What Kind Of Paint To Use On Outdoor Furniture?

Designing a great outdoor space can add a lot of value to your home, expanding your living area on pleasant days. It’s also an excellent place to entertain or relax over a family dinner, but you need patio furniture to make it work. Instead of buying new, you can revamp what you have, but what kind of paint should you use on outdoor furniture?

The best paint for outdoor furniture is exterior latex paint or spray paint for outdoor use. If the furniture already has a coat of paint, you won’t need to use a primer. But a paint and primer combo spray paint is best for bare wood or metal. If painting plastic outdoor furniture, opt for a paint like Krylon Fusion, specially formulated to work on plastic.

Prepping your patio furniture before painting is as essential as using good quality paint. Saving money is great, but paint isn’t one of those places you want to skimp when it comes to DIY projects.

It makes sense to think that you can use exterior paint since it’s outdoor furniture. And you’d be right to think so. But your best bet is choosing exterior latex or an oil-latex combo paint for your outside chairs, sofas, and other pieces.

The latex paint adheres very well to many surfaces and holds up well against mildew and mold. Latex paint also tends to dry quickly, making it easy to get a couple of coats on your items within a day. You can use it on multiple surfaces, and it’s easy to clean up too.

Acrylic exterior paint isn’t the best choice for outdoor furniture. It’s not 100% waterproof, so depending on the weather, it could wear down faster than you would prefer.

However, if you’re absolutely intent on using acrylics on your patio pieces, use exterior acrylic paint and apply a sealant afterward. Opt for a brush-on or spray varnish and apply once your final coat of paint dries.

Spray paint is ideal for outdoor furniture and can be the best choice in many cases since lots of patio furniture has nooks and crevices. (Think wicker and rattan furniture or intricate iron scrollwork.) Spray paint is also relatively easy to apply, making it DIY-friendly.

But you need to use the right kind of spray paint, or you’ll end up with a bubbly, peeling mess. Mostly, a high-quality spray paint that works on multiple surfaces will work well on outdoor furniture.

If you’re painting furniture that already has a coat of paint, you won’t need to use a primer. But on unfinished plastic, wood, or metal, using a primer is best.

Spray paints like Krylon Colormaxx Paint and Primer work really well and provide excellent coverage on multiple surfaces. You can always check the instructions for your specific paint. Many are all-in-one formulas that state no sanding or priming is necessary. However, if working with a very smooth surface, you might want to put in the extra effort.

If you want to refresh your wood patio furniture, you have a few paint options. You could also opt to use a sealer if you wish to retain the natural look of the wood. But, if you’re ready for a new color, a fresh coat of paint can completely transform your furniture.

Rustoleum’s Painter’s Touch latex paint goes on nicely and works great on wood, metal, and more. It also dries quickly and leaves a smooth finish. You can also get it in spray paint.

Kilz Exterior Siding, Fence, and Barn Paint is another excellent option for all-wood furniture. It has an oil-latex base and is a great option for beginners, hiding minor flaws in the surface for a professional outcome.

It holds up well to all kinds of weather and is resistant to chipping, peeling, and cracking. These qualities make it ideal for outdoor furniture that tends to get wet frequently (for example, not under a patio or cover).

Outdoor spray paints also work well on metal furniture. When painting iron furniture, you want to be especially careful to protect against rust.

Therefore, try Rustoleum’s Stops Rust spray paints in the color of your choice. Before applying, spray a coat of Rustoleum Clean Metal primer or a comparable primer spray paint designed for outdoor use. This adds an extra layer of protection and will even cover lightly rusted surfaces. Make sure to let the primer and paint dry thoroughly in between coats.

If you’re dealing with an already rusted piece, use Rustoleum Rust Reformer paint. If you have bare, unfinished metal that you’d prefer not to paint, you can use Rustoleum Rust Inhibitor to help protect it from corrosion.

It goes on clear, so the natural metal look shines through. Ideally, respray the items every six months for outdoor furniture.

Krylon Fusion Plastic spray paint features a specially formulated composition that bonds to smooth plastic surfaces. It’s also suitable for resin, vinyl, and similar materials, and you can use it for indoor and outdoor applications. Rustoleum also makes a plastic formula that works well for outdoor furniture.

These plastic spray paints typically act as all-in-one applications, so no separate primer is needed. They also come in a wide range of colors, so you have plenty of options when designing your space.

Painting is an excellent way to prolong your patio furniture’s lifespan and give it a fresh look. But using the right paint is essential; otherwise, you’ll end up with peeling, bubbling, or cracking paint. Exterior latex paints work well on outdoor furniture, and spray paint delivers some of the most effective and easiest DIY jobs.

Krylon Fusion All-In-One works well on most surfaces, including wood, metal, and plastic. Another great pick for outdoor furniture is Krylon Colormaxx Paint + Primer. So if you have multiple items in various materials, these are excellent choices.

Rustoleum’s Stops Rust spray paints are ideal for protecting metal furniture from the elements. If you’re working with an already rusted item, use Rust Reformer to give it new life.

Specially formulated plastic spray paints like Krylon Fusion Plastic and Rustoleum Plastic adhere well to smooth surfaces. These paints provide quick dry times, making most of your patio furniture projects doable in one day.

But choosing high-quality paint is just the first step. Proper prep work is key to a successful, professional-looking paint job. Clean and dry furniture entirely before painting. Sand and prime first where necessary, and let each coat dry thoroughly between applications.