Patio set ruined! Do I paint it?

[cs5000]

We bought our table and chairs 3 years ago. They are wrought iron and made for outdoors (we were told). Well, the first year we covered them throughout the winter and that summer I noticed it did not look good (the paint was mostly gone and every time I sat or leaned on the table my arms, hands and pants were black. The 2nd winter, my husband decided maybe if we dont cover it we are better off since the guy told us its supposed to be for outdoors. Well, it didnt get much worse. But, the paint on it is all gone and noone can lean on the table anymore or sit on the chairs without getting filty!!! I cleaned it several times, but, its just the iron is letting out some black stuff and I dont know what to do. It was not a cheap set! I am very upset.:mad: My husband says he will try to spray paint it when it get nicer out.

Anyone have this happen? :(

[Jennifer]

We have a wrought iron set that we painted because it was having the problems that you are describing. I took a little steel wool and made sure to get off any loose/flaking paint and sprayed it with a "hammered" finish paint from rustoleum (a charcoal/black color) - it looks fantastic! I did it about 6 years ago and then did a touch up last year. It took about a day to do it - but it wasn't hard and I was really happy with the results!

I think iron sets just need to be repainted periodically (which is why I bought our new seating in cast alluminum - I just don't think it needs as much maintenance).