How To Paint Rattan Garden Furniture | Furniture Maxi

Rattan furniture is one of the most elegant types of outdoor furniture used worldwide to spruce up gardens. The best part about rattan is its durability. With a little bit of care, rattan furniture is likely to last you for many years to come.

The colour of the rattan furniture can fade after prolonged use sometimes. When this happens, individuals are quick to throw their furniture out and splurge on brand new furniture as a replacement. However, all this does is waste your hard-earned money.

Luckily, there is an easy and effective way to restore your rattan furniture to its former glory quickly, and that is a simple diy - adding a fresh coat of paint. The process is fairly straightforward and can be easily done at home.

So if you’re looking to refresh your old rattan furniture, read our helpful guide on how to paint rattan garden furniture for more information!


What Products Can Be Used To Paint Rattan Furniture?

If you’re confused about what products to use to paint your rattan garden furniture, you’re in the right place. Here are some products that work best for painting rattan furniture:


Chalk Paint

Chalk paint is an excellent choice for furniture paint because of its easy application and great aesthetics. The paint gives an even matte finish that is not easily found with other types of paints.

Chalk paint helps to protect the furniture from damage caused by ultraviolet light and other external elements. The best part about chalk paint is that it requires minimal prep time and can be applied to nearly all clean and dry surfaces.


Oil Based Paint

Oil-based paint is one of the most durable and long-lasting types of paint to exist. This is why it is perfect for use on garden furniture, such as a wicker chair, that may be subject to occasional rain or bad weather.

However, it is not recommended to leave rattan furniture in damp environments as it may cause damage to the furniture. Oil-based paint comes in various colours and can be applied with a paint brush.


Spray Paint

This is the most common and most convenient method of painting rattan garden furniture. There are numerous different cans of spray paint colours and finishes you can use for your furniture. You can use a spray can or a sprayer machine for this purpose. However, a sprayer can give more consistent results.


All-Purpose Paint

All-purpose paint is readily available, reasonably priced, and used for a multitude of reasons, one of them being to paint furniture. You can use this to paint wicker or rattan furniture as it provides excellent protection against natural elements and is long-lasting. All-purpose paint comes in a large variety of colours and produces vibrant and opaque results.


Guide To Preparing And Painting Rattan Furniture

Here's a step by step guide on how to paint wicker furniture or rattan furniture to give it that makeover you need.

1. Repair The Furniture If Need Be

If you have any repair work that needs to be carried out, make sure it is done before painting. Any loose weaving can be replaced at home with a glue gun or small nail gun. However, you may need to hire a professional for more extensive repair work.

2. Wipe, Clean and Dry Your Furniture Thoroughly

The first thing you should do if you plan to paint your rattan furniture is to give it a good scrub so that it is free from dust and dirt when you paint it. Begin by using a vacuum cleaner to blow away dust and debris from your rattan furniture.

Follow this up by using a damp cloth to wipe away any loose dirt particles. Since the wicker furniture has numerous nooks and crannies where dirt can nestle in, you have to be extra vigilant in this step to not miss out on any of it. Next, use soap and warm water to scrub the furniture.

Make sure to get all the small corners that have dust trapped in them with a toothbrush dipped in soap and water. You can either use a homemade solution of one part vinegar and three parts water or a commercial deglaze to deglaze the wood. Deglazing helps the paint to adhere to the surface of the furniture better.

3. Apply Primer

Before moving on to the next step, ensure that the furniture has been dried thoroughly. This will result in a better surface for the paint to stick to and give a smoother finish as well. Once the furniture has dried off completely, apply an even layer of primer or undercoat.

The primer provides a smooth surface for when the paint is applied and will result in you using less product as well. You can apply the undercoat with a brush or use a convenient spray-on primer as well. Allow the primer to dry.

4. Apply Paint

Choose a well-ventilated and open area to paint your furniture so that you don’t inhale the paint fumes. Lay down large sheets of paper such as newspaper, cardboard, or pieces of cloth on the ground and place your furniture on top of it.

Apply a thin and even layer of paint as the first coat. If you are using a spray can or paint sprayer, ensure there is a distance of at least 3 to 5 inches between the spray can or sprayer and the furniture. Use smooth movements to apply a thin and even layer of paint.

If you are using oil paints, you can use a brush, wipe off the excess with the side of the container and use single strokes in one direction for an even and smooth layer of paint.

5. Let The Furniture Dry And Finish With Touch Ups

Once the first layer of paint has dried, you can repeat the process for the second layer as well. Two layers of paint should suffice to give you a bold and opaque colour. Allow the furniture to dry off completely and then inspect for any missing spots. Some people wait for up to 2 weeks to dry and cure the paint thoroughly.

However, it is best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You can even add small details or finishing touches such as shadowing with a dry brush and some paint once the coats of paint have dried completely. One final inspection to ensure everything is in order, and then you’re done!


Conclusion

Rattan furniture gives a modern and unique look to your otherwise dull garden. However, once rattan furniture has worn away, people quickly discard it. But, there is an easy fix to restoring your rattan furniture that not many people make use of it.

All you have to do is give your old rattan furniture a good paint job. The process is relatively easy and can be done at home using a few instruments and the paint of your choice.

Since rattan furniture is durable and long-lasting, there is no need to throw it away only because of the faded colour. With a new layer of paint, your rattan furniture looks brand-new, and you wouldn’t have spent an arm and a leg on new outdoor furniture.