Aluminum patio furniture is a faithful companion to your outdoor space. It’s lightweight, durable, and rust-resistant, but even aluminum furniture can look a little dull after a while. If you find that your beloved patio furniture has lost its former glory, don’t worry!
With a few simple steps, you can make it look like new again and back to top form. Let’s take a look at how to easily give your aluminum patio furniture a complete makeover.
Clean and dust aluminum patio furniture
First, let’s talk about cleaning and dusting. No matter how stubborn the stains on your aluminum patio furniture, cleaning is always the first step to restoring its original shine. Think of it like giving your car a wash, and it will look like new again, as if it has been restored to its former glory.
You might be surprised at how much a thin layer of dust and dirt can make your furniture look so mediocre. So start by gently dusting the surface with a soft brush. If you have a lot of trees near your home, especially those that drop leaves, you may need to do this step regularly. Even furniture that doesn't look dirty can lose its luster due to the presence of fine dust.
Wipe with a damp cloth
After sweeping the dust, the next step is to wipe with a damp cloth. This step not only removes visible stains on the surface, but also thoroughly removes dust hidden in the crevices. Prepare a clean damp cloth and add a little mild soapy water, but don't use too much to avoid leaving soap residue that is difficult to remove.
When you wipe with a damp cloth, pay attention to every nook and cranny of the furniture. Especially those small places can easily become a hiding place for dust and dirt. For aluminum furniture, keeping it clean is the key to extending its life. Wiping with a damp cloth not only removes dirt, but also makes the surface of the furniture appear smoother, preparing for the next maintenance steps.
According to the American Home Furnishings Alliance, cleaning aluminum outdoor furniture with soap and water can help prevent corrosion.
A study published in 2022 found that powdered or liquid car wash detergents are best for removing dirt and dust from aluminum outdoor furniture.
Wipe with a dry cloth
After wiping with a damp cloth, don't let go! Next, we need to wipe with a dry cloth. This is not only to make the furniture dry quickly, but more importantly to prevent water stains from remaining. You don't want to leave ugly water stains on the clean surface of the furniture, right?
Use a soft dry cloth to gently wipe the entire furniture, making sure every inch of the surface is thoroughly wiped dry. If you feel that the dry cloth is not absorbent enough, you can use a microfiber cloth, which is perfect for wiping the surface without leaving any marks. While wiping with a dry cloth, you can also check the surface of the furniture for scratches or other areas that need repair, so as to prepare for the next maintenance work.
Protect aluminum patio furniture
After cleaning, our next task is to protect your aluminum patio furniture. This step will not only extend the life of the furniture, but also keep them beautiful and shiny. You may ask, how can you effectively protect aluminum furniture? Don't worry, I will tell you one by one.
First, avoid placing heavy objects on the furniture, especially sharp or rough objects. These objects may scratch the aluminum surface and may even cause more serious damage. Second, try to avoid exposing the furniture to harsh weather conditions for a long time. Although aluminum is weather-resistant, it can still cause some damage to the furniture if it is exposed to the sun or moisture for a long time.
Add a protective coating
To further protect your aluminum patio furniture, it is a wise choice to add a protective coating. This coating will not only enhance the furniture's weather resistance, but also prevent scratches or corrosion on the surface. You can choose a protective agent designed specifically for aluminum products on the market, or use some household alternatives such as car wax.
Before applying the protective agent, make sure the surface of the furniture is completely dry and free of any dust or dirt. Then, use a clean cloth to gently wipe the protective agent and apply it evenly to the surface of the furniture. Let it sit for a while until the protective agent is completely absorbed and dried. This will form an invisible protective film on the surface of the furniture, which will not only enhance the gloss but also effectively protect against external damage.
Keep your equipment out of the elements
Although aluminum patio furniture is relatively durable, long-term exposure to the elements can still take a toll on it. Heavy rain, scorching sun, and heavy snow are all its enemies. So, if you live in an area with unpredictable weather, it’s best to move your furniture indoors or cover it with protective covers when the weather is bad.
If you have limited space on your patio and can’t bring your furniture indoors, it would be a good idea to invest in a set of high-quality furniture covers. Choose waterproof and UV-resistant covers, and make sure they completely cover the furniture to prevent moisture penetration and direct UV exposure. This way, your aluminum furniture will stay dry and safe even in the worst weather.
Deal with scratches and corrosion
Even if you are careful, it is inevitable that you will encounter scratches or corrosion on your furniture. Fortunately, it is not difficult to deal with these problems. For minor scratches, you can use fine sandpaper to gently sand the damaged area, then wipe it clean with a cleaning cloth and apply a protective coating.
If you notice signs of corrosion on the surface of your furniture, don’t panic. Use fine sandpaper to sand away the corrosion first, then treat the damaged area with a rust inhibitor and finally apply a coat of protectant. Regularly checking the condition of the furniture and promptly addressing any scratches or corrosion issues can effectively extend the life of aluminum patio furniture.
Refinishing with paint or oxidation
If your aluminum furniture has developed large scratches or corrosion on the surface, cleaning and protection alone may not be enough to restore its original luster. At this time, it may be a good idea to consider refinishing with paint or oxidation. You can choose a spray paint that matches the original color of the furniture, or repaint it according to your preferences.
Before you start painting, make sure the surface of the furniture has been thoroughly cleaned and sanded smooth. Then, follow the instructions for the spray paint product and spray it evenly on the surface of the furniture. Multiple sprays and proper drying time can ensure that the final effect is more even and long-lasting.
Oxidation treatment is a more professional repair method that is usually used to treat corrosion problems on aluminum surfaces. The oxide layer not only restores the appearance of the furniture, but also enhances its corrosion resistance. If you are not sure how to proceed, it is recommended to ask a professional to help complete this process.
Keep aluminum patio furniture looking shiny
Finally, keeping the shine of aluminum patio furniture is a key step to keeping it looking new. In addition to regular cleaning and applying protectants, you can also use some simple household items to keep the furniture shiny. For example, gently wiping the surface of the furniture with olive oil or baby oil can make it look smoother and shiny.
In addition, avoid placing heavy or sharp objects on the surface of the furniture to prevent scratches and dents. If you like to place decorations on the patio, it is recommended to use cushions or cloth as cushions to reduce wear and tear on the surface of the furniture.
In short, keeping the shine of aluminum furniture will not only improve its beauty, but also extend its life. Regular maintenance and careful care will keep your patio furniture shining for many years.