How to Paint Plastic Patio Chairs

Figuring out how to properly paint plastic patio chairs is a great way to bring new life to your old, faded furniture. 

I previously mentioned the faded, dirty patio chairs we found at the top of the hill in our new backyard. As you may recall, I cleaned them so we could actually sit in them without getting filthy.

They were fine, but I thought they would look better if they matched the rest of our furniture and…weren’t so faded. So I spray painted them!

The thing about outdoor furniture is that they take a pretty heavy beating. From being sat on, to sitting out in the hot sun all day, to weathering all sorts of thunderstorms, outdoor furniture has to handle a lot. So if I was going to redo these chairs, I needed to to them RIGHT.

How to Clean Plastic Patio Chairs

You’ll need:

• 2 cans of outdoor primer (I used Valspar outdoor primer for plastic)
• 2 cans (per chair) of spray paint (I used Valspar in a dark blue)
• UV-Resistant Clear Acrylic Coating (2 cans)

Step 01: If your chairs need cleaned, do that now. Once that’s done, follow the directions on the can of primer. I used both cans, even though I probably could have gotten away with just one. I wanted to make absolutely sure this paint stuck. Once the coat is dry, flip the chairs over and do the undersides.

Step 02: The primer will probably need at least an hour to dry before you can paint. Don’t assume it’s ready just because it feels dry to the touch! Once the primer is dry, coat it with paint. Let the paint dry, flip the chairs over, and coat the undersides. Once that’s dry, you can start covering up any spots that didn’t get enough paint.

Step 03: Let the chairs dry for 24 hours before adding the UV-Resistant coating. Follow the instructions and do the same thing you did with the primer and paint. This will protect the chairs from scratches AND protect the paint from fading in the sun.

Once that coating is dry, you’re done!

It’s AMAZING what a huge difference this made. I’m wanting to pair the blue with some yellow cushions. For now, they’re pretty nice on their own.

The only drawback is that, because they’re darker, I can see all the yellow pollen. But that makes it easier to know when I need to brush them off, because pollen and I don’t get along. 😛

Also, do you see the patio!? It was SO DIRTY last time, right? I actually took some patio cleaner to it and then Zach and I took turns scrubbing all the black stuff off. I also took the hose and sprayed REALLY CLOSE to the grout, which loosened a lot of the dirt. No “pressure washing” necessary. 🙂 Of course, it needs swept again.

What do you think? Would you paint your plastic patio chairs or just get new chairs?

How to Reupholster a Dining Chair