Introduction: Plastic Lawn Chair Upgrade

About: Retired Shop Teacher, Tool Collector, I like Cars, Guitars, Bikes and Electronics. I'd rather Recycle than buy Materials. Definitely Old-School Methods.

Those inexpensive plastic lawn chairs that everybody owns tend to fade and look old very dated very quickly.

Here is a method to upgrade them and make them look fantastic.

Step 1: Preparation

Make sure the chairs are washed, clean and dry. You'll find some flashing (Thin pieces of plastic) clinging to certain areas. These are left over from the casting process and must be removed. I used a file which scraped them off easily. Use an electric sander and some 220 grade sandpaper to rough up the entire surfaces, front and back. Wash them again I used a vinegar and water solution to prep for paint.

Step 2: Paint

I used Fusion Mineral Paint which is extremely durable and adheres well to any surface without showing brush marks. Their website is https://fusionmineralpaint.com/. I chose the colour Cranberry. Any paint recommended for plastic will do, however.

Using a good brush and a microfibre mini roller, I applied two coats to all surfaces, waiting four hours between coats.

Step 3: Stencil Option

I cut my own Hibiscus stencil and using sponges applied craft paint. Commercial stencils are readily available, however. It greatly added to the upgrade, even though the chairs looked great without it.

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