ORB! Rusty Wrought Iron Chairs and Tables. Will it Happen?

Sooo,  I have been seeing lots of stuff painted with the infamous Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze.  {ORB as some affectionately call it}  It is ALL OVER the place and I was very curious about why people absolutely adore this spray paint.  Looking at the many many blog projects posted using ORB, I just didn’t get it.  Wonderful, beautiful projects that I thought would be awesome in any color!  But it just seemed like ORB was everywhere!  Why ORB?  It was just really truly bugging me.   Well guys, I did what I had to do – I broke down today and bought a $7.97 can at Lowe’s Not cheap.  And, at the same time, I knew I needed a really good primer for the rusty rusty and more rusty project ahead.  Decided to try this Rustoleum Automobile Primer {for $3.77 at WalMart}  

So here is the deal!

I had been thinking about what to do with the abandoned {under our deck} wrought iron rusty chairs with rotten seats the previous owners of our house were SO kind to leave behind.   SWEET!  All eight of them!  And there are a few tables too!  Here you see one specimen :)

 So, when I got home from buying the primer and spray paint I hopped out of the car,  went straight to a chair as I was shaking that ORB can and sprayed tested a small area on one chair. BAM!  Ohhh I love this stuff!   Couldn’t hold back {just had to be sure so sprayed again.}    Oh yea it's official {and how sick is it that I am in love with a spray paint? Ha!}  So now I know why people are crazy obsessed with  love ORB   Awesome paint and as I walk through my house I'm giving the eye to lots of things that just might get ORBed!  My hubby and monster puppy are {at the moment} quietly slinking their way to the "basement man cave"  Ha!  Like they are safe there. :)  Ok back to the chairs

I had to strop myself because I wanted to have a before and after picture.   

Well what do you know - I did remember to take pictures!   On the left you can see where the chair had been sanded and the Automotive Primer was applied  Then I sprayed the popular ORB on the primed chair you see on the right   It only took one coat of the primer and one coat of the {expensive} ORB to cover the chairs  {Just a few touch up sprays where I missed}  This is the stuff that makes me smile! See what happens next.......

In a pinch I had to Duct tape {another great invention} two cardboard pieces together to create a pattern for the seat.  Made sure it fit.

Then I traced that onto my 1/4 inch plywood board twice for the two chair seats.  This is my first project using a table saw!  First time ever!  So pumped and already new ideas... See - not too bad a job - it fits!  

Next up I will be choosing an outdoor fabric and finishing the seat.  Hope to finish this project by Friday when my baby girl comes home for the weekend.  

Okay, update here - today is Friday {at 5} and I haven't quite finished.  But I did remember some outdoor fabric I bought a few years ago for a project that just didn't happen. I think it will look good on the chairs.  So, next problem is how to waterproof the wooden base?  I have been reading up on this and it doesn't sound like it can be 100%.  I do have foam that resists mildew {along with the outdoor fabric} so that's a plus. :)  Well, then I thought about using a shower curtain as a layer under the fabric.  Then spraying some Minwax Indoor/Outdoor Helmsman Spar Urethane for some added protection.  And that is what I did!  

Here's hoping!  And quite honestly, to be realistic - this is for a college house.  These girls are pretty savvy but I don't want them to have to worry about the "cushions on the patio".  {Like they would}   So if the cushions last a year or two we are good.   Here is the fabric, the shower curtain, the foam {thanks Hobby Lobby for your 40% coupon}, and my trusty little heavy duty stapler that will pull this act together!  

Next up I traced the board onto my 17 x 15 x 2 smart foam.  

Cut it out with scissors and placed it on top of the wood base.  

Then – shame on me – no picture of the next step.  {I thought I did} But basically, I cut my outdoor fabric piece (18” by 48”) into two pieces and cut the shower curtain pieces just a wee bit smaller.  

Put the fabric face down on the table, then the shower curtain on top of that, then foam and topped it off with the wood base.
Well, another minor detour :)  The heavy duty stapler wasn't heavy duty enough.  So I grabbed what thumbtacks I had and used those.  Running out of time here – she had to leave by 3:00!   Not easy using the tacks so, at that point, I was going with whatever it takes to get it done!   

As you can see, it is not a neat job, but that’s okay.  These college kids are not going to be looking under the seats and checking out how I finished them off.  {I hope}   Surely they have parties better things to do!

See - can't even tell!

And whew, finally finished!  Now I only have at least two more to do plus the table!  

But that will be another week.!  Hope she and her roomie enjoy these because they have a cute tiny patio with nothing there.  So, this is a start!   

The chairs are "en route" and baby girl promises to send pix from her patio.  I will be sure to post those soon

Meantime.....

Here's is what I am using one of the rusty chairs for until I redo it!  Also, you can see my sweet monster puppy Jack that chewed up my wooden Angel and my daughter's UGG                                                           slipper trying to eat the plant.  

Good thing you are so sweet Jack!  {And the plant is not dangerous}

AND HERE IS MY NEWEST POST.  I LOVE PARASOLS!

Linking to these amazing parties!

I Heart Naptime - Sundae Scoop
Thrifty Decor Chick - Spray Paint Party
French Country Cottage - Feathered Nest Friday 
Whassup Wednesday at Elements Interiors 
At the Picket Fence  - Inspiration Friday  
Fingerprints on the Fridge - Feature yourself Friday
Strut Your Stuff Thursday at Somewhat Simple 
Sassy Sites - Trash to Treasure
Blue Cricket Design Show and Tell Wednesday 
Debbie Doos - Color My World Party  
 Beneath My Heart - Best DIY Projects of the Month
Fingerprints on the Fridge-Feature Yourself Friday
Under the Table and Dreaming - Sunday Showcase Party