You probably already have an idea of what wicker furniture is, but in case you didn’t know, wicker is a timeless and popular style for outdoor furniture, and it’s freshly fashionable again. When different vines, grasses, and plants are woven together to make furniture or baskets, the result is referred to as “wicker” in general. One of the oldest methods ever used to create furniture is wicker.
Wicker is perfect for warm regions, and it can last for years. It has a natural, organic quality that blends well with other organic and environmentally friendly furnishings. Our favorite quality, however, is the fact that wicker furniture is usually very easy to paint or stain. This way, you frequently change the appearance of wicker furniture, anytime you feel like it.
If you think of “wicker”, you also might think of “rattan”: What’s the difference between the two?
Rattan is a material, but wicker is a weaving style. To understand it better, you can say that rattan is material, while wicker is the technique. This is the key distinction. Because of the way it is constructed, a wicker sofa, for instance, can be created from any acceptable material, including bamboo, cane, natural rattan, or synthetic rattan. Natural wicker materials are excellent options for home furnishings because they are eco-friendly.
Brush or spray: Which one is best for painting wicker furniture?
Well, the answer to that is still up in the air. Some people prefer a paint sprayer, others would prefer a brush.
Professionals, when looking for the less expensive method, typically begin with a brush and, if necessary, a paint sprayer at the end to provide an even finish.
However, if you use spray paint during the entire procedure, there may be over spray, and a lot of paint is required to get good coverage. Additionally, it really cannot withstand the weather outside.
For all the reasons mentioned above, we will focus our efforts on the brush choice today. Let’s go!
Step by step: How to paint wicker furniture with a brush
1. Get the old paint off
Remove as much peeling and damaged paint as you can. Scrape off as much as you can using a soft brass or wire brush. Be careful not to harm the wicker strands or weave as you scrape.
In some cases, the flaking paint can also be removed at a high-pressure car wash where you spray the item yourself, always if you are certain you are dealing with a rattan reed wicker component and not the paper variety.
Remember that water may weaken the glue joints and that it is very simple to destroy the rattan reed with really high pressure.
2. Preparation: Clean and wipe
In the location where you’re going to work, spread out a drop cloth. In order to avoid breathing in fine dust or mold spores, put on a dust mask first.
It’s crucial to clean the wicker components before painting them. Therefore, the first step is to identify the type of wicker you are working with because some cleaning techniques vary depending on the type. Each type calls for a particular method of cleaning and preparing the paint.
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However, the most typical ones are made of rattan reed and paper fiber rush.
In case you need an idea to know what cleaning looks like: To carefully remove dust, grime, cobwebs, and other debris, use a stiff-bristled brush. Use a sponge and soapy water to clean wicker furniture. After that, using a deglosser as directed by the manufacturer, remove any remaining paint or stain from the wicker. To ensure that the paint will cling adequately to the surfaces, this preparation step is crucial.
Next, wipe your chair or item well with a clean cloth. Before continuing to the following step, give your furniture plenty of time to dry completely. If necessary, allow your wicker furniture to dry overnight.
3. Preparation: Fixing and taping
Before continuing to the following stage, fix any problems with your wicker furniture.
Mark off any places that you don’t want to be painted with tape. Tape the borders of the furniture item first, pressing down on the outside edge of the tape to create accurate taped regions. Add another layer of tape after adhering the plastic drop cloth to the first layer.
Chairs and other little pieces of furniture are perfect for using cut-down garbage bags!
4. Continue with the paint primer
Use an all-in-one outdoor spray paint that doesn’t require priming, or apply a spray primer and let it dry before painting.
To prevent the final paint coat from absorbing excessively and increasing your costs, make sure to provide the bare spots with at least two coats of oil-based wood primer. When transforming a piece’s color from dark to light, using a primer is extremely crucial.
Apply two light coats of oil-based paint using a compressor sprayer, spray can, or brush once the priming has dried.
5. Ready to paint?
Before making a purchase, speak with a paint specialist at a respected paint store. Wicker furniture can be painted using chalk paint, mineral paint, milk paint, urethane, or even oil-based paint. Use premium outdoor paint for painting braided outdoor furniture. It has UV blocking built in, is fade resistant, and will last longer.
Is there a type of paint we don’t recommend? Actually, there is one. We usually do not recommend latex paint. It is less durable since the latex base does not dry as hard as other paints.
6. Begin painting
Start painting your furniture’s bottom or underneath first, so you can observe how the paint sprayer is coating it before going on to the more noticeable portions.
Paint in a calm, even motion back and forth.
To obtain an even coat of paint into the crevices and nooks of your woven furniture, apply paint from various angles.
7. Rest a little, until the furniture dries
When it comes to how well the paint holds up, waiting is crucial. Allow the paint to completely dry, before moving on to the next step.
8. Apply a second layer
Repeat the process after the first coat of paint has dried. Paint from several angles to ensure complete coverage.
Apply a third layer of paint if the color is uneven or not bright enough. Wait for one to two days (precise guidelines are on the paint can) after you’ve obtained the desired color for the paint to completely cure before using the furniture.
Optional: Some finishing touches
This step is not required. However, you should know that the wicker chair gains dimension by having a dry brush of paint in a contrasting hue applied.
You can experiment with different details, colors, and types of paint. This last step, it’s all up to you!
