Metal Chairs Makeover

These metal/wire ice cream parlor chairs have been in our family since our kids were little. We found them at a flea market and they served for many years as our kitchen table chairs before becoming mainly outside chairs (we’ve never been able to win the wood-floor vs. metal chair-leg battle…).

Because they have arms, they are more precious than the regular armless chairs in this style (or so I’ve read), so I’ve felt a bit bad about the neglect they’ve suffered recently.

Not only have they suffered through the weather, they’ve also had to suffer the puppy/chew-everything-in-sight stage our dog, Samson, was in for at least a year after we got him.

And I mean everything. Flipflops, clothes, rugs, dog bed, all-weather planters, wood moldings attached to the wall.

Even the ends of the wood arms on these chairs, which actually made me teary when I first discovered it (of course I didn’t take a picture of the worst damage ’cause I didn’t think I’d mention the nasty gouges and I must’ve thought to spare you the heartache).

Sheesh. Didn’t he know they were special?

Ha! Maybe he did.

Anyway, they needed some desperate attention. And like a lot of cast-off items you may find, they almost seemed like they were too far gone. As in, ruined.

But it truly is amazing what some time, sand paper, and that coverer-of-a-multitude-of-sins (aka, paint) can do – so don’t turn away quickly from items that may seem hopeless.

They may be – say it with me – “a diamond in the rough.”

Or…they might not and you’ll be wise to pass said items by. BUT, you’ll have thought about it, wouldn’t you?

The paint needed for any metal chair restoration consists of mainly two types: a metal primer to help cover the rusty areas and a good-quality spray paint.

Since our chairs had wood seats and arms I also brushed on a water-based furniture paint on those areas before spraying with the black paint.

The steps are pretty much the same for all types of metal surfaces:

• Sand with paper where you can
• Sand with a wire brush to try and remove the rest of any flaking paint and rusty areas (though I’ve learned you’ll never get all the rust)
• Spray with the metal primer (usually when you just can’t stand the thought of that wire brush anymore…)

They look like their old selves again – only better. And classier. I definitely think black is the best color I’ve had on them yet.

I’m glad I didn’t give up on these, ’cause now I have some cute chairs for the gazebo.

Have you ever revived something you thought was a goner?

This is day 5 in our series (you can click on the button to see all the posts in the category). If you’re wondering what’s up, you can read the introduction to 31 Days of Thrift Store Transformations here. And though these weren’t bought in an actual thrift store, I’m really using the term “thrift store” to stand for anything you buy used (and cheap!), be it from a store, garage/estate sale, flea market…whatever. It all just wouldn’t fit on the button…

This is linked to the Spray Paint Party at Thistlewood Farms.

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