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How to Spray Paint Plastic Chairs

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ByMarty Walden 05/02/202307/24/2023

Don’t throw away that UGLY outdoor furniture! This easy DIY ANYONE can do shows how to spray paint plastic chairs without spending a lot of money or time!

Red glossy plastic chair with floral pillow on deck

I like free stuff. Free is good, but sometimes you need to spruce up the free stuff. Know what I mean?

Today’s project is a short little tutorial on how to spray paint plastic chairs. I’m thinking you probably have a couple of ugly plastic outdoor chairs in your backyard that need a makeover, too! Or maybe a little kid’s table or side table made of plastic.

This chair was in dire need of transformation and since I love pops of color I knew the backyard was the perfect place for them.

Two red chairs for entertaining with pillows and snacks

Materials

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Spray Cleaner (You can even get one specifically for plastic)
Sandpaper Sheets
Medium/Coarse Sanding Sponge
Spray Paint for Plastic
Protective Gloss Top Coating

Instructions

Step 1. Find a chair or piece of furniture.

In our neighborhood, people are always throwing out chairs but you can also be on the lookout at yard sales and thrift stores.

Seriously, if everyone knew what a quick transformation a coat of spray paint provided those chairs would be snatched up!

Step 2. If necessary, sand to obtain a smooth surface.

You can use whatever grade sandpaper you have on hand but a fine-grit sanding block will also work.

Update: I repainted this chair 4 years later and sanded areas that needed it when I repainted.

Step 3. Clean chair.

using simple green to clean plastic chair

Plastic chairs tend to absorb all sorts of debris and stains from living outdoors in all types of weather.

All I did was scrub the entire surface with a good all purpose cleaner (you can even get one specifically designed for plastic) but more than likely you won’t get the chair perfectly clean. That’s alright! Paint covers a multitude of sins! You can also use a hose or pressure washer to blast off that dirt and old paint.

Step 4. Let the chair dry.

I made sure I saved plenty of time for the plastic to dry out so the paint would adhere well. No sense skipping this step and messing up the final product!

Step 5. What kind of paint do you use on plastic chairs?

The spray paint market is filled with all kinds of spray paint. Too many to choose from! I would choose a product that’s formulated especially for a plastic surface such as this spray paint for plastic.

If you’re not aware, prices of all supplies have gone sky high and often there are shortages. Just check big box stores, home and gardening stores, Amazon and google!

Step 6. Apply the first coat to the bottom of the chair and any areas that will be seen.

Nothing fancy about spray painting. No primer is needed but you can add a coat of outdoor spray paint and then top with the plastic type.

Make sure and layer on a decent first thin coat of paint and let allow drying times of about 45 minutes. Since I’m a messy painter I used plastic underneath to protect the outdoor areas. You might want to put on old shoes, too. ~eye roll~

Step 7. Turn your piece over and paint the remaining areas.

You don’t have to waste paint on the underside of the seat but check for nooks and crannies that will be visible. Let dry for another few minutes.

Step 8. Repeat for a second this coat of paint on all areas.

I found two coats to be sufficient, which ended up using about 1 1/2 cans of paint per chair. I’m probably a little more liberal but for just a few bucks you’ve got brand new chairs!

Step 9. Add a protective topcoat.

I actually chose a matte color and wanted a top coat that was also a gloss. But I recommend that you seal your chairs with a protective top coat, especially if they will be seeing any kind of weather.

cozy spray painted chair outside with snacks

FAQs about painting plastic

Choose a product that’s formulated especially for a plastic surface especially if you’re using your plastic furniture outside.

If you apply the right type of paint the spray paint will stay put for a length of time. Adding a coat of sealant or polyurethane will help with durability.

My chairs lasted 2-3 years out in the elements in our backyard. I live in NC where the temperature is probably considered moderate. We get down in the teens in winter and 90’s in the summer.

If you’re not going to use them during the winter and you have room for them in storage I’d take them indoors. They’ll last longer!

When I wanted to update them I simply sprayed them again with a gloss and love how it looks! It doesn’t have to be perfect especially if there is no protection from the weather.

I think learning how to spray paint plastic chairs qualifies as one of the easiest DIY projects anyone can do!

What do you think? Do you have some old chairs or furniture you want to paint now?

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