How to Paint Metal & Iron Furniture That Lasts

Metal is one of the most satisfying surfaces to repaint — a tired iron bench or a brassy old lamp can look completely new in an afternoon. Because chalk paint grips metal without a separate primer, the process is short. Here's the method.

Step 1: Deal with rust and flaking

Any loose rust or flaking old paint has to go, or your new finish will lift with it. Scrape and wire-brush back to a sound surface. You don't need to remove every speck of stable, tightly-bonded old paint — just anything loose.

Step 2: Degrease

Metal often carries oils from manufacturing or hands. Wipe everything down with a degreaser and let it dry. Clean metal is what lets the paint bond.

Step 3: Paint thin coats, work the details

Use a brush to work paint into scrollwork, joints and textured areas, then even it out. Two thin coats give better coverage and durability than one thick one. Chalk It! self-levels, so brush marks soften as it dries.

Step 4: Cure — and weatherproof outdoor pieces

Indoors, the cured matte finish is durable as-is. For patio sets, railings and anything facing rain and sun, add a clear weatherproof top coat once cured. It locks in the color and shrugs off the elements.