How To's & Quick Tips > How To: Paint Wicker Furniture Nothing looks more outdated than dingy wicker furniture. Fortunately, you can revive a tired piece with only a fresh coat of paint. Here's how to get it done. Wicker evokes summertime porch-sitting perhaps more than any other outdoor furniture. But besides all the fair-weather memories and leisure-bent associations that wicker carries, the material also boasts a host of practical benefits. Lightweight yet sturdy, a good piece of wicker furniture can last for decades—with the right care, that is. Every few years, as a way of protecting the wicker from the elements, remember to apply a fresh coat of paint (or sealer). Whether you’re doing a minor touch-up job or a whole-hog makeover of your chair, chaise, or settee, follow these steps to prep and paint wicker furniture in short order, and with ease. - Bucket, water, mild detergent, and a sponge - Bleach (optional, if there is mildew present) - Spray bottle full of water
Start by setting up your work area. If possible, try to paint wicker furniture outside, where there’s more than adequate ventilation. Choose a clear day and for best results, stay out of the wind, lest dirt and leaves blow onto the fresh paint. Also, note that no matter how careful you are, spray paint inevitably over-sprays. To protect your belongings, move them all well out of the way. Place the wicker piece on a drop cloth, not only to catch the paint, but also to prevent debris from interfering with your finish. With the dust attachment on your vacuum, clear away any loose dust, dirt, and cobwebs from the furniture. As you go, look for signs of mildew; if you find any, you can address it in step 4. Knock off any chipped, loose, or flaking paint with a stiff-bristled brush. Don’t be so aggressive as to cause damage. With a sponge and soapy water, wash down the wicker. If you spotted mildew, now’s the time to kill it. Add once cup of household bleach to your wash water, then apply the mixture to the affected areas with a sponge or cloth.
After, rinse the piece by spraying it down with plain water. Allow the wicker to air-dry. Next: It’s time to prime. For your finish to look its best and last a long time, it’s wise to put on a couple coats of spray primer. Wearing a dust mask, apply the primer to the wicker by holding the spray can about a foot away from the material. Start spraying a few inches to the side of the piece and then, keeping your arm straight, sweep across the furniture. Release the nozzle when you have brought the spray can to a point a few inches beyond the wicker piece. In this way, continue priming the entire thing. Wait for the first coat to dry completely before proceeding to do the second. Yes, two thin coats are better than one thick coat. Fortunately, primer dries very quickly, so doing it the right way doesn’t take forever. Finally, pull out the paint! After the second coat of primer has dried, apply your finish paint in two thin coats, using the technique described above. You may find it easier to paint the underside and back of the furniture first, doing the more immediately visible portions second.
Allow the paint to dry completely before applying the second coat (the last). Though the paint may dry within only a few hours, give the wicker a couple of days to cure before you begin to usethe furniture again. You’ll be amazed by the difference that fresh paint makes to your wicker furniture—it will feel brand-new. Repeat this wicker refresh every few years, and your furniture will serve you beautifully for many seasons to come.Serious Education ... plus the most fun you can have in metal finishing. Q. I am a homeowner getting my patio ready for spring. I have some real wicker furniture and want to buy some new wicker pieces to match. Just about all the wicker I can find at any reasonable price is made of polyethylene resin, but none of it matches the color of my real wicker pieces, which are painted white. So, if I buy, say, a tan polyethylene resin "wicker" chair, what kind of paint do I use to paint it white. Everything I've been able to find on the internet says that paint will not bond to this stuff.
I find that hard to believe. is specially made for painting plastic. I think there is a reasonable chance it will work "good enough" for this application, but you are reading correctly that polyethylene is extremely difficult to paint, and it will certainly prove impossible to use sandpaper on wicker-like weavings. A. What you've been reading is correct. The only satisfactory solutions are to either find polyethylene which matches, or to repaint your wicker to match the poly. Any paint which you put over the poly will soon begin to flake off and you'll have a mess.I didn't think of painting the real wicker to match the poly 'wicker' and you are probably right that that is a better idea. Q. I have 3 resin decorative molds under my granite bar that need to be painted. Any suggestions on how and what kind of paint to use on them? Q. I have a set of wicker furniture that needs repainting. I would like to find a polyresin spray to paint it with. Is there such a product?
If so, where could I find it?I am assuming that this is real wicker rather than plastic, and that you want to put something on it that is "better" than regular spray paint -- perhaps to try to make it more water resistant? Yes resin sprays do exist =>. . . but I can't personally attest to them making for a waterproof finish. Q. I have painted the white vinyl and it remains sticky what can I do?Leave it in the sun and hope for the best. Do you know what you painted it with? Q. I have a resin wicker coffee table that I would like to paint a darker color to match my existing patio furniture. The top is glass and the base is resin wicker in a lighter color...how hard is this to do and will I have a problem with it peeling? A. Something to remember when painting resin or plastic wicker. Give them a GOOD scrubbing with 2 parts ammonia /1 part water. Use a brush, rinse and allow to dry completely before painting. You'll stand a better chance of the paint adhering properly. Q. I too, have polyresin wicker furniture.