When I’m out scouring local flea markets or antique malls, I often come across vintage metal pieces with great lines that just need a little TLC. Whether it suffers from rust, stains, or chipped paint, most vintage metal can be given a second life. A thorough scrubbing is a good start, but to really make these pieces shine, consider bringing them to a powdercoat shop.
This is what I did with a vintage 1950’s step stool-chair that I found at one of my favorite antique malls, the Sleepy Poet in Charlotte. The chair was perfect for my son, who was just transitioning out of his high chair and needed a big-boy seat at the table. It was in pretty good shape structurally, with only minor dings and dents, but the finish was dingy and scuffed. I considered spray painting myself, but was concerned I wouldn’t get a long lasting result on a chair that needed to stand up to the abuse of my then 2-year-old. So I took it to Drake Coatings in Monroe, NC, and for about $45, Drake agreed to powdercoat the chair. There must have been at least 50 color samples to choose from in their shop, and they showed me additional ones available in their catalogs. Since the chair was permanently bolted together, I wasn’t able to recreate the 2-tone effect of the original chair. Still, I was very satisfied with the result:
 Before |
 After |
On their website, Drake Coatings explains what powdercoating is:
Powder coating is a method of applying a finish to a wide range of materials that are used by both industries and consumers. The powder used is a mixture of finely ground particles consisting of pigment and resin, which is sprayed onto a surface to be coated. The charged powder particles adhere to the electrically grounded surface until heated which cause them to “gel” into a smooth, consistent and uniform coating. The result is a high-quality and very attractive finish.
My son has been using the chair daily for two years, and the finish has held up wonderfully. I’ve been so pleased with it, I’m now thinking about other things I might bring back to Drake… yeah, porch chairs, I’m looking at you!