Spray Paint A Vintage Glider
See how easy it is to spray paint outdoor metal furniture
The glider color is giving me fits and I need your opinions. I also wanted to show you how the JTS raised the height of the glider seat. Those old chairs, benches, and gliders sit really low. Anyone ever notice that?
About the glider color…..Did I paint the glider the right color? Should I paint it a second color and distress the paint? Should I leave it as is? Help!
This is the glider I bought for $25 at my favorite junk shop. I was going to leave it rusty but decided instead to paint it. Now I’m not sure and it’s too late.
The JTS worked on the glider with a steel brush and removed most of the loose paint. I did a go-over with sandpaper.
Now we’re looking at the bottom of the glider. This is where one of the color questions comes in. I believe the original color of the glider was yellow and I really like it. Maybe I should have went with yellow?
After removing the loose paint I sprayed the rusty areas with RustOleum Rust Reformer.
I thought it would be a quick and easy job just to use spray paint for the makeover. I tried brushing on a little paint and it didn’t cover well at all and left a ton of brush marks.
I went for the spray paint and selected a turquoise color and a yellow and sprayed the two colors on the bottom of the glider. Not liking either one. The turquoise was too blue and the yellow was too bright.
Next I went for the Krylon in Cherry Red. I love this color. As you can see I’ve used it before. One project was the Little Tikes Playhouse Makeover and I painted the door knob cherry red.
I started spraying and kept spraying. I think I was on can 3 when I stopped. I found several ways to prop up the glider so I could paint all sides. Cardboard boxes come in handy for a lot of things.
Glider Color – Cherry Red
And this is what the glider looks like with the $5 cushions from Walmart. One problem I had when trying to find cushions was the bench cushions were too short and three of the seat cushions together were too long.
But guess what. I found out by accident if I turn the seat cushions where the ties are facing each other then the cushions fit perfectly. Who needs to tie those things on anyway. Too much trouble.
The paint covered the arms and supporting rails perfectly but not the body of the glider.
You can see in this photo how the metal grids are discolored. I don’t know if that is because they are rougher than the other metal or what. It’s not as noticeable as it was when first painted. Not sure why that is.
Anyway, before moving on to how we raised the seat height of the glider what about the color? Should I have a similar red mixed in latex paint and use my paint sprayer to repaint the glider? Should I paint it mustard yellow? Should I paint it mustard yellow and distress to see the red underneath?
As I mentioned earlier the glider sits really low. We came up with a plan to raise it up just a bit.
The JTS (aka Junktion Technical Specialist, aka Hubby) removed the glider foot/stand and cut a 2×4 just a tad longer than the foot.
We didn’t want the board to stick out too far and trip someone but we wanted it to be long enough for stability.
Next he screwed the 2×4 and the glider foot on to the glider.
All done. Now I just have to decide what to do next.
You Can Paint Metal Furniture
See how I painted a mesh outdoor chair here.
I will paint the wood whenever we, meaning you and me, decide on the perfect glider color. Let me know. Have a great day! Kathy
Audra Leigh Talamantes says
Absolutely stunning make over! I love this bold red color and the patterned fabric! Beautiful!!!
Kathy Owen says
Thanks Audra !
Rebecca - Knoxville,TN says
The red is wonderful. Does it actually glide? I have a similar style glider missing the bottom pieces that allow it to slide. I have searched but only found parts for the ones with straps. Any ideas would be appreciated. For now it’s a darling bench 🙂
ROSE LEFEBVRE says
Definitely colorful! Looks comfy as well.
Bonnie says
I love the red color that you picked out. It looks so good with the cushions.
Oliver Terry says
Hi and thank you! I’ve wanted to try this for the longest time.
Marie says
I think I was one of the ones who suggested turquoise but seeing it now in beautiful red, LOVE it! Pairs perfectly with those cushions.
Cathy says
I love the red Kathy. Raising it up was brilliant and the cushions looks great.
Cathy says
Perfect in red! Love it…
KassyK says
I love the red! I think that the reason your glider sits low is the glide part of the base is gone! I have one just like that! I left it low because I’m barely 5′ tall and my grand kids and I fit perfectly.
Angela says
Kathy, I like the red and the bright cushions scream FUN! I’m working on an old glider and will definitely use the “lift” idea.
Margie says
Love it!! You are over thinking this.
Be done and enjoy it!!
Naomi S. says
Kathy, I’m puzzled as to why you are spending so much time re-thinking this makeover. What are you going to do with the glider? Keep it or sell it? Personally, I think the red with those floral cushions is quite perfect. I also think it would appeal to lots of people if they were in the market for a one-of-a-kind piece. Now if you are going to keep it, you only have to please yourself. So wasn’t red one of –or your most–favorite colors??
Here’s my advice (whether solicited or not!): Move on to another project and let the glider be for a while. Don’t even look at it for a couple weeks. Then give it another look and see how you feel about the color. Or put it up for sale and let the “public” decide. Don’t spend much more time on it. I bet there’s someone, or several someones, out there that is going to snap it up the minute you list it.
Kathy Owen says
Thanks Naomi, I’m definitely keeping it. I love the red just wasn’t sure if it might look prettier in yellow. But the red is staying. 🙂
Maria giddley says
I love it! It reminds me of one my grandmother had I think it was green. But I love the red it pops.
Michelle West Singleton says
Perfection is over rated Love Love Love
Carol says
Love the red and the cushions. I don’t think the difference in the color is very noticeable at all so I would leave it like it is. Tell your hubby he is one smart man for raising the seat.
Barbara says
Another vote for leave it as is. It is beautiful and the match with the cushions is perfect. You used a perfect shade of red. I envy your talent and your glider.
Susan Wise says
Looks great to me. Of course I love red.
Pam says
I am thinking an apple green with turquoise cushions. I have wicker chairs in the apple green with turquoise cushions and I love them. When I went to the store to buy them and the salesperson suggested those chairs with the cushions I really was not interested but when they put the two together I was sold on the idea.
They look new and fresh. I found turquoise side tables that look great with them. You can also add any color with the grouping to give a different pop of color and a whole new look. I never get tired of experimenting by adding other colorful outdoor decor items or an outdoor rug. They can look modern or country. It is a great color!
Tracy H says
Looks awesome. I think you guys did a wonderful job. Smart thinking too about adding height to it.
Susan says
Like most everyone, I do love the red. Someone commented to live with it for a while and then add accents if you think it is still missing something – that sounds like a good idea. The cushions are great and look good on the glider. This is a terrific find!
Stephanie Mudd Carrico says
Keep the red…looks great…..maybe distress just a little….
Joanna says
I love the red – don’t change a thing. It’s just adorable and I want one.
Cindy Richter says
I’m sure you are going to have tons of different answers but I’d love to see it bright yellow distressed to see the red underneath! How unique and original. But no matter what you choose, it will turn out fantabulous. Everything you do is like that!
Patty Soriano says
Like everyone else, I’m partial to the red. Love the cushions. Would not distress. I just don’t like the look of distressed on metal.
EFFIE CARROLL says
Guess what. I’m getting an old glider too. I love turquoise so I’m going with that but I do like the red and the cushions. Hope I can find some cushions that go as well as the ones you have. We will have to repair the glider too. LOL
Debra says
I love the cheery, cherry red. I’d leave it, to heck with the little imperfections, it’s just part of it’s character. Old and worn, like some of the rest of us, yet we still have class. Great job and love the cushions. Can always add some sunny, yellow accent pillows that will match one of the yellows/golds in the cushions.
Sondra McAnally says
I really like the glider…I probably would sand all of it with different grits of sandpaper to just take the shiny down a little and make it look older…love the red!
Pat says
I love the red!
bonniev says
I’m a red person, so I love it and the cushions. Wait until next summer and give it a light sanding and paint it again. I think it’s very difficult to spray paint and not get that look. I know you have to go back and forth or up and down in the same direction, but it’s still difficult. I think I used about 3 cans of black on my kitchen, stainless garbage can because I couldn’t get it right. Just hard. OK, so I exaggerated . Maybe 2 cans of black.
Diane Stuckart says
Keep the red. Looks vintage, and it is fab with those cushions. No distressing, please — let it be its natural (lumpy and bumpy on some of the paint as it is) self. Fab job!
Lena Cox says
The red is perfect! Please don’t change it.
Barbara says
Red is one of my favorite colors! It’s bright and cheery and goes with so many other colors! I like fire engine red, cherry red, apple red, barn red, you name it – red it IT!!!
I think the glider looks great! Love the cushions and their cheerful flowers, too.
Jamie says
LOVE THE RED!!!
Lynda says
I think it looks great and the cushions really make it pop. Keep it as is in my opinion. 🙂
Paulette says
By the way, cusions is French for cushions…..
Paulette says
I would live with it for awhile and then if you still don’t like it, I would paint the panels from a color in the cusions. If you still don’t like it, I’ll take it!!!!!.
Kathy says
The red is beautiful, and the cushions the perfect finishing touch. No to distressing this piece, it would be too much. Raising the seat is genius!
Suzee Bain says
Perfect the way it is! Agree with Lindy on overthinking! Enjoy!!!
Mary E Rupp says
I love the color & the cushion design It looks so cozy
Kathleen Hicks says
Red is my favorite color-not sure how to fix the uneven color, but I’m sure you can leave it and it won’t detract. It’s barely discernible. Red is the color!
Dixie Lee says
I like it and think that you should just gulp and buy some more of the rustoleum and go for it, given the condition of the metal, you want it to be well protected. Next time with a big project think about buying the rustoleum in a quart can and using the sprayer.
J says
I love the red, especially with the cushions 🙂
Michelle says
I like the cherry tomato red!!!!! Now, just sit back and glide. Have a blessed day:)
M
Lindy says
The red is perfect in my opinion. It has a pop of color and the cushions match. Sometimes overthinking is like being handed a menu of a thousand choices for dinner when you already ate the perfect meal. No to distressing. Some things are meant to be left without this treatment–like the glider. That is my 2 cents and now I’m broke LOL.
Colleen M. Dulaj says
It is the perfect colour for an artist such as yourself. I had a VW the same colour! The cushions tie the whole piece together. The lifting up, is genius.