I have a couple of quick and easy spray paint projects to show you. Not only am I going to show you how to spray paint plastic chairs, I'll also show you how to refresh metal patio furniture with spray paint.
If you're looking for tips and ideas, you can find more projects here: The Power of Spray Paint
First, let's talk about the ugliest chairs ever!
Spray Paint Plastic Chairs
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Do you have some of these cheap plastic chairs that are ridiculously stained and ugly? I had 4 that I had so long, I don’t even know where they came from. Did you know you can spray paint plastic chairs?
So, I had all this spray paint . . .
Can you believe this stash? My sister gave it to me when she quit crafting. Years later and I still had some left because I had been trying to make it last.
How To Paint Plastic Chairs
- Clean your old chairs. This may just need a hose, as in my case. Or you may need to use a cleaning or degreasing product.
- Allow the chairs to dry thoroughly.
There are two main enemies of spray paint. Those would be dirt and water.
I hosed down two of the ugly chairs, and left them in the sun to dry.
Then I painted them! It was just an experiment, the chairs were so ugly, I really didn’t have anything to lose. Each chair did take an entire can of paint.
So, I’m not sure it’s all that thrifty to paint your chairs. However, it did keep them out of the landfill. At first, I wasn’t sure how well it would hold up, but it's actually been years since I painted them.
They held up so well, that when I no longer needed them, I put them to the curb and a neighbor took them.
Would you believe, that they are now being used by a second neighbor?
The paint seemed to cure over the first few days to where I thought they could actually be stacked. That is something that is important with all paint--you must let it cure thoroughly.
At least now when I sat in them after painting them, I didn't get that nasty white film on my clothes.
Now, how about another quick paint project?
Spray Painting Metal Furniture
Years ago I traded my cousin Terry this patio set for a concrete table and benches. I definitely got the better end of the deal. I think these chairs will last forever! They had been a cream color in their younger days. When I got them from Terry, they were black. But the black paint had been peeling a lot, so I thought it was time for a makeover.
I used this Dual paint from Krylon. It’s a paint an primer in one. It took several cans to do this project.
I painted this small table to match the chairs.
Do you love the new color as much as I do? So much better than the peeling black paint. Isn’t spray paint amazing?
gail
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
Frani
I absolutely love what you did with your metal chairs!!! The color is lovely. Just one problem, I cannot seem to find that color ort a choice of any colors but black and white. Help! You make me want to do all my patio and porch metal chairs. ♥
Frani
Gail Wilson
Thank you Frani!
You should try The Home Depot or Lowes for spray paint.
good luck, have fun!
gail
Kim
I have a wrought iron table with wheels that needs a paint touch up. Did you use a metal brush on yours to get rid of the loose paint before you painted them. Thanks.
Gail Wilson
Kim
Yes, I first hosed them, then used a metal brush, then hosed them again. Be sure to let the dry thoroughly.
good luck!
gail
Jennie W
They look very halloween! I love it. If you live where it’s hot and dry like Arizona, give them a good sit and wiggle. Even not sitting in the sun the plastic starts to break down. Your beautiful chairs though may not hold a friend
Gail Wilson
lol
Jennie,
I was just looking at some my friend painted at the same time I did mine. She said hers will put you right on the ground after being in the sun all these years. Mine were kept under my carport out of full sun. 🙂
gail
Laura Kobat
Did you sand the rust and put on a primer on the green iron/ metal chairs first? I have a lot of chairs exactly like this and need to do an overhaul. Past spray painting was a Rustoleum paint which eventually peels off.
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Laura,
I hosed it off to remove flaky paint, then used a wire brush (sort of) It's been several years and there are a few white places showing through, but I honestly think unless you sandblast something to remove all the chippy paint and rust, nothing is going to cover it completely forever. 🙂
gail
Tammy
I think the chairs look amazing..!!
CHRIS CUMERLATO
We sprayed our plastic shutters and they came out beautiful . Been on 5 yrs.
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
great job Chris! I love the power of spray paint.
gail
Cyndy
Is there a certain type/ brand of spray paint that works better than others on plastic? I want to paint some cheap drawer units from walmart
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Cyndy
Krylon makes a fusion paint for plastic. However, If you use primer first or make sure your plastic is "roughed" up a little, other Krylon paints will work well also.
Here are the key things to remember.
Clean
let dry
prime
paint
cure (curing is the most important in my opinion) I generally wait several days to several weeks before using my pieces when they are apt to get a lot of abuse. 🙂
good luck!
gail
Deadhead9
I used the "Paint Plastic" Krylon spray paint to paint over an older car top carrier we turned into a pull behind a motorcycle trailer topper.
The top had been an off white sorta no-color color and the base was a gray. We wanted the top to match the bike (dark yellow and black) and so we used black for the frame of the trailer (metal frame) and the topper.
I think this stuff is not what it has been cracked up to be. From practically the moment we sprayed it on it has been coming off! We did prep the surface by washing and de-greasing and priming. (Tho the can claims you don't have to prime). Even in the driveway the stuff was chipping off! And when we took it on it's "Maiden Voyage" who Nellie did it ever chip. Looks like it has a disease.
If anyone has any other ideas for coating this topper PLEASE let me know! The trailer is put away for the winter now but come spring we will be using it all the time and I hate to think of this behind our beautiful and rare bike!
jmloebel (at) g mail (dot) com
Anonymous
I used the Krylon plastic paint on my plastic chairs. After 5 years they are just starting to show the need to repaint.
Marie Strickland
I used the Krylon several years ago. Painted them a medium blue and they are still usable.
Showing signs of wear now but no complaints. It works great.
Laurel Stephens
Blue and Orange!?! Go Boise State!!
Stephanie
I think my stash is your stash's twin 🙂 You can never have enough spray paint in my book. I have one plastic chair that I keep up by my studio, gonna reach into my stash and spray it now that I have seen yours!
Debilou ~ Mississippi Mama
both of the do overs look good.. I have one of those ugly plastic chairs sitting on the back porch.. think I will try to paint it. Did you use spray paint for plastic or just the regular paint?
Korrie Bastian
Everything looks great!
Rose @ Confessions of a Curbshopaholic
ooh, love the new colors on the plastic chairs! They look great.
That is such a pretty wrought iron set, and the green is very classy.
Suzanne@Meridian Road
Yes, it is amazing! Your chairs certainly got a new life, and your patio set looks really good.
Grammy Goodwill
WOW - what a haul of spray paint you were lucky enough to be given! I can't believe how expensive it has gotten. I love how the orange chair turned out - that's my favorite color. BTW, my friend painted hers several years ago and they're still holding up.
Rosemary@villabarnes
I love DUAL paint. Have it in my stash. Great updates,Gail.
Toqua's Crafts
WOW! You could nearly open up a shop for selling spray paint! LOL What a nice stash to have! Your 'new' lawn furniture looks fantabulous!!
sally beresford
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Amalia
I have a metal chair that could use some spray painting! Do I need to care if there are any rusty looking areas before spray painting? - Thanks! - Amalia
Sandi @ The Primitive Skate
How Awesome! I have some of those plastic chairs that need a makeover, too! I will have to put this on my looong to-do list! That's quite a stash of paint, lol! Have a wonderful day!
sandraall;en260@centurytel.net
Nadine @ Chic with the Kool-Aid Mustache
Wow...I have spray paint envy! I love the hunter green on the wrought iron set...it's my favorite color. I bought a metal pub style patio table & chair set from a yard sale for $15 and brought it home and cleaned it up repainted it with that green and we eat dinner on it almost every evening.
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.
Your patio furniture is looking good! And holy cow Gail, that's quite the stash of spray paint!
Donna OShaughnessy
Amazing and cheerful. I think I will paint my toilet that purple color. It's been leaving white marks on my clothes whenever I sit on it too. Love your blog!!
sandra
I repainted my cheap old chairs a few years ago using Fusion paint, and they are still in great condition. Fusion Spray Paint actually bonds with the plastic, no rub off, flaking, peeling etc. I love it for anything plastic. It is available at Walmart in my area.
I love the colors you chose, the dark green is what I have on my patio table and chairs.
Roseline
How long did you have to wait to be completly dry?
Thanks
Roseline
Gail Wilson
Roseline,
Spray paint dries very quickly when the weather is ideal. Every spray paint is different. Read the can to see when you should recoat. Some need to be within a small window or AFTER 24 hours.
I like to let my projects fully cure. These chairs have held up really well. The best part is they don't leave that chalky residue all over your clothes.
have fun, good luck!
gail
Carwin Candids
The color is so fun! I wish I could inherit that much spray paint! Your patio set looks great, I love how paint can make such a difference.
Miss S.
I love spray paint. I have a small cast iron bistro set. It was black and just looked boring next to the house. I painted it bright red and now its cheerful and cute. Small change, big impact!
Heather @ The JUNKtion
Love the new and refreshed look. I use that Krylon paint often and love it. Great coverage.
Corn in my Coffee-Pot
Well, yeah! I love the bright colors you used on the plastic chairs. I've spray painted some of those chairs. I had black and that is what I used. But That was years ago...now they are peeling...it could also be that I used El Cheapo spray paint. I could probably save them and repaint using something more suitable for plastic.
That orange and purple...smokin'HOT. love 'em .
Pat
Anne
NOW you tell me! I got rid of all my plastic stuff!!! Love the new colourful look.
xox
Proper Prim
Those plastic chairs are amazing all painted up... I have two that need a major clean up too.
I would give my eye teeth for your rod iron set. I have been on the look out forever for one of those sets. I came close a couple years ago but I passed it up and have been kicking myself since. I really like the colour you chose... nice job.
Wow that is one big selection you got yourself there... and that stuff is not cheap. Lucky you.
Glad to see you are back at it... stay cool.
Hugs,
Deb
middle child
I would be afraid to paint my plastic shairs. The paint doesn't rub off on clothes when you sit on them? I may try it. They look awesome!
Full Circle Creations
Easy remakes with some pizazz! The chairs are so much better with a little color! And that's one great stash of spray paint! You've got me beat!
Holly
Susan @ homeroad.net
Now that's a stash of spray paint! I love the set in dark green, looks so rich and new! Great job and lucky you!
Susan
Homeroad.net
Terri
These all look great...awesome job!