Metal patio furniture can be a beautiful addition to your yard’s design. However, the rust left behind on patios from leaking metal furniture can be ugly and difficult to remove. How can you stop metal patio furniture from spreading rust?
To stop patio furniture from leaking rust, the best thing to do would be to use a spray or paint-on sealant to protect the metal. You can also cover everything with waterproof covers or put rubber protectors on the furniture’s feet. Keep the area as dry as possible by using an awning.
Let’s take a closer look at how to stop your patio furniture from leaking rust.
Use Covers on All Metal Furniture
The first thing for you to try would be to protect the furniture from the elements and keep them dry. This would involve purchasing furniture covers for the metal furniture you have on your patio. Even furniture that isn’t made entirely out of metal has the potential to leak rust, so it’s a good idea to get covers for other types of furniture as well.
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If your patio set doesn’t come with a cover, you can check with the manufacturer. They will likely sell a cover for your specific patio set. If you can’t find the cover that works for your furniture, you’ll need to take your furniture measurements and find a generic cover that will fit.
You’ll need the dimensions for the height, width, and depth of your furniture. If you have a round table, you’ll need the tabletop’s diameter to get the best cover. You want a covering that fits snug but not tight. If it’s too tight, you risk ripping the material. If it’s too loose, the wind could blow the cover off during inclement weather.
Keep them covered at night and during heavy rain. Uncover them when you want to enjoy them. Keeping them dry will help you avoid rust.
Apply a Paste Wax To Prevent Rust
Paste wax is an excellent option for your patio furniture to prevent rust and protect them from water. The paste wax works as a barrier for your furniture against water. You can use an automotive paste wax found at your local hardware store.
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When applying paste wax, you want to make sure there is no dust or debris on the furniture. From there, you’ll need to wipe the furniture down to remove any residual residue. Once the furniture is clean and free of dust, you can apply the paste wax.
Cover the furniture in paste wax from top to bottom. Make sure it’s fully covered, and you’re good to go. You’ll need to reapply the paste wax any time you clean your furniture.
Coat the Furniture in a Protective Sealant
The easiest thing to do would be to seal it and forget it. You’ll need to buy a spray sealant from a local hardware store or from online. Sealant sprays work to seal the metal against moisture.
One of the best sealant sprays out there for metal is Rust-Oleum Enamel Spray. The spray is designed to be long-lasting and protect your furniture against harsh weather. It comes in a variety of colors and will dry in two to four hours.
- Weather and corrosion resistant coating protects exterior/interior surfaces like wood, metal, concrete, masonry and more
- Oil-based formula provides a durable protective coating with excellent rust prevention
- Dries to touch in 2 to 4 hours and covers up to 15 sq. ft.
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Before spraying your furniture down with any sealant, you’ll need to wipe the furniture down to clear it of any dust or debris. Once you know it’s clean, spray a light coat, being careful to follow the instructions on the bottle. An additional coat may be required.
Put On Rubber Foot Protectors
Some patio furniture isn’t made entirely out of metal. Sometimes only the legs or feet of the furniture are metal, and it’s typically hollow metal. Something that you can try to prevent your furniture from leaking rust is to use rubber foot protectors.
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These will help protect the hollow metal from holding water inside the feet caused by pooling water on the patio. When water pools up around the feet of your furniture, it can store itself inside the hollow metal, even after the water on the patio has evaporated. This will cause the rusty water to leak out afterward.
Rubber foot protectors won’t help keep the water from getting into your furniture from the top of the item. For that, you’d want to get a cover.
Bring Metal Furniture Inside During Bad Weather
The cheapest option to prevent your furniture from leaking rust is to bring your furniture inside at night or during inclement weather. This may not be the ideal situation, but it won’t cost you any money to do it.
If you have a shed, this would be the best option. Put your patio furniture in the shed at night or when the weather is bad. Bring the furniture out when you intend to use it. If you know you won’t be using the furniture for a long time, such as in the winter months, you could also keep your furniture stored in the shed for that time.
Install an Overhead Cover or Awning
Installing an overhead cover or awning isn’t going to solve all your problems, but it can help. It will provide cover for your furniture during light rain. However, this won’t prevent heavy rainstorms from getting the furniture wet. It also won’t help against pools of water that collect on the patio. If these are problems for your area or your patio, you’ll want to use another more direct method, such as a sealant or rust paint.
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Other Things To Keep in Mind
While the options listed above will certainly help prevent your furniture from leaking rust, there are other ways to keep rust at bay. Take a look at three easy ways to stop rust from plaguing your patio furniture.
Keep Your Patio Clean and Dry
Keeping your patio clean and dry will also ensure that your furniture doesn’t suffer. If there is a pile of leaves or debris that prevents water from draining off your patio, this could cause the water to pool around your furniture instead.
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Debris that clings to your furniture, such as wet leaves, can also cause rust if left alone for too long. Make sure to clear away any leaves left after rain or wind storms.
Clean Your Furniture Regularly
It would be best if you cleaned your patio furniture a couple of times a year. During this cleaning, you’ll want to inspect the furniture for any areas that may be developing rust. Identify the issues before they become significant problems.
You can clean your patio set with water and soap. You can sponge down the furniture and then hose it off once it’s clean. Make sure to get into the hard-to-reach areas as well. Don’t let the water linger on the furniture. Dry it off with a towel to prevent rust or water damage.
Fix Rust Before It Gets Worse
You can fix the rust before it gets too bad. If you see rust starting to develop on your furniture, you’ll want to clean the furniture from top to bottom. In the rusted areas, take a piece of fine-grit sandpaper and lightly sand away the rusted area.
Once the rust is gone, clean the furniture again to remove any debris and apply a new coat of sealant or paint to your furniture. Using a fresh coat of sealant or paint will protect the furniture from getting more rust and hopefully prevent future damage.
Summary
Water can be a destructive component to a patio furniture set. Even if your furniture isn’t made entirely out of metal, there are risks to having anything outside in the elements. Luckily, there are ways to stop your patio furniture from leaking rust.
Sources
- Patio Furniture: How To Stop Patio Furniture From Leaking Rust
- Captain Patio: What To Do When Your Patio Furniture Leaks Rust
- Install It Direct: Patio Furniture Maintenance Guide: How To Protect Your Patio Furniture
- WD40: RUST PREVENTION: HOW TO PREVENT RUST ON METAL FURNITURE
- Home Talk: What can I put on the bottom of my patio chairs to keep them from rust
- Amazon: Rust-Oleum Enamel Spray
- The Creative Exchange: Best Paints to Use for Outdoor Furniture, Accessories and Pots
- Garden Artistics: Preventing Furniture from Staining Patios
- Bob Vila: How To: Maintain the Metal in Your Yard