How-to Spray Paint Outdoor Resin Wicker Furniture!
Tired of your dark brown outdoor resin wicker furniture? In one day, you can transform your plastic wicker with spray paint for a whole new look!
All you need is one weekend and some spray paint to completely transform any plastic or resin wicker outdoor furniture.
It’s an easy 3 step process to spray paint outdoor resin wicker furniture or woven plastic rattan in one day! Clean, prime and paint.
Yes, I was tired of the same dark brown resin wicker furniture on the front porch.
I’ve had it for 8 years and wanted a lighter look, but didn’t want to spend the money to replace it.
In just one afternoon, I transformed that dark brown plastic wicker to a gorgeous driftwood tan!
Aren’t you happy you can paint outdoor resin wicker furniture to give it a whole new life? Want to paint metal outdoor furniture, then read this!
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Yes! You Can Paint Outdoor Resin Wicker/Rattan Furniture
You may be wondering if it’s possible to even paint resin/plastic outdoor furniture because you are worried the paint won’t stick.
Luckily, if you paint it the RIGHT way with proper preparation you can totally transform outdoor wicker.
Here is the typical outdoor dark brown plastic wicker patio furniture from my front porch…
Are you ready for a new color and are loving the lighter driftwood finishes?
This is the furniture on my back porch that was taunting me to change the front porch…BUT it’s so expensive to replace perfectly good furniture.
The way I looked at it is if I didn’t like the final finish, then I would plunk down the cash for something new.
I set off to create a whole new look on my front porch and make it look lighter and brighter with a little paint.
When it comes to painting anything, so much of getting the best result has to do with cleaning and priming so the paint adheres and lasts.
Bonding primer is the answer to painting any type of resin, plastic or glossy surface!
Then you need to think about the surface you are painting and the finish you want to achieve.
In looking at the texture of wicker, a spray paint is going to provide the best coverage in the nooks and crannies.
Finally, choosing the right type of spray paint can help with how it will weather.
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Project Supplies: Paint Outdoor Wicker or Plastic Furniture
- Outdoor Cleaner
- Pressure Washer
- Waterproof Drop Cloth
- Comfort Grip Attachment
- Spray Bonding Primer
- Khaki Camouflage Spray Paint
- Another option Krylon Khaki Fusion All-In-One Spray Paint, Satin
- Respirator face mask
My tutorial is selling out the spray paint! If this is out of stock try Khaki Camo Spray Paint. YES! You can use regular spray paint in the color you prefer.
Depending on how many pieces of furniture you have adjust the number of cans of spray paint. Mine too 6 cans of both the bonding primer and the spray paint.
If you only have a couple of wicker chairs, you can cut that number in half.
Best Paint for Outdoor Resin Wicker Furniture
The best kind of paint you use on resin wicker is spray paint!
Wait until you see the after! It’s as easy as 1,2,3…and you won’t believe what type of spray paint I used to paint my resin wicker furniture.
Why Spray Paint for outdoor Resin Wicker Furniture is Best
Think about how intricate the weaving is on wicker. If you tried to hand apply regular paint to any type of wicker furniture, it would be impossible to to get into all the nooks.
Spray painting is the best option to get good coverage coverage and consistency in all of the woven detail.
Which spray paint is best for outdoor resin wicker furniture?
What is the special spray paint I used to paint resin wicker? I used a Khaki Camouflage Spray Paint for a wide variety of reasons.
If you think about it, the specific use for camouflage spray paint is for the outdoors. Plus it is the right “wicker color” spray paint for a natural look.
Why Camouflage Spray Paint for Outdoor Wicker
- Designed for equipment used in hunting, sporting, outdoor life.
- Durable chip-resistant finish in 7 days.
- Can be used on wood, metal, wicker, wrought iron, plastic, hard vinyl, glass, plaster, ceramic, paper, and paper mache!
WOW, right and why I chose it for my outdoor resin wicker furniture…it will last outside PLUS adhere to the plastic furniture.
You don’t have to use the Krylon brand of paint. Here’s another camouflage spray paint option from Rustoleum you can try too!
Because I wanted a “driftwood” coastal look, the paint is non-reflective, and gives you a look similar to real woven wicker.
Step 1: Clean Old Wicker Furniture
Apply an outdoor cleaner and rinse with a high pressure garden hose or pressure washer.
Make sure to remove all mold, mildew, and dirt. Dry COMPLETELY. Once wicker is dry, brush off any dust, dirt or pollen that may have settled out of the nooks and crannies of the wicker. This ensures the best adhesion.
Step 2: Apply Bonding Primer to Wicker Piece
Find a protected outdoor area to apply your spray paint (ideally in the shade if you can). Place furniture on a water proof tarp or drop cloth.
Using the optional comfort grip attachment, spray an even coating of bonding primer over all surfaces including legs.
Use a press and release sweeping motion and overlap your spray pattern to get even coverage and avoid drips by staying 6 to 8 inches away from the surface.
You can see I use gloves to protect my hands from overspray and my manicure!
Primer isn’t meant to cover completely, so you will see some dark brown (or original color) show through.
Do NOT scratch the bonding primer to see if it’s sticking to the resin wicker. That isn’t a true adhesion test. Bonding primer acts like a “sticking agent” and helps the paint adhere to the surface.
Let dry 30 minutes to 1 hour, before applying the spray paint painting.
Step 3: Spray Paint Wicker Furniture
Using Krylon Ultra-Flat Khaki Camouflage spray paint and the same comfort grip attachment, spray first coat of spray paint.
Again stay 6 to 8 inches above the surface and use a sweeping motion never stopping in one place. This helps you avoid drips.
Spray several light coats, waiting 30–60 seconds between each one. Begin and end each pass slightly off the furniture, releasing the spray at the end to ensure smooth, even coverage across the surface
You won’t get FULL coverage on the 1st coat. Follow the manufacturer’s recoat time before applying the second coat. Here’s a guide:
- Recoat within 2 hours: You can apply additional coats within 2 hours of the initial application.
- Recoat after 48 hours: If more than 2 hours have passed since the last coat, wait at least 48 hours before recoating.
Step 4: Apply Second Coat of Spray Paint
Using the same process, apply additional coats of spray paint. You may need a 3rd coat to get full coverage.
I found that I couldn’t complete cover all of the bonding primer with just 2 coats, but likes the look and stopped here:
BEFORE USING: Let furniture dry overnight. The paint won’t be chip and flake resistant for 7 days, so be gentle with the furniture!
Reveal: Painted Resin Wicker Outdoor Furniture
Here is the after view with the freshly painted outdoor resin wicker sectional sofa and I LOVE the new look!
Shop the Front Porch!
How-to Fix Chipping Paint the Next Season
As I mentioned, spray painting your plastic furniture is NOT a permanent solution. Don’t be disheartened or think you did something wrong if over time chips happen!
Dust, debris, grease really anything can end up under the bonding primer on this tricky to paint surface.
Plus the wicker will expand and contract with heating and cooling temperatures.
This creates little weak spots and then you have someone sit down and further stress the wicker. Chips are just bound to happen!
Or you may have a similar issue that I did…a stray cat decided to stretch and claw on my sofa…can’t blame the cat for wanting to sleep on my porch!
Repair Chipped Spray Paint in 3 Easy Steps
Watch the entire video linked in this post!
- Thoroughly clean the surface with soap and water. Be gentle and when dry use a paint brush to swipe off weak areas of paint.
- Use a fine-grit sandpaper if needed to smooth the surface. Clean all sanding dust.
- Spray bonding primer over the areas that have chipped, including the adjacent areas. Dry 30 minutes.
- Apply a fresh coat of your spray paint. Dry overnight before placing cushions and wait a day to sit on the furniture.
IMPORTANT: My new cans of paint didn’t match the original color, so yours may not either.
BE PREPARED with enough spray paint to lightly coat all of the furniture to blend in the colors.
Know each season there will be touch ups required, but in an hour you can fix any issues you encounter.
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Painting Outdoor Furniture FAQs
Yes! Use the same exact process and method that I recommend. Because the furniture isn’t plastic you can use any outdoor rated spray paint in any color.
Follow this easy 3 step process to paint any plastic wicker furniture.
Clean and de-gloss, prime with a bonding primer, and apply spray paint rated for outdoor use. 
I found camouflage spray paint to be the best option for outdoor plastic rattan furniture. It is rated for plastic and outdoor use plus is durable and non-reflective so it looks more like a natural rattan finish.
Spray paint is the best option to get into all of the details of the wicker. Applying a regular paint with a brush will not cover as well to protect the wicker.
Yes! Use any spray paint recommended for outdoor use. My favorite is Rustoleum Universal Spray Paint. Just follow my paint tutorial for the best adhesion.
You can use Rustoleum Plastic primer or a general Bonding Primer to paint outdoor plastic our outdoor wicker furniture.
I hope you found this tutorial helpful and if you love making over items with spray paint, here are some additional ideas:
- Yes! You Can Spray Paint Cabinet Hardware
- Easily Update Picture Frames with Spray Paint!
- Spray Paint Curtain Rods for a Whole New Look
Spray paint is the easiest and most affordable way to make over your home decor and outdoor furniture!
Is a primer needed if you use a paint that has a primer?
Thank you
Hi, Amy! You can if it is rated for plastic. If it isn’t, you need a bonding primer to ensure it sticks to the plastic.
Hi Tracy, GREAT post!! Question for you…I have a 24″ gray paver pad for underneath my a/c unit, made of plastic resin. I would love to paint it a khaki/tan color instead. Would spray paint or brushing/rolling work better in your opinion? Thank you so much for any help you can give.
Hi, Kevin! Happy it helps you. Since the pad is horizontal and I would image stepped on, I’d use an industrial rated spray paint so it has a glosser finish and will be more durable plus withstand high tempuratures.
I’m not sure how old this post is as there’s no dates anywhere but I’m wondering if using Rustoleum plastic primer might have worked better than the universal bonding primer. Maybe it wasn’t on the market when this post was made.
It is a new post that I keep up to date. Yes! You can use the plastic primer as well. It’s also a bonding primer. I’ve added it to the FAQs, so thanks for the question.
Hi Tracey,
Before I begin painting resin wicker 4 piece set, would it be more economical and easier to use a sprayer instead of multiple cans of spray paint? I watched your video on buying a sprayer, too, so I’m thinking that might be better with so many pieces to spray. Your thoughts?
Leslie
Absolutely, if you feel comfortable with a sprayer you can spray Valspar Bonding Primer and use an exterior paint in any color.
I want to paint mine white, can I do that?
Absolutely, just make sure the spray paint specifically is designed for use in outdoor environments. My tray table on the front porch was sprayed using the same method in white and silver and has held up perfectly!
Hi, do you think it would be possible to get opacity with black camo paint over the bonding primer? I have two black resin wicker chairs and that are faded but I would like to keep the color.
Hi, Ashley! You can use regular black spray paint in any sheen. It will take a good amount of spray paint, but definitely can be done! So buy extra and return what you don’t use.
Can this technique be used on rattan wicker furniture. Mine are a oak type color right now would like to lighten to the khaki camouflage color you showed. Thank you
Absolutely!
I’d love to try this! It looks amazing! One issue I have is that my seat cushions are “built in” under the resin wicker, so you will sit directly on the painted area and it will revive a lot of wear and tear from the cushion springing up and down, as well as someone sitting directly on it. I’m wondering how that might hold up. All my furniture is outside in an uncovered area as well. Would you still recommend?
Hi, Sarah! I think I recommend this for only resin wicker that is under cover. I’m not sure how well it will wear. My cushions are sitting on the painted wicker and slide quite a bit. I’m seeing some wear on the edges, but it is really easy to touch up with more primer and spray paint, if it chips. To me paint is a life extender before buying something new…so don’t expect it to be a permanent solution 🙂
What did you do to revamp the cushions? They look brighter and fluffier.
I slipcovered them with white Sunbrella fabric. It was when were were in lockdown and I had nothing better to do 🙂
Can I paint over a latex paint on resin wicker that has chipped in some places? I want to use the Kraylon Fussin to have a more durable finish. Will i need to removr the latex paint? I plan-to prime first. What is the chance the primer and then the top coat will hold over latex?
Thank you, Gail
You would need to sand where it’s chipped, prime with the bonding primer, and then spray with the spray paint color. If the current painted finish isn’s sound then everything over the top can chip off.
Your tutorials are so helpful. I have a big furniture painting project in my future and your Valspar Cabinet & Furniture tutorial was packed with tips including the best applicators and technique to apply. I also read the list of the items you have already painted and now more ideas for fall painting. Luckily, I already own “the Grip”… will never use spray paint without it again. My main question is: DO YOU HAVE A LOCATION ON YOUR BLOG OR UTUBE WHERE I CAN FIND ALL OF YOUR TUTORIALS IN ONE PLACE? I seem to stumble upon them looking at your blog as they pop up. Would be wondeful to have a link to all of them in one spot. And I have the Cabinet “bumpers” ready to install as well and found the tuturial so all set except for the extender piece ? must order that too. THANK YOU SO MUCH. Love doing projects in my relatively new home. I also have many pictures from my former home with frames that are too dark. Now I feel confident to spray paint those as well. Who knew?
Yay! Wow you’ve been busy like me. Yes, I do have two places you can visit where I list all of the paint and DIY projects. At some point, I am going to redesign my site so it’s easier to find everything! Check out these two pages: https://porchdaydreamer.com/paint-project-resource/ and https://porchdaydreamer.com/diy-project-guide/