How to Fix Faded Aluminum Patio Furniture Using Just ONE Common Household Item
Spruce up your patio furniture!
Do the warmer temperatures have you examining the condition of your outdoor furniture? Did you know that you can refresh sun-faded aluminum patio furniture easily with just one common household item and a little elbow grease! Come on – let’s get your older patio furniture looking shiny and new again!
For this project you’ll need:
- Automobile wax with sponge
- Dry cotton cloth
Directions:
Take off cushions and wash/rinse aluminum patio furniture well – I like to use a rag with a little soapy water. After furniture is completely dry, wipe a section with a thin layer of car wax; note that it will dry within a minute or so. Using a clean dry cloth, wipe off wax entirely. As you wipe off the wax, the result will be a smoother, darker, shiny surface.
New patio furniture can be super pricey so this this is a great way to refresh your existing furniture! And if you see a set of second-hand aluminum patio furniture for sale that’s a little faded, now you know how to fix it! The set above we purchased from Costco nine years ago and I’m super excited to see it looking great again and ready for summer!
Thank U Lina !! Just in time 🙂 Our chairs are looking tired – will definitely try this !!
Awesome tip! Thanks!
Works on painted steel doors on your home too!
My patio furniture looks so sad I was considering trying to spray paint. . .but this is so much better. Will try this soon! Thanks
We just spray painted our patio bistro set in the last hour, rushing before it got dark. Ugh! Spent $12 on spray paint and barely had enough.
Will this work with cast iron?
Great idea, since I have wax and would rather sit in nice looking chairs than wax the car.
Does anyone know where to find cheap patio cushions? I need one for a porch swing. Cheapest I found was $30
I got one for our porch bench at TJMaxx and it wasn’t expensive.
If you still have your old cushions you can spray them with fabric paint.
I tried that and the chairs got hard. I’m going to buy fabric shower curtains and make slip covers
For inexpensive patio cushions look online at bed bath and beyond or big lots.
Was looking st IKEA for cushions. Anyone have any experience? Advice?
This is a great tip! Our patio furniture was on an uncovered patio for many years. We protected it each season with a good cleaning and then spraying a thing coat of clear rustoleum on it. It kept it looking new for many, many years! Now, it is under a porch roof and we haven’t sprayed it in awhile. Now, I’m going to try to wax it and see what happens.
Last time this was posted someone mentioned using coconut oil. I gave it a try and my set looks AMAZING! Looks like I repainted all the black when all I really did was rub coconut oil on it. You just rub it and voila- instant face lift. Soooo easy! Wish I had found this secret years ago. Hope this helps someone else.
Nice!
Has anyone who has used the wax or coconut oil had any issues with residue on the cushions. I realize you wipe it off after but that doesn’t mean residue isn’t possible particularly on a really hot humid day. My coushins are so tired that I’ve been reudced to only using them on one side as it is. Wondering if this the quick fix for my tied chairs.
My set is the type with “meshy” fabric so I don’t have cushions.
I will use this! Any ideas on how to clean the patio furniture covers?
I have a cast iron patio set and they are starting to rust on the arms. Does anyone have an easy way to clean them? Can I use car wax on it after they are cleaned and dry?
Didn’t work
Oh darn! Thanks for the honest feedback, Deb. Sorry this tip didn’t work well for you. 💗