How to Fix Up & Renew Backyard Chairs

By Laura Foster-Bobroff, Networx

Summer is the time for outdoor grill parties or sitting on a deck on a hot summer night sipping cold drinks. Whether you’re a refurbishing beginner or a carpentry expert, it’s time to drag those worn backyard chairs out of the shed or restore a yard sale treasure using these simple guidelines:

PLASTIC CHAIRS (Skill Level: Beginner): Chairs made of plastic composites need only to be cleaned with mild, soapy water and rinsed with a hose. Set the nozzle head on high to remove stubborn dirt or use a pressure sprayer on low setting. Let dry thoroughly. Once dry, lay them out on a large drop cloth. Spray paint them with paint made especially for plastic, following manufacturer’s instructions for application and cure time between coats. Feeling adventurous? Atlanta painter Kass Wilson published some great ideas for faux finishing plastic and fiberglass, which you could try on your backyard chairs.

METAL or WROUGHT IRON (Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate): Metal chairs with scratches or rust spots can be taken care of by sanding the worst places with coarse or medium grit sandpaper. Wipe with a damp cloth, then apply a spray primer containing rust preventative. Once dry, give them two coats of exterior grade spray paint, waiting the recommended time in between coats. For ornate wrought iron chairs with cushions, remove the cushions first, or tape over them to prevent damage from overspray. A stiff wire brush will effectively remove any rust and stubborn dirt. Wipe thorough with a damp, textured cloth to remove small particles, or use a tack cloth before priming and painting. Spray paints come in basic colors, but can be found in textured, hammered, bronze or verdigris finishes, all of which are fairly easy to apply and give you a modern, traditional or vintage look.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Angel C.

1:30AM PDT on Jul 27, 2012

Thanks for the tips :)

July 27
send a green star

Lindsay K.

9:45AM PDT on Jul 2, 2012

Helpful, thanks

July 2
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Winn A.

7:14PM PDT on Jun 30, 2012

Thank you for the information.

June 30
send a green star

Liese S.

4:46AM PDT on Jun 30, 2012

Just remember to wear a dust mask when spray painting - a little uncomfortable in the hot weather but your lungs will thank you!

I've seen some neat chairs woven with old ties too.

For fabric cushions, visit the fabric store's remnant section, pillow size amounts at 1/2 off. Or, in my town, an upholstery store has a bin/table with pieces for $2.