Due to their shape and traditional style, it’s understandable to think rocking chairs require a certain kind of paint. But that isn’t the case. Any kind of normal wood furniture paint will be suitable for a rocking chair.
The main consideration should be the age and state of the rocking chair. This will determine how much sanding and priming will be required. But this shouldn’t alter the type of paint you will need to use.
What kind of paint do you use on wooden chairs?
This depends on the style you will be going for, more specifically whether you want a matte or glossy finish. For a standard glossy finish, latex paint is the best option. It’s one of the most common types of furniture paint so is affordable and easy to find.
This also means that it is available in pretty much every kind of color you can think of.
How do you paint a rocking chair without sanding?
The most important thing to do is to clean and wipe down the chair. This will ensure that the dust and other particles will be lifted off the chair.
This will ensure the smoothest possible finish. A microfiber cloth will pick up the most particles. Most other cloths will simply move them around, especially small dust particles.
That said, if you can, it’s always a good idea to sand down furniture before painting or varnishing it. With something like a rocking chair, this can be difficult and time-consuming.
Mostly due to the fact that there are a lot of awkward angles and corners. But you don’t need to use an industrial electric sander. Lightly sanding the chair with sandpaper will be enough.
Sanding will strip off any leftover paint, varnish, and even a small top layer of the wood itself. This will still need to be wiped with a microfiber cloth and then primed.
Sanding can seem like a messy hassle, but it is nowhere near as difficult as it seems. And it is definitely worth it to get the smoothest finish possible.
Can you spray paint wood chairs?
Yes, you can. But you will need to be careful when it comes to coverage. Spray paint is a good option for items with small surface areas. However, they aren’t the best when it comes to furniture.
This is because the nozzle of the can will spray the paint in a very small area. This can make it difficult to get the paint into all of the nooks and crannies of something as complex as a rocking chair.
Spray paint is also much thinner than most other paints. This means that it drips down when it is wet. This can be very messy when painting furniture. It also means that the finish can be altered by small drips that you might not notice before they dry.
The thinness of the paint means that, even if you do notice the drops, they will be difficult to spread out smoothly with a brush, as the bristles will move the paint around more.
The thinness of the paint combined with the small nozzle also means that getting an even coverage will be much more difficult. Despite their concentrated aim, it can be difficult to control the direction of the paint itself.
So, while it might seem like a cheap and easy option, spray-painting furniture can often be more trouble than it’s worth. Especially if you want to apply paint to the entirety of the rocking chair.
Is acrylic paint good for wood?
Yes, acrylic paint is fine to be used on wood, but it’s important to prime it first. Due to the glossy and thick consistency of acrylic paint, it will sit very well on wood and provide a smooth finish. Even when used without a primer.
But, over time, the paint will begin to chip and sink into the wood. The best way to prevent this is to sand the wood down and apply a primer first. Even if you are using a very thick acrylic paint, sanding and priming are always essential steps.
What is the best way to paint a rocking chair?
Rocking chairs can be difficult to paint due to their complex shape. But they can be painted in the same way as other pieces of wooden furniture.
This means that it’s best to use a wood furniture paint and a paintbrush with natural bristles. This will provide the best finish and will prevent brush streaks in the paint.
It has been mentioned several times already, but it’s worth repeating. It’s always a good idea to sand down and prime the rocking chair before applying the paint.
This is especially important if you’re painting an old rocking chair which has already been varnished or painted. Removing the old paint and varnish will make the fresh coat of paint last longer. It will also provide a much smoother finish.
Can I paint over old paint on wood?
Technically, yes, but it isn’t recommended. Even if the old paint still looks smooth and hasn’t started to peel yet.
Eventually, the old paint underneath will become even more dried out and begin to chip and peel. Having too much paint on the wood can also make it more susceptible to chipping.
If the old paint has been applied unevenly or in a generally poor way, then this can impact the overall finish of the fresh paint. For example, if the paint underneath is heavier in one particular area, this can come through under the new paint.
Another reason to sand off the old paint is because the color of it might come through. This is especially true if the color is darker or brighter than the fresh paint.
Even if the old paint is completely dry, it can still mix with the new paint which can alter the color. For example, if you are painting an old yellow rocking chair blue, there is a chance that it will turn green.
