The Trick with Wicker: How to Paint Wicker Furniture

Outdoor wicker furniture is a great addition to any garden or outdoor patio. It looks great and is very resilient. In fact, with the proper care, wicker furniture can last for many years. Of course, as time passes, your wicker furniture will start to look a little tired. A great way to revive old furniture is to paint it. Below is a guide to painting your wicker furniture 

Prepare Your Furniture

In order to ensure the paint has a smooth, clean and professional-looking finish, you need to carry out some pre-painting preparation. You should use a soft bristled brush to scrape away any flakes of old paint from the surface of the furniture. For any flakes which are in harder to reach spots, you should use a flat headed screwdriver. Although it can take some time to remove the old paint, it is the only way to ensure a great finish. You could also use a power washer to remove old paint. However, you shouldn't use a power washer on furniture which is made of natural rattan, as it can be easily damaged by the force of the water.

Priming the Furniture

Priming the wicker furniture for painting is a two part process. First, you need to wash down the furniture using warm soapy water. This will help to remove any dust, grime and debris. After washing, you should wipe the furniture down using a clean cloth. The second step involves applying primer to the surface of the furniture. You should match the primer to the type of paint you are using and allow it to dry fully before moving on to the final step.

Painting Your Furniture

The paint you use on the furniture should be oil based. An oil base makes paint much more flexible, allowing it to move as the wicker pieces within the furniture move. You should use a medium or small brush to apply the paint, so you can reach into every nook, cranny and corner of the furniture. To protect yourself, you should wear a protective face mask and gloves while painting. You should also make sure you are in a well ventilated area. Once you have applied the paint, you should wait for it to fully dry before moving the furniture back into place.

Your wicker furniture should now look as good as new and be ready for many more years of use. If you have any concerns about the condition of your wicker furniture, you should contact a furniture specialist.