Garden Furniture
Perfect Patio Furniture
With fresh paint, you can tie mismatched pieces together or make an old set look new again. Painted patio furniture is a big trend right now. By doing it yourself, you can save money while making your old outdoor furniture look like an expensive new splurge.
* Clean: Paint won’t stick well to a dirty surface, so give your furniture a thorough cleaning with Mr. Clean® Magic Eraser® Extra Power before you apply your first coat. Its water-activated micro-scrubbers reach into surface grooves, lifting away the toughest soils with water alone.
* Smooth: If necessary, use a fine or medium grade sandpaper to smooth out rough surfaces and get rid of any rust or chipped paint.
* Prime: Once your furniture is clean and smooth, apply a coat of primer and allow it to dry overnight. There are different kinds of primers, so be sure to select one that is recommended for outdoor use and the type of surface you are painting.
* Paint: Now you’re ready for color. Choose an acrylic paint that’s suitable for outdoor use and apply 1-2 coats, letting each one dry for 12 to 24 hours. Try using a paintbrush for wood or plastic furniture. If you’re painting wicker, metal or pieces with small nooks and crannies, a spray-on paint will work best.
Have fun with this project. Pick a color that matches or coordinates with your outdoor décor. Or unify mismatched pieces with a single color. You can even get creative and paint every piece a different bright, summer hue. Then sit back and enjoy your furniture’s brand new style.
A Grill as Good as New
After all those summer barbeques, your grill might look a little worse for the wear. Make it shine like new again with a good cleaning and a fresh coat of paint.
* Prepare: This first step differs slightly, depending on whether you have a gas or a charcoal grill. Before you start, remember to make sure that the grill is cool and has been off for at least 24 hours.
-Gas: Start by disconnecting the gas. Then remove the interior grates and any briquettes or lava rocks to expose the burner. Carefully wipe away ash or residue and make sure that there is nothing on the burner to block the flow of heat.
-Charcoal: Remove the cooking grates and empty your grill of all the old charcoals from early summer barbeques.
* Clean: For both kinds of grills, give the inside and outside a thorough clean with water and a good degreasing soap.
* Paint: Paint the outside with a heat-resistant paint designed for barbeques. It comes in black and silver and is capable of withstanding temperatures up to 500°F. Allow the paint to dry and replace your cooking grates.
* Store: Proper storage helps keep your grill looking great. To protect it from the weather, cover your barbeque with a waterproof cover. During the off-season, try to move it to a sheltered location. Indoors, in a garage or basement works best, but keeping it under a covered porch or against the wall of your home can also help to stave off the elements.
With a thorough cleaning and fresh paint, you can get a grill and garden furniture that looks as good as new without spending a lot of money. Your outdoor spaces will be ready for a whole new round of summer fun!
Source: Homemadesimple
