How to Stop Patio Furniture From Leaking Rust

Patio furniture made from metal is a popular choice. However, with rust as one of the leading disadvantages to choosing metal pieces, it is important to know how to stop patio furniture from leaking rust. 

The best way to stop patio furniture from leaking rust is to either keep them dry using coverings or install them indoors during the rainy season. If patio furniture gets wet and leaks rust, paste wax products and washing the furniture can resolve the leaking rust problem.

Rust is not only unattractive, but a pain to clean up after, and nobody likes their patio furniture to suffer damage! In this article, we’ll look into the ways to prevent patio furniture from leaking rust, as well as a few frequently asked questions related to how to protect your patio furniture!

Ways to Prevent Patio Furniture From Leaking Rust

Patio furniture that is susceptible to rust can be protected, not only before the rusting occurs, but even after it begins to leak rust. Check out the list below to learn the preventative measures that can be taken against rust.

  1. Keep Patio Furniture Dry
  2. Use Spray or Paint-On Sealants 
  3. Treat Rust-Leaking Furniture by Cleaning the Area

These three options are helpful no matter what state your patio furniture is in, whether before the rusting process or after rust has already gotten to the furniture. Let’s take a closer look at how patio furniture can be protected from rust using these three methods.

Keep Patio Furniture Dry

Rust is caused by metal being exposed to moisture. Of course, your patio gets exposed to moisture any time it rains, or even just on dewy mornings. Therefore, it is important to protect any metal furniture from this wet weather if you want to avoid leaking rust!

Patio furniture can be kept dry by storing your pieces in a dry area when not in use. If you notice rain clouds gathering, or the weather calling for moisture, consider carrying your patio furniture indoors or to a covered location, like an outdoor shed or garage.

If this option is not available to you or doesn’t work with your space, there are still plenty of ways for you to keep your patio furniture dry! One simple option is to go outside and wipe the metal surfaces of your patio down after they get wet.

Perhaps the most popular alternative to wiping patio furniture down or carrying it inside is to invest in furniture covers. Furniture covers are like blankets or raincoats for your patio pieces!

They cover metal furniture and keep it sheltered from the rain, as well as being easily removable when you want to use your furniture.

 Be sure to check the instructions on how to secure them when purchasing furniture covers.

Use Spray or Paint-On Sealants

A popular alternative to having to worry about keeping your metal patio furniture dry is to simply apply a spray or paint-on sealants to the pieces. This is because once you’ve applied these products, you can stop worrying about rust whenever it rains!

Sealant sprays, and their alternative paint-on option, coat the surfaces in a protective seal that keeps moisture from coming into direct contact with the patio furniture’s rust-sensitive metal.

Before you apply any of these sealants, be sure to wipe your furniture down so that dust and debris don’t break the seal after it is coated. Check the bottle or product container to see if a second coat is necessary.

Treat Rust-Leaking Furniture by Cleaning the Area

If your furniture has already begun suffering from rust, you’ll want to stop it from leaking rust all over your patio. Not only that, but rust left untreated will only continue to damage your metal patio furniture.

This is why you’ll want to treat rust-leaking furniture to a good, thorough cleaning before taking measures to prevent it from happening again. 

To clean furniture that is suffering from rust, get a small wire brush and gently scrub the area until the brown or red rusty area is clear. Then carefully wipe away any debris or residue before applying a sealant to the damaged area. 

Don’t forget to clean off your patio after rust has leaked, too! White vinegar is the best way to clean up rust stains. Rub a bit on the affected area of your patio and rub it clean, then dry it off with a fresh rag.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Here are some frequently asked questions related to how to stop patio furniture from leaking rust!

How do you protect metal patio furniture?

You can protect your metal patio furniture from the effects of most weather by purchasing an outdoor furniture cover and securing it to the metal patio furniture. 

If you want to make sure your metal patio furniture doesn’t suffer from the effects of rust, keep it dry and use a sealant. This will keep moisture from interacting with the metal and causing rust to develop!

How do I stop my patio from rusting?

If your patio is suffering from the effects of rust, the rust stain will need to be cleaned using white vinegar, or scrubbed away with sandpaper, and kept dry from then on. 

Be sure any metal objects like grills or patio furniture are protected by sealants or covers from the effects of rain, which cause leaky rust to develop.

Additionally, if your patio has particularly bad rust stains, sometimes the only solution is to power wash the entire deck, wipe it down, stain it, and repaint it. Again, even after this has been done, the best way to stop patios from rusting is to keep all metal objects sealed and protected from moisture.

How do you keep wrought iron furniture from rusting?

Most wrought iron furniture already comes with a surface coating that is resistant to rust. However, tiny, abrasive particles like dirt and sand can scratch this coating away over time and lead to rusting.

To keep wrought iron furniture from rusting, keep it clean and allow it’s coating to stay intact. All that is needed to clean wrought iron is warm water and liquid soap, which can be applied using a gentle sponge. 

In addition to cleaning wrought iron furniture, apply a zinc-based primer, which has a sealing, protecting quality that keeps wrought iron furniture from rusting.

Conclusion

In conclusion, keeping outdoor pieces dry and clean is how to stop patio furniture from leaking rust. You can take patio furniture inside or wipe it down to keep it dry, or make sure a sealant is applied to the metal surfaces against rain and moisture.

If your patio furniture does begin to rust, clean the area with white vinegar and prevent all metal furniture from getting rusty again.

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How to Stop Patio Furniture From Leaking Rust
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