Compass Greater NY, LLC
Ann Marie Damashek, GRI, CBR, SRES, Compass Greater NY, LLCPhone: (917) 623-0624
Email: [email protected]

DIY: Repainting Metal Patio Furniture

by Ann Marie Damashek, GRI, CBR, SRES 01/10/2021

Image by MikesPhotos from Pixabay

The bistro table and chairs or patio set that welcomed your guests to gather outdoors and gave your porch a pop of color is now less than beautiful with its peeling paint and orange-brown crust.  Your outdoor space deserves a freshening up and the best way to go about it for both your budget and the environment is to rescue your already well-loved furniture.  Upcycling keeps old items that actually still have potential out of landfills, costs much less than purchasing a whole new product, and makes for an entertaining weekend project.  It also gives you free rein to choose a new finish for your old furniture.

Even if your chairs and table have already begun to rust, it is very possible to salvage them for further years of use.  If you like, take this opportunity to try a new color, or colors, of paint.

Cleaning and Preparation

Place furniture on a layer of old newspaper for easy cleanup of rusted paint flake and secure eye protection before you begin.  Find or purchase a tough wire brush and slough off any peeling pieces of rust.  For the remaining pieces that are more difficult to remove, use an electric sander.  Finish off the sanding with coarse sand paper for the bends and joints, folding the paper to get in the small places as best you can.  The rust color and appearance may still be visible, which is fine as long as you get most of the grit off and get the surface smooth.  

Next, clean the furniture to ready it for repainting.  Scrub with a vinegar and water mix or a baking sode and lemon juice combination, then clean with alcohol if needed.  Apply at least two coats of a primer specifically formulated to discourage rust, being sure the solution reaches all joints and crevices.  Let dry completely between each coat, preferably outside on a warm, dry day.  Any place you choose should be open and airy for safety. 

Painting  

The best choice of paint is a rust-proof outdoor formula.  Coat furniture with paint in a light layer, let dry completely, and then apply two to three more coats, letting dry each time.  Restore your set to the same color, try a new neutral shade to complement your space, or take a cue from the mismatched teacups and china trend and use two complementary colors for mismatched chairs.  Gently sand away any drips or pooled paint with sandpaper.

For the strongest protection from the weather and to put more protective anti-rust layers between your furniture and the elements, finish with a weather-resistant clear coat.

About the Author
Author

Ann Marie Damashek, GRI, CBR, SRES

Ann Marie Damashek has always been a natural at helping people prepare their homes for sale. She started out with a successful business selling goods for people on eBay. "Nine times out of ten they were hiring me because they were down-sizing,” Ann Marie says. "So I decided to get my license. I said, ‘Might as well sell their house too.’” The transition was a smooth one and for nine years she’s had a thriving full-time real estate business that allows her to marry her entrepreneurial spirit with her passion for helping others. With an office in Larchmont, New York, she serves all of Lower Westchester County, with her primary market in the Sound Shore region. The majority of her business is "sphere of influence” with former clients referring her to friends and family. A gifted communicator, Ann Marie quickly builds trust and rapport with her clients by being both thoughtful and responsive; she understands that during the purchase or sale of a home, a quick response time is crucial. "I am very accessible,” Ann Marie says. "I always make time for my clients. They can call me, text me, email me up until 10 o’clock at night and I will respond. I’m available on weekends. I get back to people very promptly. I’m very customer service-oriented.” Her clients appreciate her professionalism, passion and enthusiasm and as a result her repeat and referral rate continues to grow each year. While selling real estate is serious business, Ann Marie knows that at times humor and a moment of levity can be a relief to clients. While she has a laidback and easygoing personality, she can be assertive when needed on her clients’ behalf. She loves being of service to them, and the continually changing nature of the work keeps her engaged and fulfilled. "It’s never boring,” Ann Marie enthuses. "Every day is different. That’s probably what I like most about it. But I also enjoy helping people sell or buy and educating them about the process. I love helping them achieve their goals.” This ethic of service has resulted in well-deserved recognition. Ann Marie has received the Westchester Magazine Five Star Real Estate Agent Rating four years running, in 2015 and 2016 she was the #1 agent in her office, and she’s a Zillow 5-Star Premier Agent. To keep in touch with former clients, Ann Marie sends cards to mark special occasions or reaches out via email. To market her listings, Ann Marie uses Multiple Listing Services (MLS), as well as Listingbook.com, a service that allows both agents and their clients access to MLS data. She also uses a Facebook business page and ads to boost new listings or promote upcoming open houses. "That drives a tremendous amount of traffic,” Ann Marie says. She also uses the most popular real estate websites such as Zillow and Trulia. A strong believer in giving back, Ann Marie sits on the Board of Trustees of her church and is involved in a variety of social justice projects. She’s affiliated with Furniture Sharehouse, a furniture bank for Westchester County, which collects and distributes gently used furniture free of charge to those in need. "I love it on so many levels because as a realtor, it’s helps my sellers downsize through charitable donations. I like the environmental aspect of it as well. And it helps people who truly need things.” She’s also involved in Impact 100, a women’s philanthropic giving organization. In her free time, Ann Marie enjoys gardening, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. For the future, Ann Marie wants to continue expanding her business and developing her brand, and she someday hopes to grow a strong team. But her main goal is to stay in the real estate business, helping her clients to achieve their dreams.