Paint a stick chair – how to, step by step

Before you start painting your chair – start by covering your work surface with for example rosin paper, to protect against any paint splashes. Then clean the entire stick chair using a detergent and a microfiber cloth, this will help to remove all dirt and grease from the chair before painting.

Think about!

Clean extra carefully at the top of the back of the chair. This is the part that gets the most wear and tear, which can mean more dirt and grease than other surfaces.

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After you’ve cleaned the chair properly, it’s time to sand. This is done to get rid of imperfections and to make the paint adhere better when you paint your chair. However, be careful not to sand too deeply, as you could damage the surface of the chair.

Tip!

Use a soft and flexible sanding paper to easily get around the sticks on the back of the chair.

When you have finished sanding, you need to wipe off the sanding dust. This is best done using a microfiber cloth. The cloth ensures that you get all the dust out and that you have a clean and nice surface for the base coat.

Now it’s time to start priming your chair with a base coat, this will allow your paint and any putty to adhere properly.

Start by painting the chair legs so you can easily turn the chair around when you’re done, then paint the back of the chair and finally the seat itself. Use a smaller paintbrush on the smaller surfaces and a larger one on the chair seat, for example. You can also use a mini roller if you want to speed up the process.

Tip!

Make sure you always finish one detail at a time and don't paint all over the place. For example, start by finishing painting one stick on the back of a chair, before moving on to the next.

If your peg chair has hollows or cracks, be sure to fill them with a small filling knife before you start painting. After spackling, you need to sand again and wipe off any sanding dust with a microfiber cloth. If you have used a lot of putty, prime with another layer of base coat.

After you’ve finished the prep work, it’s time to start painting your stick chair for real! Use your chosen color and just like when you primed, start by turning the chair upside down and painting the legs and underside. Use a Platinum Precision brush for the legs and any hard-to-reach details, and a flat brush for the large surfaces. When you’re done, turn the chair back up.

Then paint the back of the chair

Once you have painted the bottom of the chair, move on to the back of the chair. Use the Platinum Precision brush for the chair back sticks, and to reach between each stick on the upper part of the chair back. Then use the flat brush to paint the top flat part of the chair back.

Finish by painting the chair seat

Once you have painted the other parts of the chair, finish with the seat itself. Start by painting the edges around the chair seat. Then paint the gaps between the sticks using an angle cut flat brush for easier access. Then finish by painting the remaining surface of the seat. Then let the chair dry.

Tip!

Start by applying a bit more of paint and then spread it evenly over the surface. Then finish with as long a brushstroke as possible to get a smooth finish without smudges.

If the paint starts to run down when you paint your chair

If the paint starts to run down, make sure you smooth it out with a long brushstroke as soon as possible, before the paint has had time to dry. If the paint has dried, you need to sand down the paint that has run down and then paint another layer.

Paint another layer

When the chair has dried, paint another layer in the same way as before. Then let the paint dry, and you’re ready to try out your new chair!

Tip!

Our Platinum Precision brush comes with a storage box that ensures the paint in the brush stays wet for up to 72 hours. Perfect while you wait for the second stroke!

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