Best Spray Paint for Outdoor Metal Furniture

For outdoor metal surfaces, what you use among these types of paint for furniture matters. When you’re tackling 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, Behr, Rustoleum, and Krylon, to help you make the right choice. 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 one is a big deal, so you’ll be able to enjoy your outdoor pieces for years to come. Each of these have 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 it’s 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 the best spray paint for wood furniture here, where we did a comparison test on each of the brands on our list.

Top Picks for Spray Paint for Outdoor Metal Furniture

Read on for our top recommendations for the best outdoor spray paint.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I also may earn from other qualifying purchases with other companies or get free product to review and use. All opinions are my own.

Behr Spray Paint

Behr Spray Paint is a versatile and all purpose, 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 sheen, 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.

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 cleanup 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 another great option, and you can use it for interior projects, too. You’ll get excellent coverage with it, 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 sheen 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 cover painting conditions and product application. Check out our painting furniture with high gloss paint makeover here, using Rustoleum high gloss paint in yellow.

Krylon Fusion Spray Paint

Krylon Fusion works very well, too! With its maximum rust protection and excellent fade resistance, you can totally count on your pieces to stay vibrant and protected for longer. It dries incredibly fast in 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 pieces stay vibrant and protected for a longer duration
• Excellent fade resistance that maintains the vibrancy of your 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

While this is a great way to instantly upgrade the look of your pieces, it needs to be done properly. Proper surface preparation is key! You want to make sure that you remove any rust or loose paint beforehand 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, where you can also learn more about how to choose the right one for your project.

Once you have prepared your surface, it’s time to start painting! It’s important that you read the instructions on the 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 surface with warm soapy water and allow it to dry. Remove rust or loose paint with a wire brush or sandpaper. Apply a metal primer for the best adhesion and rust protection.

Paint within 1 hour or after 24 to 48 hours. Read the specific instructions for the brand you’re using. Check out our list of recommendations for the best spray paint for metal here, as well as the best black spray paint for furniture here.

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 using a wire brush or sandpaper.
3. Apply a good primer to the surface to make sure the paint adheres well and protects against rust.
4. Start painting your primed piece within 1 hour or after 24 to 48 hours. Make sure to read the instructions on the spray paint and primer you’re using for any specific directions.

Spray Painting Metal

You’ll want to keep the can about 10 to 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 runs or drips. If you do end up with them, here’s how to fix spray paint drips!

Besides keeping the can at the right distance and being careful not to overspray, it’s important to allow just enough drying time between coats, according to each brand’s instructions.

And once you have finished, 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 inspiration for using the above brands!

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

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

Follow us on YouTube to get more tips for painting furniture. Or share your project with us on our Facebook Group and be part of our community. See you there!