If you want something a little more bespoke or grand for your garden, then consider adding a piece of furniture or sculpture with a metal finish.
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For years metal has been the material of choice to add texture and flair to a garden gate, chair, balcony railing, table or window. And, as with other outdoor furniture materials, metal will need ongoing maintenance over the years.
As a fan of metal furniture I am an old hand of revamping and restoring the odd piece of furniture to ensure its longevity at home. I love that craftspeople can bend and twist the material to create swirls and curves, or have it laser cut for a fine intricate pattern. But my idea of comfort is not for everyone. If the thought of sitting on metal furniture leaves you cold and squirming, don’t worry as the right design can offer as comfortable a seat as any other material. Simply adding a cushion to the seat or back will give you greater comfort, and the beauty is you can swap cushions around with the changing seasons for a whole new look for minimal outlay.
If the metal finish is powder coated, which means paint is baked onto a metal surface, the product won’t need maintenance, but rather care taken to avoid chips. To ensure the product doesn’t go on to rust, treat chips and scratches as soon as possible.
Other metal surfaces can include zinc, aluminium, iron, steel or galvanised metal. Wrought iron is a soft metal than will easily rust, but can offer a glorious aged finish if used to make garden art sculptures or privacy screens. Untreated or unfinished steel will also produce a similar effect if exposed to the elements. The durability and lighter weight of aluminium makes it ideal for building, particularly frames for doors and windows.
An alloy is a mixture of two or more metals and is much stronger than the individual components. Steel is one example. Steel is much harder than iron so it is useful for making carports, furniture bases, barbecues and pergolas.
Some types of steel can still rust, so a product will need painting to protect the surface from breaking down. However, metal coated with zinc is galvanised and the coating will stop rust.
As with timber and masonry, choose the appropriate paint to restore the surface of your furniture. There are quite a few metal paint products on shelves at present. White Knight Rust Guard Quick Dry and Hammerite Direct to Galvanised Metal Paint are a couple of choices of galvanised metal paint. The people at Hammerite suggest applying a primer to a non-ferrous metal surface. Once you know the paint to choose, it’s time to gather your materials and start the job. Remember to work in a well-ventilated area.
Materials:
- Furniture piece
- Wire brush or sandpaper
- Bucket, detergent and hose for rinsing
- Metal paint - either in a spray can or tin
- Paint tray and brush, if required
- Newspaper or drop-sheet to protect grass or other surface
- Rags to wipe up any paint drips
- You may wish to wear disposable gloves, as well as protective eyewear if spray painting.
Method:
- Using a wire brush or sandpaper, remove any loose rust and flaking paint from the setting.
- Wash the setting thoroughly with a detergent solution to remove any grease or dirt to ensure the paint will adhere evenly. Rinse with fresh water and allow surface to dry completely.
- Place the clean setting on a drop sheet.
- Using a good-quality brush, apply an even coat of the rust metal paint. The second coat can be applied after a few hours, so check the manufacturer's instructions. For difficult to reach areas choose a paint that comes in a spray can. Consider rescheduling your DIY if the day is too windy and you are working outside.
Ensure the piece is thoroughly dry before using. If you are not going to use your barbecue or outdoor setting for a while, then cover securely to protect it from the elements.
