Best Spray Paint for Outdoor Metal Furniture

For outdoor metal surfaces, the type of paint for furniture you use matters. Whether you’re painting a table, chairs or a patio set, it’s important to choose the best spray paint for outdoor metal furniture to make sure your project looks awesome and stands the test of time.

Let’s check out three top brands of spray paint – Behr, Rustoleum and Krylon – to help you make the right choice for your outdoor furniture painting project. Plus, we’ll share some tips and tricks for spray painting metal furniture so that you can get the best results possible!

When you’re looking for the best spray paint for outdoor metal furniture, there are a few key things to keep in mind. You’ll want something that is durable and will stand up to the elements, but also has good coverage and can be easily applied.

Picking the right spray paint is a big deal so you’ll be able to enjoy your outdoor metal furniture for years to come. Each spray paint has its own qualities that you should take into account: from durability, adhesion, rust, and corrosion resistance, to drying time.

It’s also important to choose a high-quality brand that is designed specifically for metal surfaces because metal is a very different material than other surfaces like wood or plastic, prone to rusting and corrosion, and requires special care when it comes to painting.

If you are working with wood, check out our list of the best spray paint for wood furniture, where we did a comparison test on each of these paints on a wood surface.

Top Picks for Spray Paint for Outdoor Metal Furniture

Read on for our top recommendations for spray paint that’s perfect for your outdoor metal furniture.

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Behr Spray Paint

Behr Spray Paint is a versatile all-purpose spray paint, perfect for a wide range of interior and exterior projects. With its exceptional built-in corrosion and rust resistance, you can trust it to deliver long-lasting results.

It provides excellent coverage and it dries quickly in just 15 minutes!

You can choose from a selection of 21 great colors available in either gloss or flat sheens, allowing you to create the desired look for your project. It’s also incredibly affordable at just $7 for a 12oz can, making it a cost-effective choice, especially for your outdoor metal furniture painting needs.

Pros

• Exceptional built-in corrosion and rust resistance
• Excellent coverage
• Quick drying time (only 15 minutes)
• Versatility for both indoor and outdoor use
• Affordable pricing

Cons

• Limited color range (only 21 colors)
• Only available in gloss or flat sheens

Get Behr Spray Paint instructions from preparation, application, dry time to clean-up and disposal here. We also have this Behr spray paint review you can read to learn more about this product.

Rustoleum Protective Enamel

Rustoleum Protective Enamel is a great spray paint for outdoor metal furniture, and you can use it for interior projects too.

You’ll get excellent coverage with this paint and it offers ultimate rust protection, which is crucial for metal surfaces! Drying time is still quick at just 2 hours.

You have an extensive selection of over 50 colors available in either gloss, satin, or flat sheens to choose from. It’s not just a great choice aesthetically, but also economically, with its price at $7 for a 12oz can.

Pros

• Ultimate rust protection
• Excellent coverage
• Wide color range (over 50 colors)
• Economically priced

Cons

• Takes longer to dry than the others (only 2 hours)
• Only available in gloss, satin, or flat sheens

You can check out Rustoleum Protective Enamel instructions here, which covers painting conditions and product application.

Krylon Fusion Spray Paint

Krylon Fusion Spray Paint works very well for outdoor metal furniture too! With its maximum rust protection and excellent fade resistance, you can totally count on your metal furniture to stay vibrant and protected for longer.

It dries incredibly fast at more or less than 25 minutes, allowing you to complete both indoor and outdoor projects in no time.

You’ll be happy to know you have a selection of over 50 colors available in various finishes including gloss, satin, and flat sheens. But it’s slightly more expensive at $8 for a 12oz can!

Pros

• Maximum rust protection so your metal furniture stays vibrant and protected for a longer duration
• Excellent fade resistance that maintains the vibrancy of your metal furniture colors
• Quick drying time, approximately 25 minutes, which allows you to complete your projects quickly
• Wide color range with over 50 colors available in various finishes including gloss, satin, and flat sheens

Cons

• Slightly higher cost compared to other brands, priced at $8 for a 12oz can

Learn more about the Krylon Fusion Spray Paint line and its physical properties here.

How to Spray Paint Outdoor Metal Furniture

Spray painting your outdoor metal furniture is a great way to instantly upgrade its look, but it needs to be done properly.

Proper surface preparation is key! You want to make sure that you remove any rust or loose paint before painting and that you apply a good metal primer so that the paint adheres well and lasts longer.

Here’s our list of the best primers for painting furniture to learn more about how to choose the right primer for your next project.

Once you have prepared your surface, it’s time to start painting! It’s important that you read the instructions on the spray paint can to get an idea of what temperatures are okay for painting, as well as any other specific instructions such as mixing or stirring times.

For best results clean the metal surface with warm soapy water, and allow it to dry. Remove rust or loose paint with a wire brush or sandpaper. Prime the metal with a metal primer for best adhesion and rust protection.

Paint within 1 hour or after 24-48 hours. Read the instructions on the spray paint you use for specific instructions.

Here is a step-by-step guide:

1. Prepare the metal surface by cleaning with soap and water, then let dry.
2. Remove any rust or loose paint on metal using a wire brush or sandpaper.
3. Apply a good metal primer to the surface to make sure the paint sticks well and protects against rust.
4. Start painting your primed metal furniture within 1 hour or after 24-48 hours. Make sure to read the instructions on the spray paint and primer you’re using for any specific directions.

Spray Painting Metal

When spray painting, you’ll want to keep your spray can about 10-12 inches away from the surface and keep a steady, even movement across the entire area to get nice, even coverage. Avoid making too many passes over the same spot as this can cause the paint to run or drip.

If you do end up with those dreaded drips, here’s how to fix spray paint drips!

Besides keeping your spray can at the right distance and being careful not to over-spray, it’s important to allow just enough drying time between coats, according to the paint’s instructions.

And once you have finished spray painting your metal furniture, let it dry completely before using it and putting anything on it.

We have a bunch of spray painted furniture makeovers in this post so you can get some ideas for your next outdoor metal furniture project.

Check out our list of the best spray paint for metal here for more options.

With the right preparation, a quality spray paint, and proper application techniques, you can successfully refresh your outdoor metal furniture with ease.

With the top three options mentioned above, choose the one that best suits your needs in terms of coverage, rust protection, color selection, and price range, then get to work!

more Spray painting tips

• Krylon Vs Rustoleum Spray Paint
• How To Use Spray Chalk Paint
• Chalk Spray Paint Review
• Rustoleum Chalk Spray Paint
• How To Use Spray Paint

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