Inside: Yes you can spray paint plastic outdoor chairs to give them new life and add color to your outdoor living space! Read my tips for best results!
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! Ya see, we’ve had these disgusting plastic Adirondack chairs for years that leave a white chalky mark on your bee-hind.
I’ve tried rinsing them, and scrubbing them, but it just seemed to make them worse, and I’d get less dirty sitting on the ground…which sorta defeats the purpose of a chair right? But I am just not okay with getting rid of them before I try to fix them and I am so glad I did!
Who knew you could spray paint outdoor plastic chairs and that about an hour of my time would result in loving them again? And the best part? …I’ve been dying to use these bright colors and finally had a perfect excuse! Seriously, this project was so simple. It took me about an hour (broken up into two 30 minute spray sessions) to do 6 chairs.
Here’s how I spray painted plastic outdoor chairs:
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Supplies:
Spray paint: made to bond to plastic. About 1 can per chair.
- I used Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch (Colors: Lagoon and Key Lime)
- The sheen matters. I used 2 different sheens (gloss and satin) and although you couldn’t see a difference when they were first painted, the satin lasted a lot longer.
RELATED: My Spray Painted Plastic Chairs, One Year Later
How I Painted Plastic Outdoor Chairs
- Clean ’em: I simply hosed down the chairs using a fancy nozzle I call my thumb to get the water to come out with some pressure.
- Dry ’em: I allowed them to dry completely in the sun. (Then make sure they aren’t too hot before applying your paint.
- Prep your space: I don’t like the cleanup part of any project and try to avoid it as much as possible so I did my spraying 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.
- Paint ’em: Spray each chair with a thin coat of spray paint. 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.
- **Tip: It may be best to start with the bottom side of the chair to get your rhythm down even though I didn’t even paint the bottom of ours.
- Second coat: I let the first coat dry for about 30 minutes before spraying my 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.
- Final inspection: 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.
- Let ’em 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.
I should mention that 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??? 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?
RELATED: Click here to see how my chairs look 1 year later!
Deanne says
Mine was doing chalky powder too I found out that it was too hot out and the mist when I was spraying was drying before touching the plastic. So I used a micro fiber cloth wipe off the plastic table I was doing and put another coat once it started to get dark out no chalky powder. I should have known. I’m doing the chairs tomorrow and was looking up how people have done chairs.
Corey Willis says
Great tip, Deanne! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Geronimo S. says
Omg Im so going to try this Thanks
Diane says
Should I sand the chairs before painting?
Corey Willis says
Hey Diane! You definitely want them to be smooth and very clean so the paint will stick. I’m not sure sanding plastic is necessary, but giving them a good scrub is a good idea. If they’re wood, then yes, sand them first.
Jasmine Paulos says
I loved your article.This is simply amazing .We have lots of plastic chairs which looks way boring.I was thinning of doing something but didn’t know how to proceed.Your article going to help me a lot to give a different look to my chairs.Thanks for sharing this really amazing article.
Corey Willis says
You’re so welcome Jasmine. Good luck with your paint project!
Adam Smith says
That’s some pretty neat tips to color the boring plastic chairs. looks like I do need to color my chairs. Anyway thanks for the share.
Sushant Sharma says
Hey….that was very helpful !
One question though…how many chairs can I cover with One can (340 gms)
Thanks 🙂
Corey Willis says
Hey Sushant! I used about one can per chair 🙂
Maureen Diaz says
Hi Corey! Well done!It’s really helpful article.Most of the time it happens we discard a lot of things without giving it a second though which ultimately cost us unreasonably high.Sometimes it’s because we don’t have enough knowledge of the utility.Thanks for sharing such a valuable idea:)
Corey Willis says
You are so right, Maureen! Thanks for the input!
Peggy Cee says
I used SOS pads to clean mine first. The chalky residue came right off with hardly any scubbing. It roughed up the finish and the paint adhered well. They are beautiful and you do not have to wear the color on your tush. 🙂
Corey Willis says
Great tip, Peggy!!
Mogie says
Awesome info! Don’t need to run to the store and buy new give your old stuff a face lift with a few cans of spray paint. Just finished my Grandparents old metal framed chairs (60+ years old). They had MANY layers of paint on them. The sanding was the worst part. But now they are both shiny green and haven’t looked this good in years. Next step is the plastic lawn chairs. They are about 10 years old and need help. But that is just a spray can away. Reduce, reused, recycle!
Corey Willis says
Awesome, Mogie! And I totally agree!
Rosemary says
What about vinyl lawn chairs. Still strong but look weathered any idea if I could paint these?
Corey Willis says
Yes, you can follow my technique but use a Rustoleum spray paint specifically formulated for vinyl. Happy painting, Rosemary!
Anna says
Do you think this will work on resin wicker furniture (walmart kind not the fancy JoPa kind!)
Corey Willis says
Hey Anna, I’ve never tried spray painting wicker. Sorry I’m not more help here.
Tom Stuart says
Absolutely! You can spray paint wicker, but be sure to clean (and dry) very thoroughly and then use a multi-material primer layer. I painted mine white so the white primer acted like a base coat anyway….
Diana Dobson says
Whenever your doing a paint project, always buy twice the amount you think you will need. Better to have too much than run out. You can return what you don’t use.
Corey Willis says
Great tip, Diana! Thanks for your input!
Sue says
How did your clean time resin before spray painting? I’ve been trying to get this done for over a year. I’m using a nice Mediterranean Blue, think Greece.
Tammy says
I sprayed painted my brown resin wicker chairs white! The white is flaking off. How do I get this white paint off? I decided to leave it brown! Please help. I was told to use a pressure washer to take it off.
Corey says
Hey Tammy. I’ve never tried removing paint from wicker. Sorry I’m not more help here.
Beth says
I have purchased 4 white chairs with the idea to paint the backs to look like a piano keyboard. I am a musician and if they turn out right, will donate the chairs as a silent auction item for the group I sing with. Have you ever done anything that specialized, and do you have suggestions about how to even begin?
Corey says
Any time I’ve done detail like that, I’ve used really thin painters tape to get really clean lines. It means extra steps, but it’s worth it.
Sandy Murphy says
Thanks for the info, Corey. I didn’t use primer either and I feel like I used quite a bit of paint. I tried to use a sweeping motion while spraying and I was worried about using too much, but since you mentioned using a thick coat, I guess I didn’t use too much (even though I used more than one can).
Sandy Murphy says
Love your idea and the color! Went out and bought the exact same color (satin lagoon). I scrubbed my 2 chairs with a brush and used the hose to rinse and let them dry for hours before painting. Ran out of paint before finishing my second chair. Had to wait about 2-3 weeks to finish a little bit of touch up on 1st chair (due to back problems). I waited at least 3 weeks before even thinking about sitting on it. I also kept it in the garage for several days to dry right after spraying it (so it wouldn’t get rained on). I used an old towel to dry off the raindrops and noticed blue paint! Now I’m afraid to let anyone sit on it. I didn’t use primer. Any suggestions?
Corey says
Hi Sandy. I didn’t use primer either but didn’t have this issue so I’m not really sure. I have found that a nice thick coat is better than light coats in this case cause it makes a really hard laquer like finish. Sorry you are having trouble. Wish I was close so I could come take a look!
Becky Smith says
I just painted mine with the exact same paint she used. I put mine in the garage a couple days after I finished them because it was suppose to rain. They got a little dusty so I went to brush them off with a soft cloth and the color came off on my cloth. Now I am also afraid to sit in them.
Corey Willis says
Hey Becky, Did you clean the chairs really well before applying? This hasn’t happened to me, but I’m sorry you are having trouble. It may very much depend on how old the plastic is and if it is able to absorb the paint. Also did you happen to use a primer?
Teresa says
What about using a clear coat afterwards? Maybe if you do that the color won’t wipe off. What do you think Corey?
Lakeita says
I would imagine your garage is too humid. Spray paint takes longer to fully cure if it’s humid.
Tracy says
I did the exact same thing this weekend. I used the same green. I used seaside for the blue. I also painted one ye!low & one red. Did the same w/ my yardsale lanterns. It prompted my husband to buy a matching patio umbrella.
Geri Kay says
I have 2 that are needing a facelift so going today to buy paint.
Eleanor Francis says
I love spray paint!! I do wish there were a wider range of colors. I’ve learned to do several very light coats to avoid drips.
Vonnie says
How many cans of pant per chair or how many chairs does one can of paint cover? Thank you
Vivien says
Yes I would like to know too!
Kathleen Murphy says
Very good article. I really want to try this soon.
BTW, do you remember where you got those particular plastic resin Adirondack chairs? I’m asking because the new batch of A-chairs out there have been redesigned and I do not like the so-called lumbar support bump that they have now. Also, I have looked all over for the former design of the matching footstools. The “old” footstools were flat, not sloped like the “new & improved” design.
Another case of a redesign that doesn’t meet many customers wants and needs. Thanks!
Corey W. says
Hello. We got them at Home Deopt. I think they are the old version.
Denise says
Love this idea and my chairs look great–except there are chips in the paint after only one week. Did you have this problem? Any ideas of how to keep them from chipping again after I re-paint.
Thanks for any insight,
Denise
Corey W. says
Hmmmm…. mine didn’t chip. Make sure you clean them really well and you may want to use a primer this time around just to be sure. Sorry to hear you had some trouble. That can be frustrating.
Gina says
Can you tell me how well you scrubbed them? Did you get all of that chalky stuff off? What did you use besides water? Thank you.
Corey W. says
Hi Gina. I just used a kitchen sponge with a rough side. Not all of the chalky stuff came off, but they were better than when I started. The paint did just fine without getting all of the chalky stuff off first.
Gina says
Hi,
I have exactly the same chairs with the same horrible chalky residue on them. Did you have to remove the chalky substance before painting? I went to Home Depot to buy my paint (ironically Satin Lagoon and a Satin Eden). The guy there told me to use TSP and steel wool to scrub off the white chalky residue, then dry then paint 2 coats. So far I have only scrubbed 1 chair (I have 4 lol) and it was exhausting. Just wondering if you scrubbed that off first or am I wasting my time. My friends think I am crazy to waste so much time painting 17.00 chairs lol.
Thank you
jamie says
Hi there these chairs are beautiful!! Did you need to prime them first??
Corey W. says
Hi Jamie. I didn’t prime them first. I just cleaned them and made sure they were dry before using 2 coats of spray paint.
Lyn Brownfield says
fantastic idea, will try this on my shabby chairs, thanks
Robin says
Where did you find the spray paint? I found almost the exact same can you used but it doesn’t list plastic as one of the surfaces.
tinysidekick says
Hi Robin! I found the spray paint at Home Depot. Each color seems to come in a different finish though, so it can be tricky. Let me know if you have more questions.
Lauren @ Mom Home Guide says
Thanks so much for the tutorial! I am so going to try this on m lawn chairs! I might even use the same colors as you did!
Lauren Davison says
love theses colors! thanks for the tips! I am so turning our plastic chairs into these next week!
-Lauren
Chrissy @ Adventures in DIY says
This is another great example of the wonders of spray paint! Excellent! (Love the colors too!).
Krista thehappyhousie says
Okay, I seriously have to try this. I have blue wooden ones but my old beige plastic ones are looking pretty sad. Thanks for the informative and funny tutorial!
Krista@ thehappyhousie