Using Chalk Paint on Metal Patio Furniture

We’re sharing tips and tricks for using chalk paint on metal patio furniture today!

Long before our front porch looked like this…

it looked like this…

Truthfully, the metal patio furniture set served us well for a while. But once my cottage-loving heart laid eyes on the white vintage wicker couches and chairs, it changed everything.

Before I could get the couches though, I had to sell the patio furniture.

Way back in the day, I used to sell vintage home decor and painted furniture items in several antique booths around town. One afternoon, I got a call that a 9-drawer dresser which was the largest piece of furniture in my booth had sold and was about to leave a gaping hole.

Thankfully, I immediately thought about this metal patio furniture set and it help save the day!

The only problem was that it was black and not at all the vintage and cottage-inspired pieces my customers were shopping for.

I knew it could be transformed by using chalk paint on the metal patio furniture pieces though.

Here are a few tips and tricks for using chalk paint on metal patio furniture…

Chalk Painting Supplies:

• Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Country Grey and Old White
• Paintbrush
• Tarp
• Microfiber Cleaning Cloth

Chalk Painting Steps:

Lay a tarp down to protect your work surfaces.

Be sure your metal patio furniture pieces are free from dirt and debris. We wiped our set down with a damp microfiber cleaning cloth.

Once your pieces are clean and dry, begin using chalk paint to paint your metal patio furniture. We used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Country Grey on the chairs and Old White on the table base.

I used two coats of chalk paint on each chair.

To be perfectly honest, it would be so much easier to use a paint sprayer for this project because it took a lot longer than I expected.

Chairs usually do!

After the chairs were painted and dry, I decided to paint the base of the table in Old White also using two coats of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

Here’s a look at the table base before…

And after…

Truth be told, I was a little nervous about using chalk paint on metal patio furniture. According to the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint website, there’s generally no need to add a topcoat to metal pieces.

That said if your patio pieces will be outside uncovered and continuously exposed to the weather elements you’ll want to use their paint lacquer as a varnish as an added layer of protection.

Taking Time to Enjoy the Sunset…

All in all, I’m happy with the way using chalk paint on metal patio furniture transformed these pieces.

It took me a full day to hand paint this patio set which is why I think using the paint sprayer would have helped save time and also given the set a better coverage.

I was so tired by the time I finished painting all those curves!

In fact, I had a, “How am I going to get this done!” moment of panic as the sun was starting to set.

It was one of those moments where you either have to let it go and breathe it out or let it dictate the rest of your night.

On this night, I chose good wine, good food, good friends, and a beautiful sunset.

I know this is a busy time of year for all of us so I just want to gently remind you, that we always have a choice.

Even when things get really hectic.

So don’t forget to give yourself the gift of calm whenever you can, as often as you can.

Let us know if you have any tips and tricks for using chalk paint on metal patio furniture! Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Other Furniture Makeovers to Enjoy:

Miss Mustard Seed Milk Painted Dresser in Marzipan

Adding a White Paint Wash to Farmhouse Furniture

French Country Desk Makeover

Many blessings,

CoCo