Aluminum Patio Dining Set: What Paint Should I Use?
An aluminum patio dining set is one of the many staple outdoor furniture items found in homes. Aluminum is very popular for its strength and durability properties that allow it to tolerate the typical outdoor weathers and elements. This can be a great place for the whole family to enjoy breakfast in their garden, or host a small gathering with friends come nighttime. Below are some great examples of aluminum dining sets.
Royal Garden Aluminum Bistro Square Table Set by Jordan Manufacturing Company. A 3-piece bistro set, this aluminum furniture features a foldable table and chairs that allow easy storage. This set is made of an aluminum frame with PS Slats construction.
Euro 5-Pc. Dining Set in White Aluminum Frame / White by PolyWood. The crisp lines of this dining set gives a look that is usually reserved for upscale cafes and restaurants. It is not only relaxing, but effectively displays quintessential minimalist design.
Charter Cast Aluminum Dining Set by Alfresco Home. With 6 stackable chairs and a 60-inch round dining table, this set is made with durable cast aluminum frames that will never rust. It stationary chairs are fully assembled and stacks for easy storage.
Painting is a great way to improve the look of metal furniture. You can paint a metal object after a thorough cleaning. Sand off all rust, or the rust will continue to deteriorate the metal after it is painted. In most cases, priming the metal first is a good idea. However, you may want to have a piece of furniture or metal powder coated for durability.
Primer. Although not always required, using a rust retardant primer is a good way to create a good base for your paint. Primer and metal paints are best sprayed on in a series of thin coats. Let it coat dry completely before applying the next. Automotive primers or consumer grade rust resistant primers should work well. After priming the metal, you now have a good paintable surface and you can start applying your paint.
Paints. There are a number of brands used for painting metal, the most popular of which are Krylon and Rustoleum. If you want, you can use enamel paint over a rust-retardant primer. Metal paints with rust retardants come in various colors, and you can mix the enamel paints to match a custom color to better fit your preferred color scheme.
Powder Coating. Powder coated painting consists of putting powdered paint material over the prepared metal. This is a new method that can only be done by a specialist. The specialist will then heat the metal so the paint will then fuse to it. Powder-coated surfaces are very durable and will last much longer than painted surfaces. However, this method is more expensive than the traditional painting.
Paints that are not designed for metal can have some inherent problems. Soft paints can easily scratch, allowing water to reach the metal and cause rust. Porous paints can also allow water to seep through. Once rust starts to form under the paint, in most cases, the metal should be stripped, sanded and then treated with rust retardant.
