How To Paint Rattan Garden Furniture

Rattan is a type of garden furniture that is incredibly in popularity year on year. Its ability to withstand our ever-changing UK weather is a strong selling point.

Over time, however, your rattan furniture will start to degrade in quality. There are measures you can take to help prolong the life of your rattan garden furniture set. While this will keep your furniture looking pristine longer, eventually it will begin to look a little worn.

By this stage, it’s time to start thinking about whether you want to purchase new rattan garden furniture or attempt to restore your rattan set to its former glory with a fresh lick of paint.

Although it takes more than just a quick once-over with a paintbrush, if you follow the steps below, you can paint your outdoor rattan furniture any colour to match your design style.

Materials Needed

• Paint of choice
• Cleaning supplies
• Sponge
• Newspaper
• Toothbrush or bristle brush
• Glue
• Nail gun

What Paint Can You Use to Paint Rattan Furniture?

When it comes to the type of paint you want to use, there are many options you have to choose from. Each type of paint has its own advantages and disadvantages. Your main cause for concern is whether your paint will hold up to different types of weather.

From the beating sun on a scorching hot summer’s afternoon to the blistering wind and rain of the UK’s winter months. Your rattan furniture must be able to withstand everything so it can still be useable for years to come.

That’s not to say your chosen paint will allow you to freely leave your garden furniture exposed to the elements throughout the entire year. Regular maintenance and cleaning will help keep your garden furniture in tip-top shape.

But let’s dive into the different types of paint you can use:

Chalk paint

Chalk-based paint is excellent for outdoor furniture because it is easy to apply, looks amazing because of the matte finish and boasts incredible versatility.

Chalk paint is one of the easiest types of paint you can use on garden furniture due to its low volatile organic compound (VOCs) content. This is better for the environment as well compared to other paints that have high VOCs.

It’s a great choice for outdoor furniture as it is water-resistant, and some brands even contain additives that help battle the growth of mould - ideal for our damp UK climate.

Chalk paint will be relatively easy to apply and you shouldn’t need to use a primer beforehand. Just make sure your surface is smooth and dry before applying the paint.

Oil-based paint

Oil-based paint is one of the most durable and long-lasting types of paint on the market. A fantastic choice for outdoor garden furniture and can create a great finish on such materials as rattan. Oil-based paint will fare well when subjected to rainstorms and direct sunlight.

Of course, it’s not recommended to leave your rattan furniture in direct sunlight or rain downpours over extended periods.

Spray paint

Purchasing spray paint cans is the easiest way to paint rattan. You can get various colours, and you do not need a paintbrush to apply spray paint.

You can either use a can of spray paint or a paint sprayer. Sprayers are the preferred choice for rattan furniture because of how easy they are to apply. Just be sure to purchase a can of spray paint that is specifically designed for outdoor use as this will help keep your paint finish in great condition for longer.

All-purpose paint

All-purpose paint is affordable and can be used to paint garden furniture. It is long-lasting and will offer natural protection against inclement weather. You can get a lot of colour options with all-purpose paint, and the paint will create an opaque finish when applied to rattan garden furniture.

Step-by-step Guide: How to Paint Rattan Garden Furniture

1) Clean your rattan furniture pieces

Before painting your outdoor furniture, you have to make sure it is clean and dry. Painting over dirt or dust will prevent the paint from sticking over time.

First, clean the furniture with a damp cloth or a duster to get rid of most of the surface dust.

Next, mix vinegar with water to make a cleaning mixture. Use a sponge or soft brush to apply the mixture to the furniture. Make sure the sponge or brush is damp, not dripping wet. The mixture will get rid of all the grime and grease.

If you notice dirt or grime trapped in small corners and nooks, use a toothbrush or other bristle brush to scrape the areas clean.

Wait for the furniture to dry completely before proceeding.

2) Repair the furniture if needed

Once the furniture is clean and dry, it is time to check if it requires any repair work.

If you bought second-hand rattan furniture, there will likely be loose rattan or some holes. If you notice any damage, you need to do the repairs before you start painting the furniture.

Contact a professional maintenance specialist if the damage is too extensive for you to fix yourself. For minor fixes, consult our ‘how to repair rattan furniture’ guide for everything you need to know to help get your furniture in tip-top shape.

3) Apply primer

Next, it is time to apply the undercoat or acrylic primer (should your chosen paint require it). You can use standard acrylic primer, which will help the paint to stick to the rattan and provide a smooth finish.

Apply an even layer of primer to the clean, dry, and repaired furniture. You can either use a brush or a sprayer to apply the undercoat or primer.

Allow the primer to dry overnight.

4) Apply the paint

Once you are certain that the primer or undercoat is completely dry, it is time to start painting!

Find a ventilated, open space to paint the rattan furniture piece. Use old newspapers or old sheets to cover the ground where you plan on painting, and place the furniture on top of it.

Start by applying a thin layer of paint as a base coat.

If you are using spray paint, keep the can at least 7 to 13 cm away from the furniture. Apply a smooth coat of paint by using slow, sweeping motions.

For oil, chalk or all-purpose paints, use a brush and remove any excess paint by wiping the brush on the side of the paint can. Apply the paint in one direction to get a smooth finish.

5) Repeat the process

Once the first coat has completely dried, you can paint another layer. Two coats should be enough, but you can add more if needed. Painting darker furniture with lighter-coloured paints might take three or more coats.

Allow the paint to dry.

6) Touch-up as required

Once the final paint layer has dried, you can inspect the furniture and see if you need to do any touch-ups. The paint can take up to two weeks to dry and cure properly - it is best to follow the instructions on the paint can.

Once all the paint is dry, you can decorate the furniture with some additional paint touches, like shadowing or patterns.

Congratulations - you have successfully painted your piece of garden furniture!

Final Thoughts

It is easy to paint rattan as long as you have the suitable paints, materials and clean furniture to start with.

Rattan furniture can spruce up any garden and provide a unique look that cannot be achieved with plastic furniture. By painting dull or weathered rattan furniture, you can give it a new lease of life and have it match your design ethos.

This type of furniture can last for many years, and by giving it a layer of protective paint, you will extend its life even further. The best part? You don't have to spend a lot of money to instantly upgrade your back garden!