How to Makeover a Rattan Chair

I fell in love with the lines of this vintage rattan mid century bucket chair, but the finish was worn and in need of an update. For this DIY rattan chair makeover, I grabbed a can of Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch® 2X Ultra Cover® spray paint in flat black for a full transformation. I finished off the look with a leaf-pattern pillow to evoke a modern tropical vibe with a jute rug and greenery to tie it all together.

Steps for updating a rattan chair

Step 1: Clean the Grooves

Gently clean in the grooves using the brush attachment on a vacuum.

Step 2: Wipe the Rattan Clean

Wipe the rattan with a damp cloth to remove and dirt and residue. If the chair is very dirty, use warm water and a mild detergent.

Step 3: Apply the First Coat

Put on gloves and a mask and place a drop cloth under the chair. Place the chair up on scrap blocks or a box to expose the bottom edges. Consider working in a spray tent or outdoors where overspray isn’t a concern. To avoid drips, hold the can 10-12 inches from the surface. Apply a light first coat moving in a sweeping horizontal motion back and forth. Start and stop each pass beyond the edges of the chair.

Step 4: Coat the Details

If the rattan has details, follow the lines with a singular motion for even coverage. Fill in the surrounding areas as needed.

Step 5: Apply the Second Coat

Apply a second coat within 1 hour or after 48 hours of applying the first coat. Spray in varying directions to coat the opposing sides of the rounded rattan that may have been missed the first pass. Allow paint to fully dry for 24 hours.

Materials:

Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch® 2X Ultra Cover® spray paint in flat black
Mask
Gloves
Cloth or rags
Drop cloth