We bought an outdoor set from a neighbor that was moving a few years ago. I liked the idea of aluminum because our past sets of steel slowly rusted away. But now the paint is peeling off the aluminum and looks terrible. So the questions are how to refinish--how to get all the old paint off and put new on that won't peel off so easily? I would appreciate your suggestions and experience.
Refinishing Cast Aluminum Outdoor Table/Chairs?
- Thread starter HTSmith
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The hot Carolina sun will weather any reasonable finish. Nearly 20 years ago we purchased a table that is cast aluminum frame that takes 12” tile to make up the top. I repaint the frame every 4 years or so with rust oleum paint.
Lightly sand with a sanding sponge to prepare the surface, clean , and paint
Lightly sand with a sanding sponge to prepare the surface, clean , and paint
OP
That sounds like the set we have, but the paint is peeling off in big patches leaving the white aluminum bare. I could understand some fading in the sun, but it seems like the paint never adhered well to the surface of the Al.
It maybe a powder coated paint and once it starts peeling its hard to stop since moisture can get under it and make it not stick anymore, down side to powdercoat once a area opens up or peels its down hill rather quickly. Best to clean it with pressure washer/sand blaster or wire brush to get all the loose paint off and then sand the peeling edges if need be then clean and repaint like mentioned before ever couple years.
OP
OK, I took the pressure washer to one of the chairs and got about 75% of the paint off. Now I'll go after it with a wire brush and sand. Any suggestions on paint, primer, and techniques to get the paint to stick better? Thanks much for all the help.
You need a self etching primer as a base coat. You will need to wipe it down with paint thinner before applying anything.
ronn47
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I would talk to a powder coater.
OP
OK, water blasted it with the pressure washer, wire brushed and scraped, mineral spirits wipe down, coat of self-etching primer, coat of paint, and coat of clear coat. Looks pretty good. Time will tell. Took a ton of time. Pretty much for retired folks only. One big lesson--let the paint dry very well before the clear coat--or a big spider web. Thanks for all the input and help.
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