Refurbish a Folding Card Table and Metal Chairs
I honestly have no idea why anyone would manufacture folding chairs in that standard, blah, putty color that you see most often. White or black would have been a much better option, but I am going to assume they had their reasons. We have a set of such chairs that we've used for quite a few years during larger parties. They are very sturdy and function well, but I was very tired of their sad look. Recently I acquired an inexpensive, round folding table and I realized it would go well with these chairs, but only if I painted them all first.
I LOVE the Adirondack color in the Americana Decor Outdoor Living line. Why on earth they selected that name, I have no clue, but the color is amazing!
I wanted a factory-look finish and I didn't want to attempt to get my brush into the nooks and crannies of these folding chairs, so I got out my trusty HomeRight paint sprayer! You would think that company pays me to use this thing all the time, but I assure you, they do not! I just love it that much.
I sprayed two coats of paint on the chairs. Looking good!
I probably should have led with the table because that is where my color inspiration started. No, not that dated brown surface, but the gorgeous retro orange fruit oilcloth that I found on fabric.com. I took my cue for the chair color from the lighter green in the fabric. I have decided that every project involving fabric should be oilcloth. I don't care that you can't wear it and it isn't soft. It is just so easy to use! And it made perfect sense for a new table cover since you can just wipe spills right off.
Changing out the cover was simple. First, I unscrewed the top from the frame.
Next, I removed the yucky old plastic from the round table board by pulling it and the small staples out.
I use the old cover piece as a pattern and laid it out on the oilcloth.
I used a Sharpie to trace the circle about an inch or two larger than my pattern since wasn't lying flat and I needed enough to fold under and staple. Then I cut it out.
Stapling the new fabric onto the tabletop was the hardest part, and I was glad McGeeky helped me out. He pounded the staples into the wood as I folded the fabric over and we made our way around the circle. I would suggest stapling at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions first and then filling in from there. This helps center the fabric and prevents it from moving on you or wrinkling up.
To paint the fame, I used Maxx Gloss in Orange Slice. I brushed it on instead of spraying because I would have lost too much paint to overspray since the frame is so small. I will warn you, the Maxx Gloss paint isn't nearly as forgiving as the other Americana Decor lines. You need to make sure you don't overwork it! Brush it on and leave it to level itself. Don't put too much on because it will drip and that is a mess. I tried "sanding between coats" like the label suggested, but all that really managed to do was sand all the paint away, so don't bother with that. I also wish I had started with a base coat of white primer just because this particular color is SUPER transparent and took me a ton of coats to get the coverage I wanted.
Once my paint had cured, I couldn't be happier with the fun, glossy shine on the table and the gorgeous green color of my chairs. I couldn't wait to use it for an intimate summer dinner party and of course, I had to serve Sunkist as my signature beverage!
3 comments so far:
Awesome job! I have to say that I have never considered oilcloth as an option, but I will now! And thanks for the tips, especially on the paints.
And now I want a Sunkist. Right now.
Thanks, Jeanne! I am in love with oilcloth now!
Great project beautiful job.