Painting wicker furniture? Do or don't?
by
Laurie Harry
+8
I have three old wicker chairs that I want to clean up and make new cushions for an outdoor seating area I plan to make inside my carport. I thought I might want to paint them white, but am seeing comments that make me think twice - the wicker can't "breathe", it will crack, and you have to repaint them every year. Is there another technique to give the wicker a shine? These chairs will not be out in the weather, although they will be left outside year round (in the carport or porch area).
8 answers
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I would not pay attention to the comments that you have read. With proper preparation to the chairs,there should be no reason for them not to hold up. Worse case they get repainted.After your paint dries,use a gloss clear spray protector.
Janet Pizaro
on May 26, 2016
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Thanks. Should I choose not to paint them, would the clear gloss protector still be ok?
Laurie Harry
on May 26, 2016
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I would it will protect the chairs better.
Janet Pizaro
on May 26, 2016
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Wicker has been a routinely painted product for ages. I'd give your chairs a good brushing to clean them up and use Krylon Fusion spray paint.mseveral light coats should give you nice coverage. Then top it off with a clear finish spray in your choice of sheen.
MN Mom
on May 26, 2016
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I think it was Martha Stewart who painted a wicker furniture set years and years ago. But in her case she took them to an auto shop and had them use commercial grade auto paint! I think today's premium spray paints will do the job very well. Test your glossy sealer on an inconspicuous spot before spraying all over your new paint. Sometimes the sealer and paint react and blister.
Ann
on May 26, 2016
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Thanks everyone for your wonderful tips. I will give them a try.
Laurie Harry
on May 26, 2016
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Clean the Chair Start by vacuuming off the dust, and wipe off loose dirt and cobwebs. To get into the grooves and small crevices, cut off the bristles on an old paintbrush, leaving about 1" of the bristles remaining. The bristles will still be soft, but they'll be stiff enough to help dust the furniture. An air compressor also works well for blowing out dust. Use a wire brush with a scraper to remove old paint and rust from the solid portions of wicker furniture. After wiping off loose dirt, wash the furniture with a sponge and liquid detergent. Keep the sponge damp rather than wet, and use as much foam as possible. For mildewed areas, add 1 cup bleach to the water. Wear latex gloves to protect hands from splinters while washing the furniture. When finished, rinse the furniture with a spray bottle filled with clean water. Avoid soaking the wicker: if you do, you'll have to wait quite a while for it to dry before you can repair it. When the furniture is dry, check for areas that need to be repaired. Most loose wicker can be repaired with hot glue or carpenter's glue. Spray Paint the Chair Now that the furniture is prepared, begin painting with spray paint or a power sprayer. It's preferable to paint indoors, where no dust or insects will spoil the finish. But paint outdoors if the ventilation isn't adequate inside. Use a good enamel paint suitable for wicker furniture (most paint labels list the surfaces the product is suitable for). Hold the spray can 8" to 10" away from the furniture, and spray back and forth for the most even coverage. If you're spray-painting indoors, use a respirator-type mask: the fumes can be fairly strong. After painting, don't allow anyone to sit in the chair for 48 hours. This will give the paint time to cure and prevent it from stretching.
William
on May 26, 2016
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Hi Laurie Harry, I love wicker furniture and have several pieces. Some are painted and some not. I believe if you seal them properly either with a sealant or paint and then a sealant, it will protect your furniture for generations to come. We just moved to the central coastal area of Coos bay/North bend, Oregon, so going from very hot and dry weather to damp weather means ( i think ) i should put a marine grade sealant on them. I don't have a covered patio or deck at the new house and i want to protect them as much as possible. I believe if your furniture is not an actual antique, then go ahead and paint it. If though, it is an antique, i would only seal it so the value isn't ruined. Every one else had very good tips on painting and prepping. Hope this helps, after all, go with your gut feelings and if you want them painted, then paint away dear ( :
Diena Cameron
on May 26, 2016
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