Indoor furniture turned outdoor furniture

Sheila Pruitt
by Sheila Pruitt
What kind of paint could I use to turn this indoor dining set into outdoor set? It would be exposed to the sun and rain and our dogs here in North Texas. The set belonged to my grandmother, my daughter has had it for years and now no longer has room. Nor do I inside. It's wood, we painted black when my daughter took it. Thanks!
  15 answers
  • Angela M Sheppard Angela M Sheppard on May 03, 2015
    You mite consider painting it with exterior house paint?
  • Lucy Nunn Lucy Nunn on May 03, 2015
    I had a similar situation and painted a bench black and set it outdoors. I went to Sherwin Williams and specifically asked them. I thought you needed marine quality paint. They said I didn't and sold me plain black spray paint. It's a disaster. I think you (and I both) need marine paint like they use on boats. I plan on going to the marine supply place to get it. I figure it's designed to hold up against the humidity.
  • Martha Earles Martha Earles on May 03, 2015
    please put a sealer on it to protect it from the out door temperature and environment
  • Annette Cumbee Annette Cumbee on May 03, 2015
    Following....as I am in need of the same ....
  • Jeani Miller Miner Jeani Miller Miner on May 03, 2015
    Annie Sloan Chalk paint available is so many colors. I painted a bench with duck egg blue about 6 years ago. it sits outside all year long although I'll through a plastic tarp over it if it rains hard for days on end. DO NOT WAX pieces used outdoors. Oh and the best part - you can use this paint right over the existing without sanding or priming. Yes, you read that right!!
    • See 2 previous
    • Jeani Miller Miner Jeani Miller Miner on May 10, 2015
      @Donna Makowski The paint holds up just fine without a sealer. The wax is typically used to give a nice luster or to protect table and dresser tops against spills etc. I have an antique chest of drawers in our bathroom which I waxed well on top. Water beads up (like splashes from hand washing) and I just wipe it up. Wax is water resistant, NOT water proof. You don't use the wax outside because it will trap moisture between the paint layer and wax which of course you wouldn't want.
  • Janet Ridgeway Janet Ridgeway on May 04, 2015
    We picked up about 6 rocking chairs at a second hand store to put on our large front porch. The Best paint I've found is the Beauti-Tone Rust Coat. Interior/Exterior Alkyd Paint. I used gloss white - two coats. It's a primer and paint in one and haven't had to touch anything up in 3 years now and that includes having them out on the porch in cold Canadian winters.
  • CK CK on May 08, 2015
    Truth be told, anything painted that's exposed to the elements will have damage in time. Anything horizontal (table top and chair seats) will be damaged first....sorry to say. I've found that spray paint seems to hold up better than plain exterior paint and primer. Oil paint is best for exterior items.
  • Sha480012 Sha480012 on Oct 30, 2015
    What about marine paint?
  • Jennyprrs Jennyprrs on Apr 05, 2017

    Rust oleum makes outdoor paint that you can get in a spray form or brush on. I would use that and possibly seal it with a waterproofing sealer . The outdoor paint may not even need to be sealed. I used some on a lite side table for my porch but I didn't seal it because it was under a covering.

  • Linda Pearson Linda Pearson on Apr 23, 2020

    I might try porch paint if I didn' mind shine

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Mar 05, 2021

    Hello there,

    Maybe a Paint suitable for Boats? Be prepared to have to paint or varnish them every year!

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Mar 08, 2021

    Interesting idea. Hope you get the answer that you need. I would always think that water + sun would be the enemy of UNTREATED wood and most painted surfaces do not hold up overtime with outdoor exposure. My PT decking in particular needs treatment every year!


    That being said I did paint Rustoleum UltraCover paint products on some flags, wood skiis, bird houses and also painted (and sealed with spar Varathane) a wooden gnome.

    Rustoleum UltraCover painted products have held up -so far out- of direct sun.

    I would suggest calling your favorite paint manufacturer and asking their official recommendation before proceeding with time trouble and cost of purchasing paint for your furniture.