Seating Plan

Layers of old paint and rust had turned our favorite garden chair into a backyard horror. To give our old dog new polish, we took it to American Painting and Sandblasting, Coventry, 826-1649, where they removed yesterday’s gunk and applied several coats of high-gloss exterior oil paint in festive orange. A new pillow, wearing a fabric remnant, makes it as comfortable as it is chichi. In fact, come cold weather, we’re bringing this beauty indoors.

What It Cost
Sandblasting and painting: $100
Foam rubber filler for seat: $15.52
Fabric: $6.41
TOTAL: $121.93

How to do it
If you’ve got metal furniture crying for a makeover, check out your local auto body shop to see if they’ll take on a small job or look into one of these options:

Furniture and Metal Stripping, Warren, 245-6361, will refinish, prime and paint for about $140 to $150 depending on the piece. You can choose from their stock of colors or alert them to a Benjamin Moore color you prefer.

Providence Lacquer and Supply Centre, Cranston, 943-1700, sells nitrocellulose lacquer, designed to coat wood or metal. For $50, they will mix a custom color. The lacquer sells for $40 per gallon. In this case, you do the work. First, remove the rust with a metal brush or a sandblaster. Then, for optimum results, apply the paint with a sprayer. Use the usual safety precautions including goggles, mask and adequate ventilation.

Rust if you must. If you like the distressed look, give the piece a vigorous brushing with a wire brush and rub it with boiled linseed oil (your hardware store stocks it). The oil should punch up what’s left of the old color and the metal. Let soak overnight, wipe off the excess and spray with a clear matte finish.