How to Paint White Lawn Chairs

Paint your white lawn chairs to spruce them up or add a splash of color to your backyard or poolside.

Lawn chairs often come in white, because it reflects the summer sun and should not be too hot to the touch when you first take a seat. Besides, several white Adirondack or wicker chairs sitting around your lawn or patio are bound to look sharp. Still, a white lawn chair needs to be properly prepped and painted so the coverage is complete and the paint reflects the sunlight thoroughly for a nice shine.

Things You'll Need

• Putty knife, 2 inches wide
• Exterior grade spackling paste
• Sandpaper, 150 to 180 grit
• Exterior grade acrylic latex primer
• Exterior grade acrylic latex semi-gloss or gloss paint
• 3-inch straight tip polyester brush
• 2-inch trim polyester brush
• 1-inch straight brush
• 1 1/2 inch long-handled trim brush
• Drop cloth
• Clean rag

Instructions

Painting Outdoor Wooden Chairs

1. Examine the chair carefully and check the old paint (if present) to see if it is oil or acrylic based.

2. Remove any extraneous components like hardware and canvas, if possible. Take careful note where each piece goes and place all items from each chair together in a separate place.

3. Wash the old paint (if present) with soap and water and then give the wood a good rinse and let the chair dry.

4. Sand the old paint with 150 grit sandpaper to create a rough surface that will create better adhesion between the two coats of paint. Then wipe all the paint until dust-free with a clean rag.

5. Spackle and sand all holes and depressions, except for the ones that will receive the old hardware.

6. Give one thorough coat of the primer to the lawn chair with the various brushes. Make sure there are no drip marks. You will need to use the smallest brush to apply paint between the cracks of any the boards that are fitted close together.

7. Let the chair dry in a dust-free place. Remember that if the chair is left outside for any length of time, there is a chance that a breeze could come up and spread dust around.

8. Apply the top coat of either semi-gloss or gloss paint. Use a high-quality brand to achieve the best finish, and be particularly mindful of your brushwork and getting paint to cover those hard-to-reach places. Keep a rag nearby to wipe up the extra buildup of paint.

9. Let the chair dry and replace all hardware.

Touching Up A Wicker Chair

1. Examine the chair to see if the material is plastic or natural and if the old paint is oil or latex. Natural wicker can be painted with exterior grade latex or oil paints designed for wood. Synthetic wicker needs a spray paint, specially designed for plastic. This paint can also be used to paint plastic-molded lawn chairs.

2. Buy the appropriate paint and primer to paint or touch up the wicker.

3. Wash the wicker with a soft scrub brush and soapy water.

4. Rinse with a garden hose.

5. Take the long-handled trim brush and cover all bare (natural) wicker with an outdoor-grade exterior primer designed for wood. Begin by turning the chair upside down and then work on the top side. Make sure oil paint is covered with oil primer, but latex can take either oil or latex as a touch-up primer.

6. Let the chair dry for 48 hours.

7. Apply the finish coat using the 1 1/2 inch trim brush or spray can of appropriate paint. Be sure not to leave any drip marks.

8. Let the chair cure for a week before using.

Tips & Warnings

• Remove any wood finish before you begin painting.

• Expensive paint brushes usually leave a better stroke.

• Wicker furniture comes in two varieties, natural or resin-synthetic. Either one can be washed and touched up with spray paint, but not with the same paint.

• Several major spray paint brands make special kinds of spray paints to cover plastic chairs. Although colors are limited, the paint does adhere to plastic.

• Spray paint works well for applying paint to any kind of outdoor furniture.

• Existing oil paint on an outdoor piece of furniture needs to be covered with another coat of oil paint.

• Do not paint in direct afternoon sunlight. Find a shaded area if you can.

References

• Washington Post: Giving Lawn Furniture an Outside Chance of Survival
• Home and Garden, NH: Painting Plastic Has Just Gotten Easier
• Wicker Woman: How To Paint Wicker Furniture

Resources

• This Old House: Reviving Outdoor Furniture
• Good Housekeeping: Outdoor Spray Paint