How do I paint fabric chairs?

Question

I have a glider rocking chair that has a velvet like fabric that I would like to change with paint as well as some other chairs with chenelle type fabric. It will be cheaper and less time to just paint them than to redo them. Can anyone tell me what I need to accomplish this? Do I prep the fabric? Do I need special paint? Any help with this will be greatly appreciated!!

Ria Young · Answer

To change the colour of the fabric you will need a dye, not paint. Paint dries o  n top and becomes hard, dye penetrates the fabric to change the colour. I know this from experience with silk screen printing on both paper and fabric.

LD · Answer

As Ria said, painting fabric makes it stiff feeling. If the glider rocking chair cushion is one that can just be replace I would go that route for it, if it a cushion that is part of the chair, here is a link showing you how to replace it: http://thediymommy.com/update-a-nursery-glider-rocking-chair/. Now in regards to your other chairs that you want to change, there are nice simple slip covers that you can buy, just do a search as slip covers for chairs. If you can't find the color your looking for, just dye it the color you want.

Mandy Willson Telford · Answer

I have seen Annie Sloan Chalk Paint used successfully on fabric here is a video of someone using it on Velvet . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX1yeuNOb3k

Maureen Chalmers-Poulson · Answer

I just took a class on how to paint furniture. There are a couple of secrets to it. One, use a chalk paint on the market (I use Miss Lillian's Chock Paint, www.misslillianpaint.com), don't make your own for this project. Second, use a spray bottle & soak the piece with water. The fabric needs to be very very wet, but not dripping. So as you paint the first coat make sure the area you are working is WET. When you lay down the first coat of paint it needs to be very THICK. Let it dry well & go onto the second coat & again, very heavy and let it dry. You will need a third coat & again it should be heavy. Once it's completely dry, you should have a piece that feels like suede. Good luck.

Liliana Wells · Answer

There are several tutorials on HomeTalk. I just wrote 'how to paint fabric chairs' on the search box above and several projects came up.

Ahmeans · Answer

If you search 'chalk paint on fabric' you'll get several projects. I've got one I'm trying right now. The tutorials said 3+ coats - my chair has 6 and needs 1 more, probably the type of fabric I'm working with. The waxing is supposed to be the key to getting it to not feel like hard crusty paint on fabric - I'm praying this is true since I've not gotten to that step. In theory it will feel like leather or canvas. If not oh well - it was a $5 garage sale chair that I can reupholster later.

Stephanie Coon/Rehab to Fab · Answer

I just finished a chair by using Heirloom Traditions Paint. They have a new product called FAB. It's a fabric primer & sealer. No need for diluted paint, spray bottle or wax. Check out the chair I did. http://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/furniture/from-ragged-to-fab-10221132

How do I paint fabric chairs?

From Ragged to FAB!

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How do I paint fabric chairs?

From Ragged to FAB!

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