Are you tired of the same dull, old wicker chair? Why not shake things up? This article will teach you how to paint a wicker chair, what paints to use, and how to care for a wicker chair. Before that, let’s figure out what a wicker chair is.
What Is A Wicker Chair?
Despite popular belief, wicker is not a material but a technique used for making furniture. In this sense, wicker furniture can be made using various materials, whether artificial or natural. The material has to be durable and pliable.
A popular material that most wicker furniture uses is rattan. That is why there is a misbelief that wicker furniture is the same as rattan furniture.
Making wicker furniture involves a skill set that is honed by years of craftsmanship. The primary skill that you need to have is weaving. Aside from this, a good eye for design will also be helpful.
How Do You Paint A Wicker Chair?
Wicker chairs are very durable because of the materials that they use. However, despite this quality, a person might not be satisfied with the looks of a wicker chair. A wicker chair owner might look for ways to update the aesthetics of their furniture.
A way to do this is to paint a wicker chair a different color. You can go for a bold, fun palette or a more toned-down and relaxed color. This section will talk about the steps in painting a wicker chair.
Step #1. Clean the chair
The first step to successfully painting a wicker chair is to clean it. This is a common practice in painting anything. An object must be cleaned so that debris and dirt won’t get trapped under the paint layers.
Make sure to clean even the gaps in the chair. You can use a brush to do this. If you want a more meticulous cleaning, you can also use a blower or air compressor if it’s available to you.
If the chair has been painted on before, you can use a wire brush to scrape off the old paint. If there is mildew, you can use a mixture of liquid detergent, water, and bleach to treat the areas.
Lastly, you can wash the chair with water and detergent. Use a sponge to apply the solution. Ensure that the sponge is more damp than wet because too much moisture can damage the furniture.
Step #2. Dry the chair
Making sure that the chair is dry is just as important as cleaning it. A wet or damp chair can be damaged by moisture. You can dry a chair by leaving it out in the sun.
Step #3. Paint
Once your chair has been cleaned and dried, the next step is to paint it! Make sure to choose good quality paint so that it will last a long time.
You can apply the paint in a variety of ways. You can choose to use spray paint or to brush it on. Most people recommend using spray paint, though, because it is quicker and it looks cleaner.
Whichever way you choose to paint your chair, practice the proper safety precautions to avoid any accidents.
For example, you should do it in a well-ventilated space. It is recommended to paint outdoors.
Exposure to paint fumes can cause skin, eyes, nose, and throat irritation, so make sure to be careful. You can also use a mask whenever you’re painting so that you won’t breathe in the fumes directly.
What is the best kind of paint for wicker chairs?
Most people recommend using enamel-based paint to ensure the best paint coats. Make sure to check the label of the paint you’re using to see if it’s enamel-based.
Enamel paint is also recommended for things that you’ll be using outdoors. This is because enamel paint dries to a hard, glossy finish, making it well-suited for either outdoor use or frequent use. In other words, enamel paint will take a while to see the wear and tear.
How do you maintain a wicker chair?
The best way to maintain wicker furniture is by routinely cleaning them. You can either use a brush to get the dust off or use a vacuum cleaner or an air compressor.
Washing your wicker chair with a soft brush and soapy water will also make your wicker chair last longer. Just make sure to rinse well and to let it dry in the sun.
Since most wicker furniture is made from natural materials like rattan, bamboo, or even dried grasses, they are often prone to mildew. To avoid this, you can place your furniture in a dry place where it won’t come into contact with too much moisture.
Inspecting your wicker chair will also do you a lot of good. Broken pieces or snags can be repaired using carpenter’s glue or hot glue.
Conclusion
This article discussed how to paint a wicker chair and the other tips you should consider if you own a wicker chair. Now that you know this, you can successfully revamp your furniture to spruce up your home!