Posted by Frenchic Admin
Instructions for painting garden furniture
The British brand Frenchic developed the beautiful shades of the Al Fresco paint range for discerning British gardening enthusiasts, to complement stunning yards and gardens and a wide range of garden furniture in beautiful natural settings.
Painting garden furniture is the quickest way to update the look of a balcony, patio, or yard without buying new furniture.
Choose the award-winning test winner: the Al Fresco paint range, voted the best garden furniture paint, is a versatile renovation and furniture paint that you can use indoors and outdoors.
With the right paint, an old bench, table, or chair gets a new lease of life and withstands changeable weather conditions outdoors in summer, while stored away for winter.
Paint furniture that you can store under cover during winter, so the paint finish stays beautiful for longer.
Al Fresco is a weather-resistant paint range for wooden, plastic, and metal garden furniture
Benefits of Al Fresco paint:
- fast drying: 2 hours drying time between coats
- levels out to a beautiful, smooth finish
- non-yellowing, with UV protection already included in the paint
- mould inhibitor already included in the paint
- no additional protective coating needed over the paint
- primer already included in the paint
- voted the best garden furniture paint in England
- beautiful architectural shades suited to the garden
- water-based and safe
- suitable for painting in cold winter spaces
- Al Fresco shades
In this guide, we explain:
- How to prepare outdoor furniture for painting
- Which paint is suitable for garden furniture
- How to paint wooden and metal furniture
- How to ensure a durable finish
The instructions for achieving a successful result are ultimately very simple with Frenchic paints:
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Wash and clean the surface to be painted thoroughly, then let it dry.
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Sand all over and wipe away the sanding dust.
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Paint the furniture all over at least twice, on a dry, clean surface, using thoroughly mixed paint.
- Let it dry as directed.
- Store painted outdoor furniture and decorations in a dry place, protected from the weather, over the winter
Why paint outdoor furniture?
✔ Save money - you don't always need to buy new
✔ Extend the life of your furniture
✔ Refresh your outdoor space quickly: a neat, fresh coat of paint gives the whole yard a polished look
✔ You can change the color to suit the season or the theme of a garden party. Color brings mismatched furniture together into a cohesive whole.
Well-painted furniture stands up much better to use and weather.
What paint is suitable for garden furniture?
The best choice for outdoor use: Al Fresco
Al Fresco range
- Designed for indoor and outdoor use
- Weather-resistant
- UV protection and mold inhibitor already in the paint
- Matte finish that levels beautifully
- Suitable for wood, metal, and most hard surfaces
- Beautiful shades suited to the garden
For outdoor furniture, paint ranges suitable for outdoor use are always recommended.
Before painting – important preparations
1. Clean thoroughly
Remove dirt, pollen, grease, and any mold. Tighten the screws and repair the joints. Only paint a clean, sound, dry surface.
2. Roughen the surface
Lightly roughening the surface improves paint adhesion. Sand off loose old paint and flaking varnish. Carefully remove sanding dust.
3. Check for moisture
The surface and the inside of the wooden furniture must be completely dry before painting. Read about the best weather for painting outdoors.
How to paint garden furniture – step by step
1. Stir the paint thoroughly
Stir all the way to the bottom of the tin to ensure an even consistency. Thorough stirring brings the important protective agents and pigments into use.
2. Apply the first coat
Apply regular coats, not coats that are too thin
3. Let it dry as directed
Avoid painting in direct sunlight or hot weather. Each coat of Al Fresco takes 2h to dry.
4. Apply a second coat
Frenchic paints should always be applied in at least two coats, even if the first coat looks beautiful and provides good coverage. The second coat evens out the surface and ensures the color is true. It also improves durability.
5. Let it cure thoroughly
Full curing takes longer than surface drying. Put the freshly painted furniture into gentle use after 48 hours, and take care not to damage the fresh paint surface for three weeks.
Wooden furniture
- Sand lightly
- Remove old, flaking paint
- Apply at least 2 coats
Metal furniture
- Remove rust and apply Finishing Coat
- Clean thoroughly
- Apply at least 2 coats
Please note: Frenchic paints do not contain toxic rust inhibitors, so remove rust before painting.
When should you avoid painting outdoor furniture?
- In direct sunlight. Choose a shady spot for painting outdoors.
- If wooden furniture has been left outside in the snow over winter and is still wet inside
- In heavy rain or extreme heat
- In excessively cold conditions: when painting outdoors, the temperature must remain at least +10 degrees for 48 hours so the paint dries properly and the finish is durable.
- In excessively hot and humid conditions, the paint will not dry properly, affecting the durability of the finish.
- If wooden furniture is too old, damaged, or has crumbling wood, paint will not repair structural damage.
The best weather for painting is a dry, mild, overcast day without rain.
How durable is painted outdoor furniture?
With careful preparation and enough time for the paint to cure, painted furniture will withstand everyday use and changing weather conditions.
Painted furniture lasts longer on a covered terrace or balcony than on a lawn, exposed to the elements and ground moisture.
Storing furniture in a dry place over the winter is essential for the paint finish to last. Only paint furniture that you can keep sheltered from the weather during the winter.
For example, a large wooden garden swing can be painted if you’re prepared to repaint it annually. Painting is not recommended for large pieces of furniture that remain in contact with the ground through the winter, such as swings: the wooden structure absorbs moisture from the ground, and paint won’t adhere to damp wood.
Did you find a lovely piece of furniture (a rocking chair, farmhouse table, etc.) at a flea market and want to paint it for your terrace or outdoor space?
Indoor furniture is often made from different types of wood than outdoor furniture. It also uses different adhesives and joint fastening methods. Indoor furniture is not designed to withstand the elements outdoors (rain, ground moisture, frost, snow and ice) in the same way as furniture made for outdoor use. Painted indoor furniture will last longer on a covered terrace or glazed balcony.
Weather-resistant paint does not turn indoor furniture into outdoor furniture, nor does it prevent joints from opening or glued surfaces from coming apart in varying humidity conditions when used on furniture made for indoor use.
How to care for your painted furniture.
Frequently asked questions about painting outdoor furniture
Can garden furniture be painted without sanding?
We always recommend at least roughening the surface. Light roughening or sanding is always worthwhile for better durability.
Can I paint a fence, gate, outdoor steps or railings with Al Fresco?
You can, but be prepared to repaint annually if the surface being painted is not under a roof or eave and protected from the weather during winter. Sand, ice and the repeated exposure to snow and water quickly wear down the paint finish. We recommend painting only furniture and items that you can store away from the weather during winter.
Is primer needed?
In most cases, no. Al Fresco paint contains primer.
How long does paint take to dry outdoors?
Drying time depends on the weather. Cool, hot and humid conditions slow drying. When painting outdoors in late summer and early autumn, remember to account for overnight humidity and dew.
Can you paint metal chairs, a lantern, an old bicycle for the garden or a metal wheelbarrow?
Yes, as long as rust is removed before painting and the entire surface is treated with Finishing Coat, which slows the formation of new rust.
Painting garden furniture is an easy and cost-effective way to refresh your yard or patio. The right paint range, careful cleaning and sufficient drying time ensure a durable, beautiful finish.
Also suitable for spaces that get cold in winter, such as porches, cottages and caravans
The shades in the Al Fresco range look especially stunning outdoors, but you can also use them on interior surfaces in your home and in spaces that get cold in winter, such as boats, caravans and motorhomes.
All Frenchic paint ranges are suitable for cold spaces in winter, such as summer cottages, caravans and porches: Al Fresco, wall paint, Trim Paint and Lazy Range.
Choose supplies for your project and explore the gallery
- Supplies, tapes and cleaners
- Paint rollers and handles, fillers
- Brushes
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Finishing Coats
- Get inspired by the photos in our gallery
