How to Paint a Wooden Rocking Chair

Outdoor rocking chairs are perfect for sitting in the shade, and indoor rockers are great for cozying up by a fireplace. However, exposing rocking chairs to the elements makes rockers deteriorate more quickly. Luckily, it's easy to re-varnish and re-paint them.

Step 1 – Cleaning

Because rocking chairs are sometimes ornate with carvings, they can be more difficult to paint that other types of furniture. To make sure the rocker is painted evenly, first wash the chair with a damp cloth and warm, soapy water to get rid of any dirt or dust. Then, dry it thoroughly. In addition, inspect your rocker thoroughly to see if there's any repairable damage. Replace old rockers if you need to.

Step 2 – Sanding

Next, sand the wood chair using fine-grit sandpaper. Fold the sandpaper to get into any small crevices. Use wet-and-dry sandpaper to finish the rocking chair until it’s smooth.

Step 3 – Priming

Once dry, paint a single coat of primer onto the wood rocker. Your primer type will depend on what type of paint you plan on using. Latex paint is better for an indoor chair, while an exterior-gloss paint is better for an outdoor chair.

Step 4 – Painting

After the primer has dried, paint the entire chair with the color of your choice. Paint with the grain where possible, and try not to leave any brush marks. Let it dry, and repeat for a final coat.