pm

      Could happen!

      xo,
      s

  19. Avatar for karenkaren says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:44 pm

    very nice! now you need to put some containers out there with fantastic flowers or better yet…boxwood!

    Reply
  20. Avatar for MonicaMonica says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:44 pm

    I love the way it turned out! We’ve been needing some new patio furniture at our house. I’ve tried to think of ways to re-vamp it as-is, but it’s PVC pipe with rubber-ish/vinyl woven seats that are fraying apart.

    Thanks for all the awesome ideas on the daily!

    Reply
  21. Avatar for LaurenLauren says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:47 pm

    Niiiiice! I just spray painted the base of our diving board. I actually used a primer first to kill/prevent the rust it was already accumulating. It was my first spray paint job ever, and I have to say I now have the itch to do more! It is so addicting to see fast transformations!

    Reply
  22. Avatar for MelMel says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:47 pm

    Thank you for this post. I will now use it to convince my husband to paint our patio set. Wish me luck!

    Reply
  23. Avatar for JenJen says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:48 pm

    I’ve been spray painting a bunch of stuff with ORB paint lately… just did door knobs, hinges, and cabinet pulls for the vanity that were all brass when we bought our house. Next up are some great big wall letters for the kitchen and the legs of a Craigslist coffee table that I’m going to turn into an upholstered ottoman. I love spray paint!

    Reply
  24. Avatar for NancyNancy says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:48 pm

    I must say they do look fab! (you said it first) I am currently spray painting a wooden screen door (after hours…days?) of removing paint. I highly recommend wearing a mask when working in the garage (she says after the fact…Yes, I have perfect hindsight!). I have had a spraypaint hangover for 3 days now!

    Reply
  25. Avatar for Brianne FranklinBrianne Franklin says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:48 pm

    Wow, I just totally embarassed myself with the first comment I left. *ducks* I am such a dork, LOL!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      July 14, 2011 at 3:39 pm

      You are not! Haha. We have the dork thing covered.

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for CarrieCarrie says

      July 14, 2011 at 4:02 pm

      I laughed! :)

    • Avatar for NoelNoel says

      July 14, 2011 at 7:58 pm

      You mean with the hizzz-ouse? Haha, no worries- fellow dork here too! I once called Home Depot “Home to the Po” and my fiance wanted to die. :)

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      July 14, 2011 at 10:16 pm

      That’s catchy. I call it Home Deep Ots sometimes. You know, put the wrong emphasis on the wrong syllable. Haha.
      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for NoelNoel says

      July 14, 2011 at 11:24 pm

      I do that too!! Haha

  26. Avatar for Sarah R.Sarah R. says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    I’m spray painting a brass chandelier. It’s going to be black and will hang in my office. I want to paint the metal railing on my deck, but can’t decide what color. It’s tan right now and looks kind of old ladyish…probably because this was an old lady’s house before I bought it.

    Reply
  27. Avatar for ElizabethElizabeth says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    Yup. That is certainly fab.

    Reply
  28. Avatar for Mary ThomasMary Thomas says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    Wow, this looks amazing! ORB does look way better outside. I can’t believe what a quick improvement that made, with the glowing-in-the-sunshine effect and all. It’s spray-heaven over there this week. I would like to say that I used Ben’s nap today to… do nothing and read your blog. Do nothing as in I’ve been hungry for the last thirty minutes and really should consider feeding myself. Wow. Can you believe ORB can distract me that way? Me neither.

    Reply
  29. Avatar for skyeskye says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    thanks. now i’m drunk at work.

    i have some macrame chairs that my hubby’s grammy made a long time ago that i would love to spray ORB so that the colors of the chair really stand out! (you can see them here in the last pictures: http://neatheringourfest.blogspot.com/2011/03/front-yard-overhaul.html)
    alas, i’m pretty sure if i do that i will be disowned from the family. so until further notice i will just have to live vicariously through your ORB patio furniture…

    (oops – i said it twice more. sloshed.)

    Reply
  30. Avatar for TaraTara says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    My most recent spray painting project: http://cottage1910.blogspot.com/2011/03/shiny-shiny.html

    But I have a few in mind to do in the next few weeks if the rain will hold off!

    Reply
  31. Avatar for RebeccaRebecca says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    Very NICE!

    Reply
  32. Avatar for LindseyLindsey says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    Looks so much better!!

    I just painted some cabinet hardware in ORB in my kids’ bathroom. Figured I test those before I move on to the kitchen! So far they’re holding up!!

    Slowly getting rid of the nasty gold EVERYTHING!! we inherited with our house.

    Reply
  33. Avatar for ClaudiaClaudia says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:50 pm

    i love that ornate pedestal and the ORB color! i have been painting everything turquoise and a sort of yellowy green, most recently a tray I use on our TV console and brings a nice pop of color.

    Reply
  34. Avatar for AprilApril says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:51 pm

    So funny because I too have been on a spray painting binge here recently. I’ve spray painted some primitive metal stars red to go in my son’s already blue and red room. I also spray painted my kitchen cabinet hinges when I repainted the cabinets and got new ORB pulls. It sure beats having to find and buy all new ones!!

    Reply
  35. Avatar for LaurenLauren says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:52 pm

    WOW! What a difference! You guys are so inspiring. I mean I have the urge to go buy a bunch of cans of spray paint and just randomly start spraying things around the house :-)

    Reply
  36. Avatar for JennyJenny says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:52 pm

    I couldn’t find small black end tables that I liked for our deck, so I bought 3 small plant stands at Ikea and spray painted them shiny black. Also a wrought iron table for next to the grill…found the right style at Home Goods but it was ivory so I spray painted that too. Your ORB table and chairs look great, and brand new. I’m a believer.

    Reply
  37. Avatar for Mary @ stylefylesMary @ stylefyles says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:52 pm

    Love the updates! I’m guessing the chairs and table weren’t a set originally, since they were different colors? The reason I ask is because they totally look like they were purchased as a set after your spray paint work….nice job! And that color is fantastic!!!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      July 14, 2011 at 2:54 pm

      Yeah I think they were separates. The chairs matched each other but not the table. So happy a little ORB unified them.

      xo,
      s

  38. Avatar for Lisa | Life in GreenLisa | Life in Green says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:53 pm

    Looks so good! It really is so amazing what a can of spray paint can do…especially for outdoor stuff!

    I did a couple outdoor painting projects this summer: http://thelifeingreen.com/2011/06/12/2011-outdoor-projects/

    Reply
  39. Avatar for ElisabethElisabeth says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:54 pm

    Sherry, you are my spray paint hero and spray paint queen!
    Do you take this “new” good looking patio furniture for Claras monthly birthday picture?
    Elisabeth

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      July 14, 2011 at 2:55 pm

      Oh yeah her pic! We plan to squeeze that in this afternoon.

      xo,
      s

  40. Avatar for rosita designsrosita designs says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:54 pm

    wowza! that’s awesome – i don’t think i’m familiar with the ORB spray paint, so we might have to get acquainted!

    i just recently used spraypaint to create this:
    http://rositadesigns.blogspot.com/2011/06/graphic-wall-art-tutorial.html

    Reply
  41. Avatar for Kristin FKristin F says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:55 pm

    I’ve been meaning to thank you, you got me totally turned on to ORB spray paint from an older post. We used it to turn an aged, formerly white-but-was-yellow-with-dirt-and-grime fan to looking new and spiffy. Our screened in porch had this sad fan when we bought the house. My husband was thinking of just replacing it when we painted the wood trim white and the ceiling sky blue as it stood out like a sore thumb. Instead, I channeled my inner Sher-dog and said “spray paint ‘er!”. We did the fan housing the ORB, and blades a shiny black. My parents thought we’d bought a new fan it looks so sa-weet! With the remaining ORB, we painted a similarly yellowed plastic outside thermometer that hangs on the porch. The only sad part of this tale is I have yet to use the ORB on its initial purpose: interior doorknobs and hinges.

    Reply
  42. Avatar for KimKim says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:56 pm

    Does anyone know if you can you spray paint bamboo furniture?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      July 14, 2011 at 3:17 pm

      Hmm, I think Rustoleum All Surface might work. Anyone know?

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for AnnAnn says

      July 15, 2011 at 1:41 pm

      YES! I found a bamboo table with a glass top at an estate sale & spray painted it black to match the rest of my outdoor furniture and it looks great! It is actually easier to spray-paint than wicker because you don’t have all those weird crevices you miss if you don’t spray it from EVERY SINGLE ANGLE IMAGINABLE – lol…

  43. Avatar for AmandaAmanda says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:56 pm

    It looks fantastic. I heart ORB spray paint (“put an ORB on it” is now a phrase in my house). I just ORBed a $10 light to make it look like something from restoration hardware. So much nicer.

    My other project was removing 9+ layers of wallpaper and paint, plaster and sand, and then paint my closet’s closet. It looks so much better now (and the paint was leftover from another project which means FREE!).

    Reply
  44. Avatar for SarahSarah says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:56 pm

    Hopefully the previous owners don’t read your blog…they’re going to want their patio furniture back!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      July 14, 2011 at 3:16 pm

      Haha, they do read occasionally. Uh oh! Haha.

      xo,
      s

  45. Avatar for Rachel TatemRachel Tatem says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:56 pm

    That looks great! Great “not wasting” ;P

    Reply
  46. Avatar for GiuliaGiulia says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:56 pm

    Yup, just spray painted chairs for my girls birthday party. Purple really took them from super craigslist drab to party fab ;)

    http://fishly-fishly.blogspot.com/2011/07/nine-dollar-party-investment.html

    Big improvement on your set – do you use a special nozzle on your spray can?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      July 14, 2011 at 3:19 pm

      Nope, I just spray right from the can. I love the trigger design though. So handy.

      xo,
      s

  47. Avatar for tiatia says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:57 pm

    i painted my brown outdated kitchen cabinets white and spray painted the hinges and hardware silver. turned out just right!

    Reply
    • Avatar for JaimeJaime says

      July 14, 2011 at 11:34 pm

      We spray painted our kitchen hardware silver, too. So much cheaper than buying everything new… We have had issues with some of the paint on the knobs rubbing off. Any ideas?

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      July 14, 2011 at 11:37 pm

      Maybe try sanding and then use spray primer before respraying them again (high quality paint helps too!).

      xo,
      s

  48. Avatar for cafenoHutcafenoHut says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:57 pm

    What a lovely set. And It looks better with black. Maybe after a while when you get bored from this color, you can paint it fresh green or yellow…
    I thought that Yellow will be better…

    Reply
  49. Avatar for lifebeginsatthirtyrightlifebeginsatthirtyright says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:57 pm

    Looks great! We just recently did a quick spray on some Craigslist chairs.

    http://lifebeginsatthirtyright.blogspot.com/2011/06/inspired-by.html

    Spray paint is the best :-)

    Reply
  50. Avatar for Karen JKaren J says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:59 pm

    It looks so much better. But I’m not sure ORB is the best “outdoor” color either. Seems like you need something more dirt/dust colored (with a swap out for all yellow furniture in the pollen season)! We have an ORB pergola and it shows too much dust/dirt for me. Keep us posted on the “dirt show” factor, K?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      July 14, 2011 at 3:18 pm

      Will do! So far (after a big rain storm and lots of leaves dropping) only the glass is dirty on top.

      xo,
      s

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John and Sherry smiling against pink backgroundHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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