Staining and painting are ways to customize your porch swing and enhance its durability. There are weather-resistant paints and stains for both wooden and metal porch swings. For wood, a stain is the best option. Stains tend to last longer and provide more protection. Stains also are usually oil-based, which is a further benefit for wood (which can warp and shrink in the absence of ample oils and moisture). Meanwhile, metal porch swings can be powder-coated and then painted with weather-resistant colors.