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35 Comments

  1. Thank you for these easy to follow instructions. Now I’m motivated to spiff up mine…..and pick up more

    1. Lora Bloomquist says:

      So glad it was helpful, Ginny! There are so many fun varieties:)

  2. Holly Henderson Faiella says:

    Love it! Exactly what I am doing with 7 chairs now

    1. Lora Bloomquist says:

      Lucky you, Holly! Good luck!

  3. Justin Reidy says:

    Lots of great ideas but what site sell the seats or leg/arm parts when they have rusted through? Thanks.

    1. Lora Bloomquist says:

      My best guess is to search on google! Or have a couple chairs and use some as parts pieces, like they do with cars.

  4. I love your chairs! I acquired 2 slightly rusty, blue ones last year and I have procrastinated doing anything except sitting on them! I even bought spray primer/paint for them. Everyone told me that a sanding and a few coats of paint would help! I am so glad I read your article because now I see that I’m not the only one who loves the vintage look of these! I will forget the paint. Now I know what to do to enhance and preserve that beautiful appearance! And yes, they are much better in the shade. I have my two in a shady corner under a tree in my garden. Your uranium glass Hoosier jar/vase is gorgeous too!

    1. Lora Bloomquist says:

      Lucky you for finding them, Sharon! I’m so glad you didn’t paint them; you’ll love that timeworn patina:)

  5. Sandy Anderson says:

    PLease send me the pointers to keep old metal lawn chairs nice

    1. Lora Bloomquist says:

      I explain the process in this article, Sandy. If you’d like a printable version, you can become an Insider for free and find it in my free Resource Library.

  6. Karolyn Love says:

    I have 2 of these chairs which (last year) I painted (yes, I did) and now , I’m just gonna sand them down and release those other beautiful colors underneath!!! Live and LEARN rom the best!!! Thank you, Lora for bringing me back to my senses!!! lol

    1. Lora Bloomquist says:

      How exciting it will be when you unearth all those pretty colors hiding underneath, Karolyn! Good luck!

      1. David Baird says:

        I found this article and did exactly what you suggested. Absolutely love the results. In the past, I had my current set sand blasted and powder coated which for a screened porch, looks great I think and it helps preserve the better pieces. BUT, I recently found a 1939 Cleveland Welding steel spring chair. It had recently been painted black. When I sanded it down I found some great undertones of red and green. Put 4-5 coats of clears on top and bam, it is is beautiful!!! Thanks for posting this, brilliant suggestion!!

        1. Lora Bloomquist says:

          So glad you enjoyed it, David! Your chair sounds awesome! Whenever I come across these old beauties for a good price, I scoop them up. I love their coats of many colors and variety of shapes; I’ve accumulated quite a few;) Enjoy your chair!

  7. Krista Hanson says:

    Beautiful!!
    I just acquired some of these chairs, and was going to spray paint them, but now? NO WAY!!
    One question though… does the poly sealer deteriorate (peel, flake, etc) in the outdoor elements? I’ve tried with wood before and had poor luck…

    1. Lora Bloomquist says:

      I use outdoor poly, Krista. And yes, I’ve had the same issue happen with indoor poly on wood. I do add a coat every year or so to keep them fresh. So glad you’re not going to make them look new! You’ll love the patina!

  8. My grandparents had chairs like this and I remember trying to make them rock in the shade under their catalfa trees in Massachusetts. Thanx for bringing back the great memories!

    1. Lora Bloomquist says:

      I’m glad I brought back good memories, Kathy! These old chairs remind my of my grandparents cabin;)

  9. Wow! Gad I found you today featured on Savvy Southern Style! This is an excellent post! Great information. The chairs look fabulous after sanding and sealing!

    1. Thanks, Sandy! I’m glad you found me too! Thanks for hopping over to my IG also! Saavy Southern is a new party for me, but definitely having fun there!

  10. Hi Lora!

    Thank you so much for sharing this at the Farmhouse Friday link party! I’ve chosen it as one of the features for tomorrow’s party 🙂

  11. Amazing transformations, Lora!! Thanks so much for linking up your posts with us at Vintage Charm; we enjoy having you party with us 🙂

  12. Ooooh Laura, I am just giddy for you over these finds and a bit envious too, I can never find these in my area. I just love all that gorgeous patina, so happy you brought out the beautiful history over spraying them all shiny fresh. They are just sublime, and great photos too I must say I want to print them up for an 8 x 10 grouping! Lol thanks for sharing them at #FridaysFurnitureFix !

    1. Thanks, Brenda! I was pretty happy to find them; it’s getting harder & harder to score them:(

  13. I love your collection of vintage chairs. And I love how you kept the patina instead of spray painting them to look new again. They certainly have a character. The chairs are simply gorgeous.

  14. House of Hollingsworth Blog says:

    GET. OUT. Oh my goodness Lora, I so thought this was going to be a spray-it-new type makeover but you made these chairs DIVINE! I couldn’t make patina like that if I tried – they are just gorgeous. Thanks for sharing. xx

      1. House of Hollingsworth Blog says:

        P.S. I’m featuring your beautiful lawn chairs this Wednesday at House of Hollingsworth Blog xx