Your backyard is a special place. It’s where you relax and entertain. If you’re like me, you’ve probably invested in some high-quality outdoor furniture and decorative items for your yard (and maybe even some professional landscaping). That stuff isn’t cheap, but it sure makes your yard look nice!
But then there’s that outside table, the one on the patio, with all those nicks and scratches. With a few makeover tips, you can restore it to its former glory without breaking the bank or staying up late finishing touches.
Sanding
The first step is to sand the table’s surface with medium-grit sandpaper. Don’t go too rough. You don’t want to make any deep scratches. A few goods that pass over the entire surface are usually enough. If you’ve got a large patio table or one with metal supports, you might need a power tool for this part of the job (a handheld electric sander will do).
Once you’re done sanding, vacuum up all those gritty bits before they scuff your paint job! Then it’s time for some priming and painting – but not just any kind of primer and paint will do. You’ll need something designed specifically for outdoor furniture since it doesn’t have to worry about blending in with the interior decor.
Select color
Your next step is to choose the right color. Just like your house, you can either paint it one solid coat or go with a multicolor two-tone design. Either way, pick a shade that complements your other outdoor decor and makes the table stand out. If you’re having trouble making up your mind, err on the side of caution and use white because it goes with just about everything.
Once the primer and paint have dried, seal off those newly painted areas, so moisture doesn’t penetrate and rust all those lovely metal supports and bolts! Outdoor furniture sealers usually come in sprays or liquid form – both work great as long as you follow the directions on the label. Oh, and don’t forget to wipe each layer dry before applying your next coat.
Use metal cleaner
After the final layer has dried, it’s time to shine up those metal supports and bolts with a touch of clear metal cleaner (available at any department store). It’s like liquid chrome – brilliant! You’ll be amazed at how that simple step dramatically improves your table’s appearance. And don’t think you need to keep this tip for outdoor use only. I’m known for using my methods on indoor furniture too!
As a bonus, try using old newspapers instead of paper towels when cleaning off excess paint or metal sealer. There’s nothing worse than accidentally painting over one of the legs while cleaning up the surface of your outdoor table cover, after all.
Once everything is cleaned up, set out your favorite centerpiece and use it as a tablecloth (make sure you use summer wipe clean tablecloths)! If you’re only using the outside surface of the table, try draping some pretty cloth napkins over the chairs. It’s what’s on the inside that counts, not how it looks from the outside – right?
The best part is these makeover tips are reversible. You can paint your table one solid color or give it a two-tone design for years before having to do anything else to it again. And if you ever get tired of something in your yard, repaint or re-seal it – no need to toss an expensive piece of outdoor furniture into storage somewhere because there are just too many holes in the deck.
