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How to Spray Paint Metal Chairs

Transform metal chairs for just the cost of spray paint! Instead of buying new chairs, paint what you have. How to spray paint metal chairs in a quick afternoon!

Spray paint is the fastest way to transform metal furniture while also maintaining a long lasting finish. Read on for our tried-and-true methods for that perfect look!

Check out how to transform metal chairs for just the cost of spray paint! Get a whole new look instead of buying new chairs, paint what you have! Spray paint is a quick and easy way to transform metal furniture while still maintaining a long lasting finish, get our pro tips here! #howtospraypaintfurniture #howtospraypaintmetalchairs #furniturepaintingtips #howtopaintchairs #howtopaintoutdoorfurniture

How to spray paint metal chairs

We’ve been painting furniture since 2007 and consequently, have learned a thing or two along the way! When I started my recent dining room makeover (full reveal here!), I wasn’t sure my aqua metal chairs would fit in.

Subsequently, I decided to make them over with the cost of a few cans of spray paint rather than replacing them which would cost me several hundred dollars.

I perused Home Depot for the right boho farmhouse dining room chair color and stumbled upon Copper Rose. It was a warm, pinky/brown metallic color and surprisingly, the most perfect shade for a boho style room.

Check out how I spray painted 8 metal chairs for just over $50 and saved myself hundreds of dollars in the process! (I used 7 cans total for 8 chairs, spraying the underneath side as well, to give you an idea of how many cans you’ll need.)

Supplies to spray paint metal chairs

Supplies Needed:

*Note: some links may be affiliate links which means we may earn a small commission per sale and NO EXTRA cost to you.

Easy painted chair tutorial: just a few steps to change your metal chair color for just the cost of spray paint! #diypaintedchairs #metalchairmakeover #howtopaintmetalchairs #chairmakeoveridea #howtopaintoutdoorfurniture

More furniture painting tutorials

How to Spray Paint furniture

Firstly, prepare the surface of your chair to be spray painted. This starts with having a clean surface:

  • Wipe down any stickiness or dirt from chairs using soapy water.
  • If it’s really bad, use Krud Kutter as it will certainly get any leftover crud off. Then, wipe clean with soapy water.
  • Let surface dry completely.

Tip: If any rust or old paint is flaking, use a wire brush to remove it. Wipe clean.

SAND

Next, sand the furniture down. Whether it’s because it’s in bad condition and has rust spots or is perfectly smooth (like mine today are), sanding it will give the new paint something to grip so give it a quick sand, regardless.

How to prep metal furniture for spray painting: clean then sand before priming and painting. Get our pro tips here! #howtopaintmetalchairs #paintingmetalfurniture #howtospraypaintchairs #howtospraypaintfurniture

PRIME

Note that this step is only generally necessary if you’re not using a paint and primer in one.

  1. Starting with the underside of you chairs, hold the can of primer 6-8″ from the surface, spray with a sweeping motion side to side, slightly overlapping.
  2. Let it dry for ten minutes, flip upside up.
  3. Prime the top of the chairs using the same sweeping process. Paint in light coats to avoid drips.
  4. Wait 30-60 seconds in between coats until its fully coated.
  5. After ten minutes of dry time, you’re ready for paint!

Note: If your project is still “tacky”, wait until it’s fully dry to start painting.

FAQ: Do you have to prime furniture before painting it?

Yes and no. You don’t HAVE to but there are several reasons you should. For instance:

  • It will give the final finish a smoother feel.
  • It will cover old damage and dark colors.
  • It will prevent rust in the future.

RUB DOWN

If you primed: after your chairs are fully dry, use a microfiber cloth to rub down any rough patches or little pieces of build up. If you have fine sandpaper, lightly go over the chairs. This is a pro tip that not a lot of people share: this extra step will give you altogether a SUPER smooth finish!

How to spray paint chairs in a few quick steps! Learn our pro tips for painting furniture for over a decade! Love this paint and primer in one, so easy to get a smooth finish quickly! #howtopaintfurniture #howtopaintmetalfurniture #paintingmetalchairs #rustoleumspraypaint #spraypainttips #outodoorfurniturediy

SPRAY PAINT

  1. Starting with the underside of you chairs, hold the can of primer 6-8″ from the surface, spray with a sweeping motion side to side, slightly overlapping.
  2. Let it dry for ten minutes, flip upside up.
  3. Spray the top of the chairs using the same sweeping process. Paint in light coats to avoid drips.
  4. Wait 30-60 seconds in between coats until its fully coated.

This spray paint dries in about ten minutes and consequently, can be handled within the hour.

DIY spray paint metal chairs, love how easy this was to transform chairs in a just a few minutes! Change the look of chairs with the right paint in just a few steps! #diypaintedchairs #metalchairmakeover #howtopaintmetalchairs #howtopainttips #painttips #bohostyle #beforeafterchairmakeover #beforeafter

RUB DOWN

When it’s fully dry, repeat your rub down process with the microfiber towel.

Love this pretty Copper Rose metallic spray painted chairs, so pretty! Such a pretty paint and primer in one color from Rustoleum, a quick afternoon project! Such pretty painted metal chairs. #copperrosechairs #bohostylediningroomchairs #bohochairs #bohostyle #bohodecor #paintedchairtutorial

That’s all there is to it! It’s SO easy to transform furniture in less than an hour despite what you may have previously thought. We’ve found that most people are lacking confidence is all!

If you mess up, sand it down and paint again. As it turns out, paint is actually very forgiving and is the quickest way to change a space!

Love this quick spray painted metal chair tutorial, easy to follow step by step instructions for a fast transformation. #howtospraypaintchairs #spraypaintedmetalchairs #metallicspraypaintedchairs #hotospraypaintfurniture

Update: Check out my dining room makeover!

We completed this whole look for about $200 with creative decor hacks like creating this thrifted boho basket wall for $13!

(If you missed it, get caught up on our Instagram stories.)

Boho style dining room decor! Check out this farmhouse to boho dining room makeover using a little paint for a big transformation! #diningroom #diningroommakeover #bohodiningroom #bohostyle #bohofarmhouse #bohofarmhousedecor

Room source list

*May contain affiliate links which means we’ll make a commission and NO extra cost to you!

xo

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PHOTO EDITING PRESETS USED:

  • process pictures: jane preset
  • front porch pictures: jane preset
  • front porch picture with Kelli: alexa preset

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2 Comments

  1. Thanks for the article. I bought metal chairs from amazon for another purpose, however, I’m using them in the kitchen at my new bar table instead. They’re an interesting purple color, but I’d prefer black. I appreciate the paint recommendation and prep instructions.

    1. Of course! We touch up a few times a year (my kids are HARD) on mine but it’s certainly cheaper than replacing them 🙂 Happy painting!

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