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Refinishing patio furniture, paint or stain first?

11 years ago

I am refinishing my patio furniture. It has metal legs and arms with wooden slats for back and seat. I am going to stain the wood and paint the metal. Which should I do first paint or stain? I am using deck stain and I do not plan to put anything else on top of the stain. The paint is RustOleum and oil based. Additionally the rivets holding the wood to the metal have rusted. I sanded them and they came surprisingly clean - should I still paint over them just to make sure they don't rust again?

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krissie55
11 years ago
I suggest stain first and then paint metal parts.

If paint gets on the wood, stain will not soak in (paint gets into the grains of wood).

If stain gets on the metal, it can be cleaned off before painting.

Be sure and protect the stained wood before painting the metal. Painters tape comes to mind as a good way to keep paint off the wood close to the metal. Paint may splatter, so be sure and cover stained wood with something.

You would be wise to wait until the stain has penetrated, dried good, etc. before painting.
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