File this under fab and almost free mini-makeovers anyone can do. We had two yellow chairs (relics from our three months in an apartment with a balcony) that looked sweet enough with our yellow door but looked more than a bit mismatched with our current red one. Nothing two cans of Rustoleum Universal All Surface spray paint couldn’t solve.
The stuff is new, and compelling for many reasons: it can be sprayed at any angle (no more straining to keep the can upright while you spray), it covers ANYTHING (from plastic and wood to metal and wicker), and it has a nice trigger spraying device (which is much more comfortable than those older buttons on the top of the can). And at around $6 a pop, the entire chair transformation was super cheap.
Check out our fabulous “new” porch chairs. Aren’t they so much better? We love the look of the glossy black with our classic looking rancher (they tie in with the black shutters, trellis and even our oil rubbed bronze light fixtures and door hardware). And it really was a super quick project (plus it feels pretty good to recycle stuff instead of investing in entirely new pieces all the time).
But speaking of eco-friendly things like recycling, this spray paint is insanely toxic (probably because it can bond to anything, so it’s chock full of chemicals). I sprayed both chairs in our two car garage with the door open and although it only took a few minutes I left with a headache, a bit of nausea and even felt a little woozy/high for a while. So let this be a warning to you: they’re not kidding when they suggest a ventilated area. If I could go back I would have sprayed the chairs on top of some cardboard on the lawn for even more airflow. And one more helpful hint: DO NOT attempt this project barefoot. I made that terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad mistake and had to use about a half a bottle of paint thinner to pry the thick black tar-like build up from my poor feet. The overspray settles on the ground like other spraypaint, but instead of being dusty and harmless, this stuff is sticky and bonds like superglue- creating layers upon layers of black goo as you step in more and more of the dust. So wear old flip flops but prepare to exert some serious effort when moving your feet (they literally get stuck to the floor). It’s exercise meets home improvement.
But don’t get me wrong. The fabulous chair makeover was totally worth the effort, and there’s no need to be scared off by my warnings above. I just wanted to make it even easier on the next person. So now that you’re armed with all the knowledge for a fast and fabulous furniture makeover of your own… happy spraying!
Jennifer says
They really are neat! It’s amazing what a paint job will do for furniture.
Doris says
They look amazing! Are the seats sticky at all?
Jess says
They look great!
When we changed our front door lock and knob had to get gold (brass) since our HOA requires that color for the exterior, but we want the inside to be silver. Do you think this spray would work?
ALICE says
They look absolutely fantastic! What a great way to recycle and save a little green! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Hey guys,
Glad you’re diggin’ the mini-chair-makeover. As for Doris’ question, they’re not sticky at all. Before the paint dries it’s really sticky (hence the claim that it can bond to almost anything) but once it dries completely (after 24 hours) they’re sleek and totally finished. Like they’ve always been that color.
As for Jess’ question, we actually did some doorknob spray painting research a while back (when we had to replace ours) and we read that it was not a technique recommended for doorknobs since they get so much wear and tear. Granted, this is a new spray paint product, so it might work better and bond stronger. Please let us know how it goes if you decide to try it. Our fingers are crossed for you!
We’ve also seen doorknobs at Lowe’s that are brass on one side (for the exterior of the home) and silver on the other side (for the interior). We were bummed because we needed oil-rubbed bronze outside and there were no half-&-half doorknobs with bronze & silver, but there are plenty with silver and brass so we thought we’d throw that out there. Hope it helps!
xoxo,
Sherry (& John)
Rowan says
nicely done! the chairs look really nice.
another thing to put out there about painting in a well ventilated area, i.e. the lawn or back patio, rather than in the garage (enclosed space) is that if there is a gas water heater there is a risk of combustion. the fumes tend to stay low and not dissipate unless there is a flow of air.
Cindy says
These turned out great. I may have to pick up a can, as Cory refuses to let me buy new stuff until we move to a larger house. Unfortunately, the forest green of the freebie set I have doesn’t work for me, plus the black looks so much swankier!! Thanks for the inspiration!
G&D says
Love the chair makeover–great idea!
Arlee Leo says
Great idea! We just discovered spray paint as a solution to change out our bathroom hardware – the original was gold/brass and we wanted something dark to go with the deep red we were doing the bathroom in. We found a hammered black that looks great – slightly glossy and a little textured – and it adhered to the hardware perfectly (even the light fixture). Now I’m trying to figure out what else we can paint!
Marelis says
I’m new to spray painting, but needed to spray paint a papasan chair base black so I’m going to give it a whirl! They came out great…hope my project does too!!
court says
I just dragged my spray paint project off the porch…I wish I consulted your site first, because I managed to get it all over me (Probably should have worn gloves). This Rustoleum stuff may be the real deal. I’ll be using that on my next project for sure!
With all the spray painting you and John do, do you have any tips on keeping tidy? I live on the 10th fl of a large apartment building so I have a small workspace. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Court,
Ooh, that’s a tough one. We actually make an effort to spray paint everything outside or in the garage with a huge piece of cardboard under it to protect the ground/floor (we saved the big box that our patio furniture arrived in a while back). I know that doesn’t really help with your apartment building situation, but back when were were both living in NYC John and I actually dragged a bunch of frames down to the street and laid out an old sheet and spray painted them all on the sidewalk in front of our building (and hung out outside til they dried). Maybe that’s an idea for the smaller easily lugged pieces? Hope it helps! Happy spray painting!
xo,
Sherry
Angie says
I would like to spray some bronze bookends (which would look way cuter and more modern if they were not bronze). Would the Rustoleum Universal All Surface Spraypaint work for this project and if so, do I need to do any treatment to them prior to spraying?
Thanks!
Angie
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Angie,
Yup, it should definitely do the trick without any surface prepping. It’s seriously sticky stuff. Just spray in a well ventilated area (like outside) and you’re all set!
xoxo,
Sherry
Kathleen says
Hi J & S,
As it happens I’ve just purchased a can of this Rustoleum stuff by accident in hopes of taking it to a couple of wicker items…what do you think of spraying an old wooden deacon’s bench & some wood tables with this rather than sanding it down & staining it old school like?
Thanks so much!
Kathleen
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Kathleen,
Well, that stuff does stick to anything! We actually always encourage people to use a thin coat of oil-based primer to block any stains or grease/oil from the wood (they can slowly come through and ruin your paint job) followed by two thin coats of latex semi-gloss paint. BUT if anything is a shortcut it would definitely be that crazy Rustoleum stuff. I can’t bring myself to say “go for it” but I can manage to eke out a “good luck!” if you have the guts to see what happens. We’re totally nerdy and old school about this stuff, but you just might have success for a lot less effort. Either way, let us know how it all turns out!
xoxo,
Sherry
Melanie says
I just got a dresser for my kids room(hand me down) and it needs some fixin up. I tried to sand it but did not have the patience(its a pretty big dresser). I’m trying to see if I could just spary paint it?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Melanie,
If you use spray primer (like a can of Kilz) followed by some thin and even coats of spray paint (be careful not to overapply it to avoid drips) that should do the trick. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Sevi says
Hi Sherry,
I’m a new follower of your website also. Your design ideas inspire me much as a newly home owner who is about to get married. I actually want to take my time and do it bit by bit. This also involves refreshing my single life’s furnitures.
So, do you think, is it wise to paint or spray-paint furnitures that are not wooden but made of MDF or other materials like that? (This one, for example, http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20116274) I have a lot of them, they range in very different wooden colors. I want to paint them all in white, but I know I won’t get back the wooden effect at all, like you can do somehow in wooden furniture.
A very long question, with lots of praises to this great work you’ve done. Cheers!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Sevi,
This is the best method for your items:
https://www.younghouselove.com/2009/02/how-to-paint-furniture/
They won’t last twenty years since they’re not solid wood, but they’ll definitely get a facelift for a few years until you can upgrade them. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Sevi says
Thanks for the quick reply. What the hell, I’ll go for it :] Ooo I’m so excited!!!
Sevi.
Erin says
Hey guys,
My daughters have those hideous white metal bunk beds. I can’t stand them, but for now they have to do. Do you think I could paint them with this? Also, if I do, how long would you say until the smell of the paint wears off and they can sleep in them again? Thanks guys, LOVE your page!
Erin
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Erin,
Yup, for metal bunk beds this spray paint is definitely the way to go. I would recommend spraying them outside on a tarp or in your garage (with the door open) since it’s super fumey. Then allowing them at least 48-72 hours to thoroughly dry and off-gas while they’re still outside should make them totally safe to bring inside after that. Hope it helps! If they’re still stinky a few days later, definitely extend the wait time, although we’ve learned that once thoroughly dry they shouldn’t be fumey anymore so a ventilated place like outside or the open garage will definitely speed up the drying time for ya. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
DEEP says
I just love the chair style and great idea too!!
Kristen says
My husband and I are closing on our first house in a few weeks (I came across your blog about a month ago and cannot wait to be in our house – so many ideas!)and I am sorting through stuff to get rid of in our apartment…I have a hideous corner shelf (circa 1985) that is that cheap particle board stuff with a fake wood finish. (almost like a wall paper type material?) It also has a lovely gold metallic trim. I was really looking forward to breaking in to pieces with a hammer until I came across your blog and decided that I could certainly do something to update it – especially since it is completely functional as a corner shelf.
If I was going to repaint it – should I spray paint it as you suggest above, or go the priming/painting route that you referred Sevi too? Also, is there any way to do a old fashioned looking finish on it?
Thanks so much!
Kristen
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Kristen,
Definitely go for the priming and painting method. It should make for a more durable finish on that material so everything you place on the shelf doesn’t scratch it. Of course you’ll have to wait a while for it to dry (don’t try placing things on it too soon or you’ll ruin the finish!) but it’ll be well worth it. Good luck!
xo,
s
Beverley says
Wow, these chairs look great! I’ve been dying to paint a glider/rocker chair in my daughte’r’s nursery from its current espresso finish to a nice crisp white. It seems to be a wood although I’m not certain. Here’s an idea of what it looks like.
http://www.besthf.com/bcpublic/productCatalog.do?catalogType=JU&option=productDetailItem&selectedCategory=CL&selectedStyle=&selectedItemNumber=C2037E
Do you think spray painting might work and would we need to sand it first??
Thanks so much! You guys rock!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Beverly,
For this project I would definitely follow our furniture painting tutorial for a more long-lasting and durable finish since it’s a stained wood piece and not a metal or plastic piece (which works better with spray paint). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Liss says
The chairs look fabulous! I never think of doing this to pieces I already have. I’m redoing my bedroom for the first time since I was a pre-teen and I’m doing it on a low budget. There is nothing wrong with my headboard except for the fact it’s not my taste (black metal with faux gold accents). I’d really like to avoid buying a new one. After seeing this, I’m thinking of spray painting it a bright red to spice up the neutrals I am going with for the rest of the room.
I was wondering if 1) You would prime the headboard first or just spray the red over the black and 2) what I should do after it dries (to the touch) if I cannot leave it outside. ANYTHING we leave outside gets stolen (yay for crime!), even the cheapest of cheap things. The headboard would be gone in a flash.
Any advice would be EXTREMELY helpful and appreciated!
Also — this is my first comment (bad :x) on your blog but I just wanted to let you know it’s my favorite and I read YHL daily. It’s what has finally inspired me to stop putting off doing ANYTHING in my house because of lack of money. You two have made me realize even cheap, simple changes can really improve my space (like painting a piece of furniture).
– Liss
YoungHouseLove says
Have no fear! Some spray primer followed by the spray paint mentioned above should do the trick! And why not sit outside and read a book while each coat dries and then bring it inside so you can guard your lovely headboard? Once it’s inside, keeping windows open and a fan on it should further air out those fumes. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Liss says
Thanks so much! That’s incredibly helpful! :)
– Liss
prettythings says
I read this article over the weekend, and immediately a chair in need of rehab came to mind. I have a clearanced out Pier One chair with a black wicker top and silver metal frame – cute, but a little to modern for my living room. We bought a can of the Rustoleom Universal in Espresso today and painted it in our back yard on the grass, and boy you weren’t kidding… this stuff reeks! But it works fast and now we have a fab ‘new’ chair to match our living room. Thanks! I should’ve taken B&A photos, but was too excited to hunt down the camera. lol
Kim says
Firstly, I love your webiste!
My question is, I noticed that there is also a Rustoleum Universal All Surface Spray Primer for sale on their website. Did you, or have you used that? Also did you wear a mask when spray painting? Thanks.
YoungHouseLove says
Nope, we didn’t need the primer and we didn’t wear a mask since we were outside in the garage with the door open. Now that we know how strong it is, a mask isn’t a bad idea, but nothing is more important than ventillation. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Olga says
Would you recomment painting a dresser by hand, or can I spray paint? I want to have a nice smooth finish, and I think if I paint it with a brush, it still won’t be the same kind of finish as you can get with a spray can. The dresser is not too big, so it’s possible, but I don’t know how you decide what to paint and what to spray paint?
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Olga,
We recommend painting furnishings with a paint brush (using this tutorial) since we’ve used high quality brushes to get seamless pieces that look streak free and perfect time and time again. The problem with spray paint is that it’s thinned out so it can be sprayed so it creates drips and doesn’t dry as uniformly as regular latex paint applied with a brush. It’s just our personal opinion though, so if you’d rather spray you’ll probably get a great result that way too (as long as you apply thin and even coats from about 8″ away to avoid drips and imperfections). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Heather D says
I know this is an older post, but I just read it and it made me laugh because I painted 4 dining room chairs with the same rustoleum spray paint, and I too was bare foot while doing it! It looked like I had black toe nail polish on for quite a while! Wish I had read this sooner!
Jessica says
We have some shutters on the front of our house that we want to paint black. Would you recommend this stuff for that? Thanks for all your great ideas!
Jessica
YoungHouseLove says
I would paint them with a semi-gloss latex paint and a small brush (it will probably take a few coats). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Stephanie says
I just found this site and love it! I laughed out loud at the Rustoleum stories. I used the hammered metal Rustoleum on our 80s gold light fixtures (looks great!), but accidentally Rustoleumed part of my leg too. It looked like I had a bruise for about 2 weeks until my sister suggested nail polish remover. Genius!
YoungHouseLove says
So glad you found us! And your sprayed leg story is too funny. We can totally relate. Good thing your genius sister came up with the nail polish remover idea!
xo,
s
Ladyo says
I have some gray padded card table chairs gray that I want to spray paint black can I use the rustoleum on the padded seat and the metal? I just happened to run across your site and I love it. Thank you for all of the good info.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Ladyo,
Good question! The only way to change the color of the fabric seats is to reupholster them (I would definitely not spray them as they’ll crack and peel with use). Instead you could leave the seats as is (unless you want to reupholster them) and cover them with plastic bags and tape so you can spray the rest of the chair without getting Rustoelum on those fabric seat cushions. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
KP says
How should I prep my metal surface before I spray it? Should I scuff it up with sand paper or just go for it and paint?
YoungHouseLove says
As long as your metal surface is clean of grease and oil and not flaking off or cracked you can just go straight to spraying it with a high quality spray paint like Rustoleum. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
qhaha says
hi, i just came across this post on spray paint. I was considering chucking these teal plastic stackable chairs that my in-laws gave us…but now I’m thinking we can salvage them! The chairs have silver metal legs and the seat and back are made of plastic. Is it OK to spray paint plastic?
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, as long as you use the exact spray paint that we mentioned here by name (it’s made for plastic and metal) it’ll work like a charm. Definitely spray them in a ventilated area though- it’s strong stuff!
xo,
s
karla says
I have an old pine dining table that I’d like to update and get a few more years of use out of, until the kids are old enough to not beat up a real piece of replacement furniture. I’ve read your recommendations for the paint brush tutorial, but I prefer the spray paint option. Can you recommend a durable brand of spray paint? And should I use a finish coat/sealer of some sort?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Karla,
We like high quality spray paint (the $7 a can stuff not the 99 cent stuff) and have had great luck with the Rustoleum brand. We would first recommend sanding the table lightly, then using a spray primer to get some nice durability, then following that with three to four super light coats of Rustoleum and then you can use a clear water-based spray sealant to finish things off (just be sure it’s water based so it doesn’t discolor things). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
karla says
Thanks, Sherry. I’ll let you know how it goes!
Katie says
Just wanted to offer an alternative to the Rustoleum- we used Krylon’s Fusion for Plastic spray recently on some old plastic patio furniture and it worked great! I ended up deciding on Krylon because they had waaaaaay more color options. However, when I didn’t see any colors I like on Rustoleum, I emailed them and they said, “I would recommend priming the chairs first with our Specialty Plastic Primer, it can then be topcoated with just about any of our paint.” Thought that was good info to pass along :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for the tip Katie! Good to know!
xo,
s
Carla says
The chairs look great, guys!
I’m ready embrace spraypainting! I have some knick-knacks that just look out of place and mismatched as they are displayed now. I think if I spray paint them all glossy white I can give the space a more cohesive look. Do you think the Rustoleum that you have recommended would be too heavy duty for knick-knacks?
Thanks! :)
YoungHouseLove says
It should actually work really well! Good luck!
xo,
s
Carla says
Sherry, seriously, you’re amazing. I’m beyond impressed with the time and care that you put in to repsonding to each and every person! Thank you both for taking the time, we all appreciate it so much.
Carla
Taylor says
Can you spray paint forced air heating ducts? We are changing the color of a room and the ducts/vents look really out of place.
Thanks,
Taylor
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Taylor,
It’s definitely a personal choice (some people paint vent covers and even light switches to blend with the walls while others leave them white) but you absolutely can paint the vent attached to a forced air heating duct (either by removing it and spray painting it or leaving it in place and gently applying thin and even coats of paint with a brush until it blends right in). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Lauren says
Hello! Thanks for this wonderful website! I would really love to spray paint some outdoor chairs to better match the table we have on our deck but I live in New York City and the only place I could do it would be on our deck. I haven’t spray painted anything (and never furniture) in a long time. I’m wondering how much I should worry about inadvertently spray painting other things on my deck (like the floor – especially as we rent, fence, grill, etc.). So, how big of a tarp/cardboard do you think I’d want to put down and how much space should I try to keep between the chair and other items I want to keep paint-free? Thanks so much! You guys have definitely inspired me to take on some new projects (like sprucing up our deck!) when it warms up!
Best,
Lauren
YoungHouseLove says
You’ll definitely want to get some plastic drop cloths to cover the fence, grill, etc (you can get them at any hardware store or the Home Depot on 23rd St) Then you can use cardboard (or more drop cloths) to completely cover the floor of your deck so nothing gets any overspray. There’s definitely enough wind on a balcony to carry spray paint all over everything else out there so be sure to protect everything you can before you start! It might also bear mentioning that John and I spray painted a bunch of frames down on the sidewalk in front of an old apartment (we stayed out there all day with them reading and hanging out while they dried) so if you’re afraid of the balcony and can carry things out to the curb you might also be able to use a simple drop cloth out there to get ‘er done. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Kelly says
Your website rocks and is helping me save a ton of mula as I update my home!
I was wondering about spray painting doorknobs and door hinges… do you think it’s a good idea or something better left undone and just buying new ones would look better?
Thanks for all of the great tips and advice!!
Kelly
YoungHouseLove says
One option (the spray paint) is a good low-budget quick fix that probably won’t last forever but will certainly tide you over for a while as you save your pennies. The other option (replacement) is the best long-term solution (we plan to replace all of the old hinges and door knobs in our house, which is a bit expensive but actually makes all the doors look new and even elevates the perceived value of your home). One is sort of a budget shortcut but the other is definitely the better long-lasting approach which offers undeniable appeal (and looks a lot more flawless than any spray job could). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Melissa says
Your not the only one Sherry! I spray painted in my crocks, and then noticed later that day when I took them off that I had black dots all over my feet!
Stefanie says
Love the website!! I recently stumbled upon your site and have gotten some wonderful ideas. My husband and I have had these boring, outdated, UGLY night stand lamps that he bought when he moved into his college apartment. They are brass with an ugly cream/white lampshade. I was strolling through Walmart and found 2 gorgeous lampshades in a silvery-sage color with vine print all over them for a whopping $4/each. I ended up spray painting the lamps themselves a glossy chocolate brown to match the decor in our master bedroom. So new lamps = $40+ versus my first DIY project (thanks to you guys) a grand total of $7.00 — THANKS!
margaret calafato says
Hi Sherry,
I have an outdoor patio table with tempered glass- have you ever tried to spray paint anything like that?
By the way- I LOVE this site! Your ideas are great.
Thanks
Margaret
YoungHouseLove says
You can definitely spray paint that outdoor table (just get some high quality Rustoleum that works on outdoor items). Of course you can’t spray the tempered glass, but the framing of the furniture will take spray paint quite well. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Jamie says
Wondering if the spray paint held up for a long time on the chair material (specifically the material that was originally yellow)? We bought a similar set off CL recently and husby is worried that spray paint won’t adhere to the polyester/PVC coated material, or that it will flake off easily after a few lounges. I showed him this blog post and he still doesn’t seem convinced, so I thought I’d go straight to the source! Your thoughts?
Thanks so much!
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, years later it’s still working for us. But again, we used the expensive stuff with the trigger that we mentioned by name in this write-up, so resist the urge to buy the store-brnad $2 generic stuff and go with the high quality Rustoleum for around $7. And be sure to spray in a well ventilated area!
xo,
s
pat says
I have an old cedar chest that belonged to my grandmother. I really want to paint it bright red, or glossy white, wondering if I can use the spray paint on it or would I be better off using a semigloss latex and rolling…the chest has been sanded and does not have a glossy coat finish now.
Advice?
YoungHouseLove says
Check out our How To tab under the blog header and in the first section click on the “paint almost any piece of furniture” link for a tutorial. That’s what we would recommend for your chest. Good luck!
xo,
s
Beth says
Hola Youngsters!
I was reading this post and immiediatly thought of my ceiling fan. It is white with brass brackets over the blades and a brass motor cover. I hate to buy a new fan when this one works just fine and thought maybe I could paint or spray paint the brass so it doesn’t reek of 1988. It sounds like this Rustoleum could do just to the trick. But that stuff is so fumey and toxic that I’m a bit turned off.
What are your thoughts regarding how toxic this stuff is? Is it bad to spray those fumes into the air? Do you think it contiues to give off voc’s even after it’s cured? Should I paint it the old school way instead with oil based primer? Your thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks and yall really do a fabulous job with this blog!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Beth,
Unfortunately both oil-based primer and the Rustoleum stuff are fumey and full of VOCs- so you could go either route and end up with a great looking fan but you’ll definitely want to take the fan down and work on it in a well ventilated area (whether that’s your garage, your yard, wherever). If you give it around a week or two to really cure up you shouldn’t smell a thing when you bring it inside (most of the offgassing occurs when things are in the process of drying/curing) so that would be our advice. Of course you can also try out a latex-based primer and paint in one (Behr makes one of these) which is notably less stinky and off-gassey, but also usually a bit less durable and long lasting. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Beth says
Thanks so much Sherry!!
Kristin says
I just got a patio set off craigslist that looks very similiar only the chairs are folding. I’d love to take the chairs from their dreary beige to something a bit more fun. Do you have any tips regarding spray painting the sling material on your chairs?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Kristin,
Thin and even coats applied from a good distance away seems to be the key to keeping the sling material from getting too drippy or uneven. Five thin coats are better than two heavy and drippy ones!
xo,
s
Stacy says
Congrats on the birth of your daughter! She is just adorable! We are expecting our own pink bundle of joy in August and I’m wondering about rehabbing a glider we bought second hand. The frame is an oak type finish, but the rest of our furniture is espresso. So, the question is do you think it is reasonable/feasible to spray paint the glider frame the color we want? There are a lot of moving parts and pieces to a glider frame that make the idea of using a brush or roller rather daunting. But I’m also concerned about the look we will get from spray painting. Plus, there is the whole off-gassing issue that we want to avoid in the nursery. Any new eco-friendly spray paint options?
Thanks for your help!
Stacy
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Stacy,
We actually would advise against spray paint of any kind. The ideal thing to do would be to sand everything down (very thoroughly) and then restain it that dark color you like. We’re afraid spray paint would bubble and scrape off since you mention all those moving pieces (and most oak furnishings are polyurethaned/varnished, which wouldn’t take very well to spray paint at all). Perhaps the second best solution would be to follow this tutorial (don’t forget to sand, use oil-based primer, and apply thin and even coats of latex paint). Hope it helps! And good luck with your little girl.
xo,
s
Becky S. says
If I get my two big projects done this weekend I’m going to call this weekend “Labor Day” instead of “Memorial Day”! I wrote earlier about being inspired by your earlier post to make panels for my living room and dining room windows with 10+ year old fabric from This End Up, and when I’m done with that…plus when the rain leaves Richmond by Sunday…I hope to spray paint some porch furniture gifted us by a friend. My question, though, is how do you decide whether to use a flat finish or a glossy one? I have a round table, 4 chairs, and a glider. All pieces are metal…perhaps even wrought iron. The pieces are currently white but I’m thinking I’ll use the heavy duty spray paint you recommend, but in black. Do you think a primer would be necessary, or just two thin coats? As always, thanks for your help!
YoungHouseLove says
No spray primer is necessary, and just apply as many thin and even coats that you need (going from white to black might take three or even four thin ones, but they’ll go on super quickly). As for the glossy vs. flat thing, it’s personal preference. If you want to maintain the wrought-iron look go with flat or semi-gloss at the most. But if you want something glossy and shiny the high gloss option is best. Good luck!
xo,
s
mwiscombe says
Cool website! I have some vintage metal furniture. You know, the kind from the 50’s with rounded frame and fanlike seat and back. Including a rocker type, and a round table with the round legs. Any tips on painting these…especially how to make it even and smooth, how to make sure you get the under side of the rounded frame without the paint running, etc.? Thanks for any help.
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YoungHouseLove says
Spray paint is definitely the way to go with this furniture over painting with a brush. Just apply thin and even coats holding the spray around 8-12 away from it. Keeping the nozzle a good distance away will help eliminate drips, and remember to always keep your hand moving (don’t hover over one spot for too long). Picking up the type of spray paint that we mentioned in this post will also help because it can easily be sprayed upside down and the trigger pull gives you more control. Good luck!
xo,
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