How to Paint a Rocking Chair
Painting a rocking chair can be a very enjoyable and rewarding project. If you have a nice old rocking chair that is looking worn out, don't throw it out, paint it. The sky's the limit on what you can do with a rocking chair after you strip away the old finish. Stain and polyurethane or paint it. Paint one color or multiple colors. Stencil designs on it or leave it plain. Use your imagination. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Primer
- Paint
- Painter's tape
- Safety glasses
- Protective gloves
- Respirator or painter's mask
- Assorted sponges
- Paint brushes
- Paint or varnish stripper
- Old clothes
- Dropcloth
- Plastic sheeting
- 5-in-1 tool or paint scraper
- Metal waste receptacle
- Steel wool
- Drill
- Wire or stiff vinyl drill attachment
- Wood putty
- Fine grit sandpaper
- Small paint roller
Instructions
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How to Paint a Rocking Chair
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1
Purchase your primer and paint. Latex paint is easier to clean up, but can stay tacky for days after you paint. Oil-based paint dries to a harder finish that will better resist chips and scratches.
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Replace or repair any worn or broken parts on the rocking chair and make sure all screws are tightened.
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3
Cover the areas on your rocking chair with painter's tape that you do not want to paint or refinish.
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4
Cover the floor of the area where you will be stripping the chair with a butyl/PVC coated dropcloth. Your work area should be inside or in the shade. Direct sunlight will cause the stripper to dry before it has done its job effectively.
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Apply the paint/varnish stripper with a disposable sponge or brush. Wear safety glasses, protective gloves, a respirator or painter's mask, and old clothes. Make sure you do this in a well-ventilated area and follow manufacturer's instructions carefully. Cover the entire surface evenly and thoroughly, applying a thick coat while moving your sponge or brush in one direction. Throw a sheet of plastic over the chair to prevent the stripper from drying too rapidly and let it sit for five to 15 minutes.
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Scrape off the old finish with a 5-in-1 paint tool or paint scraper after it begins to wrinkle. Put the removed finish in a metal waste receptacle and allow it to dry thoroughly before placing it in the trash. Repeat application and removal of stripper if necessary. Several coats of old paint or varnish often require a second coat of stripper.
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Wash off any stripper residue with steel wool and water or mineral spirits according to the manufacturer's instructions. Mineral spirits should be used for oil-based strippers; water is sufficient for water-based strippers. Dip the steel wool into the water or mineral spirits, wring it out and wipe off the chair in the direction of the grain. Rinse and repeat until all the stripper residue is cleaned off. Use your drill with wire or vinyl brush attachment to remove any remaining paint or varnish from cracks and crevices the stripper missed.
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8
Fill any cracks or imperfections with wood putty and sand the entire surface smooth with fine grit sandpaper.
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9
Wipe down the entire chair with a damp sponge and allow it to dry completely before priming and painting.
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10
Prime and paint the back and rungs of the chair using a 1 inch to 1 ½ inch brush. Use your small roller for priming and painting the seat top and bottom. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for drying time between primer and paint and also if a second coat of paint is needed.
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Tips & Warnings
Follow manufacturer's instructions carefully.
