Easy DIY: Spray Painting Plastic Chairs

I don't know about you but I'll be spending a good chunk of the summer in our backyard.

I can just see myself with a (sometimes adult) beverage in hand watching my kiddos play. It is like a dream… until I realized that there's no great place to sit!

For years all we had were old plastic Adirondack chairs that had been damaged by the sun and definitely weren't the colorful plastic chairs I keep seeing in the stores.

But I am just not okay with getting rid of them before trying to fix them and I am so glad I did!

Who knew they make paint that sticks to plastic and that about an hour of my time would result in loving my plastic yard furniture again?

This project was so simple. It took me about an hour (broken up into two 30 minute spray sessions) to do 6 chairs.

Update: See what these spray painted outdoor chairs look like one year later.

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How To Spray Paint Plastic Chairs

Prepping the plastic for paint

Step 1: Clean the plastic outdoor furniture

I simply hosed down the chairs using a fancy nozzle I call my thumb to get the water to come out with some pressure.

Step 2: Let them dry

I allowed them to dry completely in the sun. Then pulled them into the shade to make sure they weren't too hot before applying the spray paint.

Step 3: Prepare adequate space for spray painting patio furniture

I don't like the cleanup part of any project and try to avoid it as much as possible so I the best way to paint plastic chairs is right on the lawn. It made some marks, but they were gone after the lawn was mowed. If this isn't an option for you, use a drop cloth or old sheet.

Spray painting plastic outdoor chairs

Step 4: Apply the first coat of paint

Spray each chair with a thin coat of spray paint for plastic.

Hold the can about 10 inches from the surface of the plastic chair and keep the can moving while you spray. Don't worry about full coverage during this first coat of paint.

Step 5: Apply a second coat of paint

I let the first coat dry for about 30 minutes before applying a second coat. I think the directions say to wait a bit longer, but I am impatient and the kids' nap time is only so long.

Step 6: Inspect your work

You may have a few spots here and there to touch up. Get down and crawl around your chair and look at it from all angles to make sure all visible parts are painted… and to make your neighbor, who happens to peek over the fence to say hi during this step, think you're crazy.

Step 7: Let your furniture dry completely

The only thing worse than the original white stuff getting on my rear end would be spray paint. So I let them dry for the remainder of a warm afternoon and then waited a few days before anyone sat on them to be safe.

If it's really hot outside, it may be best to allow them to dry in the shade.

One more thing to note about patio furniture paint

A few people have reported that the chalky residue didn't go away after they painted their chairs - no good.

Honestly, I can't say why some work and some don't - it may be the material made to make the chair or how dry and brittle the plastic has become.

My best advice is to try this with one chair and see how it turns out before proceeding with the rest so you don't waste your time and money.

Don't you love these colorful plastic chairs now?

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