I was just about to mention needing to add fabric softener, but then saw all the comments below saying the same so… good job trying something new! It may not have worked this time, but now that you have a little experience, try it again! I’m sure you’ll have a better, more satisfying result!
I’ve done this project! Lone Fox has an excellent video using equal parts paint and fabric softener. My chair was soft and smelled awesome. Please try again and I would love for you to see how easy it is!!
I’ve never tried this, but I just watched a video with Anne Sloane. It was on another’s channel and she basically did a tutorial. Unfortunately, you made a few of what she called mistakes. She used a brush to lightly wet the fabric first, as you only want the surface wet. Then instead of mixing water, and paint she wet the brush first, then dipped it in paint, and sort of mixed it by working the brush on the up side of a roller pan. She said crispy is mostly due to overpainting, using more than 2 coats. She also said, you need to consider how the color of the original fabric may affect the color your applying, which I took as a message about expectations. She suggested that if it’s crunchy, a light sanding, then an application of wax, can give a soft hand and leather look to the finished product.
I’ve watched a few of these painted fabric videos and they’ve said adding fabric softener to the paint is the way to go. It does look really nice, too bad it didn’t feel nice.
I actually used a spray paint specifically for fabric on a similar club chair and it came out fantastic! I used a navy blue to cover a cornflower blue that had faded. No one believed me when I told them it had been spray painted. It was not crunchy or stiff afterward and I had it in a high end Cape Cod rental with no complaints. Rustoleum and Krylon make a fabric spray paint. I think the brand I used was called Simply Spray (?).
Used that and it took sooooo many cans of that paint and then I had splotchy cushions after they sat on the porch awhile. Didn't love the spray product.
I painted a sofa years ago with chalk paint. I sanded between each coat and sealed it with Annie Sloan wax. It’s not crusty and looks and feels like leather. It’s used daily and still looks good to this day. Hope this helps in case you’d like to try this process again. Oh, and I love your channel x
I too was wondering why she didn’t use AS method. Every video of a successful project involved sanding and wax. Like that she showed how long it actually takes and the energy to complete.
I was alternating between thinking, “are they crazy?!! and wondering how it would turn out. I gave you guys thumbs up because of your honesty and for keeping it real. Integrity counts in the long run! Also your bloopers ending had me laughing on an otherwise crappy day. Thanks for all your great content!!
I’ve painted lots of upholstery many times. Vinyl, poly silky fabrics (like most dining seats) work well. But you need to seal it with LOTS of wax to get a leather feel. Don’t try boucle, or linen type fabric it holds too much paint and becomes too hard. But what I discovered is the best way to cover an ugly upholstered chair. Spray can adhesive, hot glue and faux fur. It is ridiculously easy and fun. If the faux fur has to have long fur it covers all the seams. I presently have a window seat bench and a living room chair that I covered by cutting up a faux fur bedding. Looks great, cats love it and it hides pet hair!
I wonder why no one ever tries fabric paint in these projects--it's specifically for painting fabric. There is also an additive that crafters can use to mix with craft paint to make it work better on fabric. Don't know if this would work on upholstery but maybe worth a try?
I have painted a few chairs that were successful. I used a 50/50 mix of chalk paint and mineral spirits. Kept the fabric wet, sanded between each coat. Applied 3 coats. After the coverage, I put two waxed coats over the paint. It felt like leather! Smooth and comfortable. The fabric was a thin upholstery fabric. I did rewax every 6 months. I used the chairs for 2 yrs. I did need to reapply paint on the seat once during that time. It is definitely not along term solution.
I painted the arm on my faux leather sofa when the “leather” had peeled totally off. I used normal acrylic paint mixed with a little fabric softener. It’s amazing how much it feels and looks like real leather now. I saw a youtuber named Lone Fox do it (among others) and it totally works. My sofa looks like new now and it didn’t use up alot of paint. Seriously check out his video where he painted an armchair. I really recommend trying it. The arm on my sofa looked horrendous, only the fabric underside of the faux leather was left and now it looks like I had it reupholstered. Hope this can help someone save their furniture. Love from Denmark
I've watched several videos on painting upholstery and many of them use fabric softener (a couple tablespoons) in the paint and waxing it after its completely dry. This helps to keep the fabric soft and often makes the fabric look like leather
You are supposed to wax it last. It makes it look and feel like leather. I have done this. Make sure it it is completely dry. Use the round brush and brush in circles. Let the was dry and buff with a round dry brush. Try this before you re-upholster.
I put 3 coats. It might need more depending on how porous the fabric is and the thickness of the cushions. If the fabric is really worn, the paint will go through to the cushions. Definitely don’t water down the chalk paint. Spray the fabric or dip the brush like Andrea did on her second try. It was so cool when I tried it the first time, because I couldn’t believe how good it looked! I also painted vinyl dining room chairs to match a Formica 60’s table. Good luck!
Thank you for this video. I was thinking of doing our patio furniture next spring. I will just buy covers for the cushions. I'm so glad you posted this. I have been researching it but to get the "real truth" is so helpful! I just love watching your videos.
Too bad it didn't work, love the green. I used to have a red sofa and loveseat so I liked it red too. Y'all are so sweet with your outtakes! 😂😂 Merry Christmas Dean, Andrea, and family. Thanks for a fun and inspirational year, looking forward to what you get up to in 2022!!!
Well this has inspired a lot of comments! Thanks for posting your whole experience. What I don't see anyone mentioning is that in my experience it matters what color the original fabric was. If you want to thin it and use it like a dye (so it doesn't stiffen the fabric) you need a color that would create the final color you want just like a dye. In the video that several people mentioned where Debi Beard paints a velvet couch, she had a yellow couch and painted it with bohemian blue (deep teal blue) and ended up with something like a bottle green color. So taking your chair from red to green (opposites on the color wheel) is almost impossible with a dying technique. Each time the paint soaked in your red just kept popping through! I'm sure it was maddening. I had an aqua couch and painted it a dark gray and it took a couple of coats. But when I tried deep gray on a red velvet chair it just looked like a muted purple. So I quit and put it in my purple guest room LOL! I hear everyone saying to wax at the end but it seems like it would just attract dirt and get filthy so I've never done that last step. I agree no painted project will ever be as perfect as reupholstering! Cheers and happy holidays!
Haha it has! And I totally agree with you, I am scratching my head at the people asking why I didn’t use a dye, because clearly it needs something quite solid to cover up the red! I did try the wax in a spot but if still didn’t feel like fabric to me and I had the same thought as you. Others suggested fabric softener, but it seems it still turns out feeling like leather, which is great if that’s what you’re going for but not so great if you want a nice soft fabric haha.
I heard a fine art painter say that he "was failing better all of the time." It's a process. I never understood the painted furniture fabric idea because we live in an old house with fabric over the board and battens and paint is stiff when dried over that fabric, so why would one want to sit in a stiff, rough feeling chair? Good video. Re-upholstery is always best (and expensive). That friend's chair, however, would not be worth the expense because it's a piece that won't hold it's value over time. Best to purchase quality pieces Ethan Allen, Drexel, Hickory, etc. from estate sales and, yes, FB Marketplace, and redo those because they hold their value and will always sell at a good price because everyone knows of their quality and craftmanship.
I was thinking, "WHY is she PAINTING that chair!!" If you want to change the color, why not dye the fabric? I don't think painting fabric would work. Just use a fabric dye and let it air dry. Great episode and a definite learning experience!
DIY Danie and Lone Fox gave this a go as well. Danie used wax once the chair was painted to soften back the fabric, and Drew from Lone Fox mixed the water he sprayed with fabric softener. Maybe a mix of both could be the key here :)
I’m happy I guys did this, I’ve tried every kind I’ve found on TH-cam, I wasted paint and 6 pillows to test them out first!! Thank goodness I didn’t do the chairs💞thank you for sharing guys!! 18:12
THANK YOU!! For sharing this fail, I have always thought painted furniture could never feel like fabric and worry about mold and such, good lessons learned and shared , cheers!
I have been watching upholstery videos on the Sailrite channel. I think it wouldn't be as difficult to just reupholster. I think the most difficult part would be to sew the cushion covers.
Thanks for the honest failure. Because you documenting these experiments stop others from trying to do the same and potentially ruining their own furniture.
So glad you went ahead and posted this - if anyone could have made this work - it would have been you! This confirms for me - an upholstered piece needs to be reupholstered. (Or, slip covered.) Thank you! 💯👍
Thank you for making the decision to post this video after all - it is so helpful to see the process and to know that even brilliant DIYers like you guys also face DIY challenges! And it was top quality as usual with the editing, the outtakes, and the general good vibes! Love from Germany!
Your endurance is incredible. So glad you put it in. Just a heads up. You should not have diluted the paint that much, actually about 20-30%. The weave was not the killer the technique was. If you didn’t use Annie Sloan or DIY Paint you should have made a diy chalk paint yourself with calcium carbonate. If you were going to spray the chair then you didn’t need to dilute the paint. You just really added too much water. You removed the chemical bonding built into the paint with your technique. That chair should have not taken more than a quart of paint and that’s being generous. Nevertheless you guys are amazing in all that you do including this! Thank you for posting!
I have seen many videos on painting fabric furniture but never actually tried myself. However, the ones I have seen use regular wall paint and dilute it with fabric softener. From what I’ve heard, this makes it softer and gives it more of a leather look.
Thank you so much for this video. I've been thinking about painting my arm chair but I was scared lol... really appreciate this video because I trust you guys
Poor Andrea! That was a lot of work but it definitely came out beautiful. Even if it was a fail. You didn’t know it was your first time. thankfully you did put this video up so we can learn from it. Have a blessed week y’all with this crazy Texas weather. I hope y’all were good through these tornados and thunderstorms 3/22/22 crazy weather 🤪love y’all 🙏🏽🌷💚🌷
Ooh, first comment! 🥳 I was gonna say the colour looked so good, but it sucks that it didn’t feel good to sit in. Either way, the flip may have been a fail but the video was definitely entertaining, and educational so I’d call that a win! 😅
Been home sick and so stir crazy. Came across your channel. It’s so cozy and fun. I cheer. Laugh. Awesome ideas. Inspiring. Might have cried with your friend’s incredible remodel: kitchen and living room omg. Every video is like “Binging with Besties.” Was up all night w covid cough- didn’t feel as bad while watching. Thank you so much. 🥰
I succeeded using Annie Sloan chalk paint for a chair as big as yours. I used 2 layers only. Spraying with water and not watering equal parts. I am considering clear wax to make it even softer. My chair was slightly textured, btw.
It’s OK to show the files too. That makes it more relatable and helpful. I did this before on some outdoor patio furniture. And I used regular latex paint mixed with 2 to 1 ratio of paint and fabric softener. It turned out awesome and wasn’t hard and crusty. So in case you’re ever brave enough to try it again maybe this will help lol
LOOKS GREAT but when painting on fabric uv got to mix 👉FABRIC MEDIUM👈 w the PAINT😁😁😁THIS will keep it soft ...I learned this back in the 90s when Tshirt painting was popular Dont give up...try again next time💚💚💚👍👍👍
Oh, Andrea, I feel for you guys. I had watched a few videos where this technique was used, and I decided early into the video that I will never try it. What's worse, get this, one of the videos was done by Annie Sloan on an antique chair. She was a guest and did the hostess's chair. It was a gorgeous chair and my heart was breaking with every stroke of the brush, as I watched. Annie declared the project a success and the hostess agreed with her. I imagine out of courtesy. Thank you for posting this video and I hope anyone who is considering doing such thing, will watch your video first.
I think you did a good job on the chair. Can't see or feel the uncomfortableness through video. I have painted a sofa but I reupholstered the seat and back cushions. The sofa was done in a solid chaulk paint and then I used contrasting muted fabric for the seat/back cushions. It turned out great..I love it. Maybe you could do that next time. You have the softness of the new fabric on seat/back cushions against your body/skin and you don't have that much contact with the sofa base. Make sense? Good luck. You guys are great. I love watching you both! Thank you.
Yuck .... all I can imagine is where it's damp inside and molding... 🤢 ummm.. why didn't ya take the cushion covers off? It just keeps being absorbed by the poly fill or whatever the fill material is.
Could be that the blogger that said to water down 50/50 was using Annie Sloan paint. I find ASCP to be much thicker than Dixie Bell chalk paint. Just a thought. I've always wondered about painting fabric. Doesn't seem practical at all.
Lone fox and DIY Diane have painted cloth furniture in their videos and they say it’s been a success. If my memory serves me correctly, they put fabric softener in the paint??? I just found your channel and it’s so great!! New sub here!!! 👋🏼👋🏼👋🏼
Check out the TH-cam video "How to Paint Fabric with expert Annie Sloan". She's touted as a paint guru. Very good tips in this video, including waxing over the fabric as a final step to keep it soft. I hope this helps, should you try it again.
DIY Danie and Lone fox both had done a painting on furniture. They used a different paint/technique? Plus a wax. Hope you will try this again with better knowledge?
Just saw your painted chair Video.....I used fabric softener mixed in my paint reguar latex paint Before I painted I did water spray the fabric After I sanded the chair I was very happy the Video that I watched recommend the last step fabric waxing It turned out fantastic however I just need to wax it ....the sanding is really important and any store brought fabric softener is fine Watching you from Mexico
I bought some very expensive chairs for an exceptionally good price. The seriously need either reupholstering or painting. The fabric is n good condition, however they're stained. We tried everything, and painting would be the only option right now. Thank you!!! 🌷
I had seen a video on painting upholstery you don't dilute paint but plenty spraying of cloth.. it still LOOKED nice; but the red was beautiful and isn't my fav color..
I've never heard of painting upholstery. Kinda not surprised it failed lol. But I didn't even know it was possible (is it??). Thanks for posting the ups and downs anyway!!
Hi there, I’m Carlota, I watch your videos and like them very much. We want to invite you to review our kitchen and bathroom fixtures. If you are interested, please let me know.
~ Perhaps creating a slip cover(dyed to the colour of your choice) made from drop cloths? You can mix some RITS colours. Gargle with warm salt water for the frog to jump away from your mouth. That measly little swamp creature!?
I painted my tufted leather chair that was an ugly oyster color. I used Dixie belle paint and easy peasy spray wax. It was like painting a night stand…easy. Now I am painting a cotton sofa: the material is like quilter’s fabric…just flat no raised designs but the print has showed through 5 layers of DB paint. I thought this would be easy to paint since the background of the fabric is white and the printed details are only on the front side of the fabric. Going through the same thing you showed in the video… lots of paint,time and energy. I did lightly sand and it took my paint color out…which makes me assume that this couch may have been Scotch Guarded. Which would make sense as it’s supposed to repel water and stains. I think my first clue should have been how the water beaded on top of the fabric when I sprayed with my mister bottle…I strongly suggest spraying your fabric with water to test if it beads up if it does it isn’t going to accept your paint as well like in the video. Just thought I’d mention this.
I guess if I were trying it, I would have brushes it down with bleach, let it sit in the sun/black light, shampoo clean it, then brushed on dye. Maybe? In truth, I'd probably just sew new covers for the cushions and make a cover I could wrap around the chair itself, out of some halfway decent fabric.
Chalk Paint and/or Milk Paint is a specialist paint and, not everyone who works in a paint shop knows a lot about how to use it with upholstery and wood furniture. But, it is possible and its Fabulous. The shop shouldve advised you if they knew but, I've had that too and its cos they dont know that you can paint fabric or upholstery. Annie Sloane from the U.K shes all that to Chalk Paint :)
Well, it was great watching your efforts, but having done this myself I knew you were in for some trouble. The fabric of your chair was definitely not the right type and the color was not optimal. Tighter fabric is better. Also it's more about dying the fabric, not "painting" it. You need to use paint with a high concentration of dye. DIY Paint worked well for me. Also choosing a lighter color than the color you want is a good idea. Velvets and thicker fabrics work better. You need a lot of water. Work in circles and you have to work the paint into the fabric. Switching paint also probably did not help. Sanding lightly in the rough patches is a good idea. If you do this technique right, it won't be rough. Check out Debi Beard's couch painting video. Her version is fun to watch and the most informative I have found. Also remember color mixes with other colors. The red could have made a purplish color with blue or couldhave been brown or even an off black, but green is tricky without a blue or yellow undertone.
Great video! I love seeing the process of experimentation. I have looked into this for a project. A couple of things I've observed. 1. Closed materials like vinyl accepts the paint better than open materials like woven polyester or cotton. 2. Adding liquid fabric softener to the paint is supposed to help with keeping a soft texture the fabric. 3. A top coat would provide some stain and water blocking properties. I will be tackling this project in the spring for some furniture my wife wants on the patio.
Check out Annie Sloane she's the Queen of Chalk Paint its her field of expertise and, she has a line of Chalk Paints in her name. She also offers work shop how to on utube with all sorts of furniture, she's fab. I think the boo happened with the 1st applic and that it was watered down plus, there's a Wax you have to use afterwards that makes the fabric soft n supple. So, dont worry there's hope for your arm chair, it just needs to be Waxed but, make sure you do it with the correct wax for Chalk Paint or Milk Paint. The chair looks great btw :)
So I’ve done this with a similar textured fabric and it turned out okay - but the key was to add wax and buff it at the end. Without that wax/buff step, the chair would have been unusable, but with the wax it feels like a textured leather. We used the same chalky paint from Lowe’s that you did (and the wax that goes with that line.) We needed fewer coats of paint, because we were using a dark paint color on a light fabric. (But we added two coats of wax…. so still 5 coats total.) Agree that it’s not often worth the effort!
In the early 70s, blue jeans were thick and very durable. Unless you had your mom wash your new jeans multiple times, you'd start out sounding like a needle scratching across a record when you walked.
If you end up keeping it...or even in the interim...just take some nice feeling & complementary fabric & just hang it over the arms or at the back where you head goes...then they won't have to touch the rougher painted fabric.
It looks so pretty. Sad that it doesn't feel as inviting as it looks. I have seen people put liquid fabric softener too (a lot of comments mention that) but in Latex paint and it gives it a leathery feel. Perhaps that's a technique to look into in the future. I love your channel and your work...and again...this chair looks amazing!
I tried that fabric paint on an Golfing Umbrella to hide the company name of a place I once worked. I could have told you it comes out "Crusty".. I will never use that stuff again. Easier to have it re-upholstered .. No kidding. If you know how to sew to take the old fabric off and use it as a template which I have done in the past. That way you know you have a accurate fit.
I paint furniture with Annie Sloan chalk paint. I use a spray bottle with water first on the fabric. I spray water as needed to absorb paint into fabric. I use no more than 2 coats. I sand with fine grit when completely dry and vaccuum. The fabic is not stiff. I've painted damask and cotton fabrics.
u have to seal it with wax! it turns leathery and feels nice- u also did it way too watery.. u only have to do that technique with furrier fabric like velvet, but for what u have the normal method is fine. lots of people have made videos like this. Look up diy Dannie's chair and lone fox on TH-cam. Once uv watched the videos u can still save the chair u did... it will be easy 🙂
I haven't read all the comments so I don't know if anyone else has mentioned this but the painted furniture I've seen has had a couple coats of the clear wax on it...apparently it is supposed to set the paint and make it softer ??? Lord only knows if that's true, but to me the wax made it take on a leather quality...I watched a lady paint a velvet sofa and she said it was soft as could be...Thanks for this video...I'm not so sure I'd paint fabric now...lol
I have never heard of a paint that does not crack with time and use so why would you paint a flexible surface? I think the whole painting fabric thing was always just a gimmick we all fell for.
Why don’t you just dye with a fabric tint?, you just have to take off the covers, I see they have zippers, introduce it in a hot water, soak them 20 minutes, rise, and let them dry in a sun.
I have no idea where this trend got it’s origin? Paint is not made for using on fabric. I’ve seen this so many times, and it looks, not to mention feels, awful. This has to come off on your clothes as well. To each their own I suppose, but since the question was asked… it’s a definitive fail.
That chair was screaming in pain after it’s back-ally rhinoplasty. The poor thing is probably so thankful to have found a proper plastic surgeon for its facelift redo
![Living Room Refresh [Part 3!] // Living Room Makeover On A Budget! // Living Room Interior Design](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/fF3-klfRDPI/mqdefault.jpg)
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Fails are just as important as successes. Thanks for sharing this "fail"--entertaining, and informative. Happy Holidays to you and yours!
I was just about to mention needing to add fabric softener, but then saw all the comments below saying the same so… good job trying something new! It may not have worked this time, but now that you have a little experience, try it again! I’m sure you’ll have a better, more satisfying result!
I’ve done this project! Lone Fox has an excellent video using equal parts paint and fabric softener. My chair was soft and smelled awesome. Please try again and I would love for you to see how easy it is!!
I said the same thing! Lone Fox video was great!
My chair came out great. They messed up by using all that water and no fabric softener
Thank u for sharing
Yes the fabric softener is what really keeps it from being hard like paint. 🙂
I’ve never tried this, but I just watched a video with Anne Sloane. It was on another’s channel and she basically did a tutorial. Unfortunately, you made a few of what she called mistakes. She used a brush to lightly wet the fabric first, as you only want the surface wet. Then instead of mixing water, and paint she wet the brush first, then dipped it in paint, and sort of mixed it by working the brush on the up side of a roller pan. She said crispy is mostly due to overpainting, using more than 2 coats. She also said, you need to consider how the color of the original fabric may affect the color your applying, which I took as a message about expectations. She suggested that if it’s crunchy, a light sanding, then an application of wax, can give a soft hand and leather look to the finished product.
I’ve watched a few of these painted fabric videos and they’ve said adding fabric softener to the paint is the way to go. It does look really nice, too bad it didn’t feel nice.
I heard the same... using fabric softener works really well... looks really good 👍🏽
I actually used a spray paint specifically for fabric on a similar club chair and it came out fantastic! I used a navy blue to cover a cornflower blue that had faded. No one believed me when I told them it had been spray painted. It was not crunchy or stiff afterward and I had it in a high end Cape Cod rental with no complaints. Rustoleum and Krylon make a fabric spray paint. I think the brand I used was called Simply Spray (?).
Yep! Fabric paint works great. I've used it on a rocking chair twice for each of my children's nursery. Came out awesome both times.
Used that and it took sooooo many cans of that paint and then I had splotchy cushions after they sat on the porch awhile. Didn't love the spray product.
I painted a sofa years ago with chalk paint. I sanded between each coat and sealed it with Annie Sloan wax. It’s not crusty and looks and feels like leather. It’s used daily and still looks good to this day. Hope this helps in case you’d like to try this process again. Oh, and I love your channel x
I read about wax at the end too.
I too was wondering why she didn’t use AS method. Every video of a successful project involved sanding and wax. Like that she showed how long it actually takes and the energy to complete.
The wax finish is likely what helped.
I've used wax and it helped with the feel but left a white residue.
I think Debbie’s Design Diary has a painted velvet sofa on her channel.
I was alternating between thinking, “are they crazy?!! and wondering how it would turn out. I gave you guys thumbs up because of your honesty and for keeping it real. Integrity counts in the long run! Also your bloopers ending had me laughing on an otherwise crappy day. Thanks for all your great content!!
I’ve painted lots of upholstery many times. Vinyl, poly silky fabrics (like most dining seats) work well. But you need to seal it with LOTS of wax to get a leather feel. Don’t try boucle, or linen type fabric it holds too much paint and becomes too hard.
But what I discovered is the best way to cover an ugly upholstered chair. Spray can adhesive, hot glue and faux fur. It is ridiculously easy and fun. If the faux fur has to have long fur it covers all the seams.
I presently have a window seat bench and a living room chair that I covered by cutting up a faux fur bedding. Looks great, cats love it and it hides pet hair!
I wonder why no one ever tries fabric paint in these projects--it's specifically for painting fabric. There is also an additive that crafters can use to mix with craft paint to make it work better on fabric. Don't know if this would work on upholstery but maybe worth a try?
Interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Yes! Textile medium
I have painted a few chairs that were successful.
I used a 50/50 mix of chalk paint and mineral spirits. Kept the fabric wet, sanded between each coat. Applied 3 coats. After the coverage, I put two waxed coats over the paint.
It felt like leather! Smooth and comfortable.
The fabric was a thin upholstery fabric. I did rewax every 6 months. I used the chairs for 2 yrs. I did need to reapply paint on the seat once during that time.
It is definitely not along term solution.
You guys are great and this was a fun video to watch. Lone Fox has a good video and he uses latex paint with fabric softner.
Me too it really works so good
Hi where did you get it from ?
I painted the arm on my faux leather sofa when the “leather” had peeled totally off. I used normal acrylic paint mixed with a little fabric softener. It’s amazing how much it feels and looks like real leather now. I saw a youtuber named Lone Fox do it (among others) and it totally works. My sofa looks like new now and it didn’t use up alot of paint. Seriously check out his video where he painted an armchair. I really recommend trying it. The arm on my sofa looked horrendous, only the fabric underside of the faux leather was left and now it looks like I had it reupholstered. Hope this can help someone save their furniture. Love from Denmark
I've watched several videos on painting upholstery and many of them use fabric softener (a couple tablespoons) in the paint and waxing it after its completely dry. This helps to keep the fabric soft and often makes the fabric look like leather
You are supposed to wax it last. It makes it look and feel like leather. I have done this. Make sure it it is completely dry. Use the round brush and brush in circles. Let the was dry and buff with a round dry brush. Try this before you re-upholster.
I have read this about cloth. The wax is important
does it still sound crunchy?
@@lovly2cu725 Doesn’t sound crunchy at all. It still needs to be sanded with 220 grit sand paper, then waxed.
How many coats did you use? I'm curious if my salvaged chair is worth it.
I put 3 coats. It might need more depending on how porous the fabric is and the thickness of the cushions. If the fabric is really worn, the paint will go through to the cushions. Definitely don’t water down the chalk paint. Spray the fabric or dip the brush like Andrea did on her second try. It was so cool when I tried it the first time, because I couldn’t believe how good it looked! I also painted vinyl dining room chairs to match a Formica 60’s table. Good luck!
Thank you for this video. I was thinking of doing our patio furniture next spring. I will just buy covers for the cushions. I'm so glad you posted this. I have been researching it but to get the "real truth" is so helpful! I just love watching your videos.
Too bad it didn't work, love the green. I used to have a red sofa and loveseat so I liked it red too. Y'all are so sweet with your outtakes! 😂😂 Merry Christmas Dean, Andrea, and family. Thanks for a fun and inspirational year, looking forward to what you get up to in 2022!!!
Well this has inspired a lot of comments! Thanks for posting your whole experience. What I don't see anyone mentioning is that in my experience it matters what color the original fabric was. If you want to thin it and use it like a dye (so it doesn't stiffen the fabric) you need a color that would create the final color you want just like a dye. In the video that several people mentioned where Debi Beard paints a velvet couch, she had a yellow couch and painted it with bohemian blue (deep teal blue) and ended up with something like a bottle green color. So taking your chair from red to green (opposites on the color wheel) is almost impossible with a dying technique. Each time the paint soaked in your red just kept popping through! I'm sure it was maddening. I had an aqua couch and painted it a dark gray and it took a couple of coats. But when I tried deep gray on a red velvet chair it just looked like a muted purple. So I quit and put it in my purple guest room LOL! I hear everyone saying to wax at the end but it seems like it would just attract dirt and get filthy so I've never done that last step. I agree no painted project will ever be as perfect as reupholstering! Cheers and happy holidays!
Haha it has! And I totally agree with you, I am scratching my head at the people asking why I didn’t use a dye, because clearly it needs something quite solid to cover up the red! I did try the wax in a spot but if still didn’t feel like fabric to me and I had the same thought as you. Others suggested fabric softener, but it seems it still turns out feeling like leather, which is great if that’s what you’re going for but not so great if you want a nice soft fabric haha.
Other DIyers used fabric softener in the paint.
I heard a fine art painter say that he "was failing better all of the time." It's a process. I never understood the painted furniture fabric idea because we live in an old house with fabric over the board and battens and paint is stiff when dried over that fabric, so why would one want to sit in a stiff, rough feeling chair? Good video. Re-upholstery is always best (and expensive). That friend's chair, however, would not be worth the expense because it's a piece that won't hold it's value over time. Best to purchase quality pieces Ethan Allen, Drexel, Hickory, etc. from estate sales and, yes, FB Marketplace, and redo those because they hold their value and will always sell at a good price because everyone knows of their quality and craftmanship.
I was thinking, "WHY is she PAINTING that chair!!" If you want to change the color, why not dye the fabric? I don't think painting fabric would work. Just use a fabric dye and let it air dry. Great episode and a definite learning experience!
Don’t you have to wax it after painting?
DIY Danie and Lone Fox gave this a go as well. Danie used wax once the chair was painted to soften back the fabric, and Drew from Lone Fox mixed the water he sprayed with fabric softener. Maybe a mix of both could be the key here :)
Ah maybe so! I tried the wax and it didn’t matter, but didn’t try the fabric softener!
I did it with fabric softener sprayer and made my own chalk paint. Went from dark green to mid blue. After a year it needs a fresh coat.
@@diywife do you think more sanding would have worked?
I’m happy I guys did this, I’ve tried every kind I’ve found on TH-cam, I wasted paint and 6 pillows to test them out first!! Thank goodness I didn’t do the chairs💞thank you for sharing guys!! 18:12
Wait. What about dying the fabric with fabric dye? Obviously you'd need a lighter colored piece of furniture, but... Am I a genius?
THANK YOU!! For sharing this fail, I have always thought painted furniture could never feel like fabric and worry about mold and such, good lessons learned and shared , cheers!
I have been watching upholstery videos on the Sailrite channel. I think it wouldn't be as difficult to just reupholster. I think the most difficult part would be to sew the cushion covers.
Any chance you will make action back singlets in good quality cotton, black or red would be awesome...
Appreciate your honesty! I'm surprised you didn't bleach out the white, and then stain the chair - since this was a cloth upholstery?
Andrea -- I'm always so massively blown away and impressed by your woodworking skills -- maybe you want to explore slip covering (sewing) ? ;-)
Thanks for the honest failure. Because you documenting these experiments stop others from trying to do the same and potentially ruining their own furniture.
So glad you went ahead and posted this - if anyone could have made this work - it would have been you!
This confirms for me - an upholstered piece needs to be reupholstered. (Or, slip covered.)
Thank you! 💯👍
Thank you for making the decision to post this video after all - it is so helpful to see the process and to know that even brilliant DIYers like you guys also face DIY challenges! And it was top quality as usual with the editing, the outtakes, and the general good vibes! Love from Germany!
NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! never paint couches and chairs. URGH!
Thanks for sharing this. Love a good flop. Great info. You saved me time & money. Appreciate it. Thanks.
Your endurance is incredible. So glad you put it in. Just a heads up. You should not have diluted the paint that much, actually about 20-30%. The weave was not the killer the technique was. If you didn’t use Annie Sloan or DIY Paint you should have made a diy chalk paint yourself with calcium carbonate. If you were going to spray the chair then you didn’t need to dilute the paint. You just really added too much water. You removed the chemical bonding built into the paint with your technique. That chair should have not taken more than a quart of paint and that’s being generous. Nevertheless you guys are amazing in all that you do including this! Thank you for posting!
I have seen many videos on painting fabric furniture but never actually tried myself. However, the ones I have seen use regular wall paint and dilute it with fabric softener. From what I’ve heard, this makes it softer and gives it more of a leather look.
Never tried this but I'm wondering if the latex feel is what makes it feel good rather than that rough chalky feel.
I like that you two keep it real. Debbie from Design Diaries has a good tutorial on painting a sofa. ♡
Thank you so much for this video. I've been thinking about painting my arm chair but I was scared lol... really appreciate this video because I trust you guys
I love this channel so much…. Very genuine and sincere.
Lone Fox 🦊 video: th-cam.com/video/gXTuruS1cJE/w-d-xo.html
The paint was too thin, the chair was far to wet....the foam is likely soaked.
a big LIKE for your perseverance!👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻✨✨✨
Poor Andrea! That was a lot of work but it definitely came out beautiful. Even if it was a fail. You didn’t know it was your first time. thankfully you did put this video up so we can learn from it. Have a blessed week y’all with this crazy Texas weather. I hope y’all were good through these tornados and thunderstorms 3/22/22 crazy weather 🤪love y’all 🙏🏽🌷💚🌷
Slipcovers, guys.
Project was a fail…but this video…whopping success…very entertaining!!😂😂
Beautiful chair. Please get it reupholstered.
Thanks for sharing the video. You are both talented creators and it’s reassuring to know it’s not only me that has a fail! Love your channel 😊
You people DO NOT do your research! Omg! Fabric softner!!!!! Will eliminate the stiffness.. cure it with wax helps!!!
Ooh, first comment! 🥳 I was gonna say the colour looked so good, but it sucks that it didn’t feel good to sit in. Either way, the flip may have been a fail but the video was definitely entertaining, and educational so I’d call that a win! 😅
Been home sick and so stir crazy. Came across your channel. It’s so cozy and fun. I cheer. Laugh. Awesome ideas. Inspiring. Might have cried with your friend’s incredible remodel: kitchen and living room omg. Every video is like “Binging with Besties.” Was up all night w covid cough- didn’t feel as bad while watching. Thank you so much. 🥰
I succeeded using Annie Sloan chalk paint for a chair as big as yours. I used 2 layers only. Spraying with water and not watering equal parts. I am considering clear wax to make it even softer. My chair was slightly textured, btw.
It’s OK to show the files too. That makes it more relatable and helpful. I did this before on some outdoor patio furniture. And I used regular latex paint mixed with 2 to 1 ratio of paint and fabric softener. It turned out awesome and wasn’t hard and crusty. So in case you’re ever brave enough to try it again maybe this will help lol
I am glad you didn't scrap the video. I was curious to see if it would work. Now I know.
LOOKS GREAT but when painting on fabric uv got to mix 👉FABRIC MEDIUM👈 w the PAINT😁😁😁THIS will keep it soft ...I learned this back in the 90s when Tshirt painting was popular
Dont give up...try again next time💚💚💚👍👍👍
Oh, Andrea, I feel for you guys. I had watched a few videos where this technique was used, and I decided early into the video that I will never try it. What's worse, get this, one of the videos was done by Annie Sloan on an antique chair. She was a guest and did the hostess's chair. It was a gorgeous chair and my heart was breaking with every stroke of the brush, as I watched. Annie declared the project a success and the hostess agreed with her. I imagine out of courtesy. Thank you for posting this video and I hope anyone who is considering doing such thing, will watch your video first.
It kinda 💥.Maybe re upholstering is better. At least you tried 🙂👍👍👍👍👍🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲
I think you did a good job on the chair. Can't see or feel the uncomfortableness through video. I have painted a sofa but I reupholstered the seat and back cushions. The sofa was done in a solid chaulk paint and then I used contrasting muted fabric for the seat/back cushions. It turned out great..I love it. Maybe you could do that next time. You have the softness of the new fabric on seat/back cushions against your body/skin and you don't have that much contact with the sofa base. Make sense? Good luck. You guys are great. I love watching you both! Thank you.
Yuck .... all I can imagine is where it's damp inside and molding... 🤢 ummm.. why didn't ya take the cushion covers off? It just keeps being absorbed by the poly fill or whatever the fill material is.
Could be that the blogger that said to water down 50/50 was using Annie Sloan paint. I find ASCP to be much thicker than Dixie Bell chalk paint. Just a thought. I've always wondered about painting fabric. Doesn't seem practical at all.
Lone fox and DIY Diane have painted cloth furniture in their videos and they say it’s been a success. If my memory serves me correctly, they put fabric softener in the paint???
I just found your channel and it’s so great!! New sub here!!! 👋🏼👋🏼👋🏼
Thanks for sharing your “fail” with us! It gives us a realistic view.
You're very negative. You try to dismiss your negativity by laughing sometimes but that just makes it worse. You also complain a lot.
Check out the TH-cam video "How to Paint Fabric with expert Annie Sloan". She's touted as a paint guru. Very good tips in this video, including waxing over the fabric as a final step to keep it soft. I hope this helps, should you try it again.
DIY Danie and Lone fox both had done a painting on furniture. They used a different paint/technique? Plus a wax. Hope you will try this again with better knowledge?
Just saw your painted chair Video.....I used fabric softener mixed in my paint reguar latex paint Before I painted I did water spray the fabric After I sanded the chair I was very happy the Video that I watched recommend the last step fabric waxing It turned out fantastic however I just need to wax it ....the sanding is really important and any store brought fabric softener is fine Watching you from Mexico
I bought some very expensive chairs for an exceptionally good price. The seriously need either reupholstering or painting. The fabric is n good condition, however they're stained. We tried everything, and painting would be the only option right now. Thank you!!! 🌷
I had seen a video on painting upholstery you don't dilute paint but plenty spraying of cloth.. it still LOOKED nice; but the red was beautiful and isn't my fav color..
I've never heard of painting upholstery. Kinda not surprised it failed lol. But I didn't even know it was possible (is it??). Thanks for posting the ups and downs anyway!!
Hi there,
I’m Carlota, I watch your videos and like them very much.
We want to invite you to review our kitchen and bathroom fixtures.
If you are interested, please let me know.
~ Perhaps creating a slip cover(dyed to the colour of your choice) made from drop cloths? You can mix some RITS colours. Gargle with warm salt water for the frog to jump away from your mouth. That measly little swamp creature!?
I painted my tufted leather chair that was an ugly oyster color. I used Dixie belle paint and easy peasy spray wax. It was like painting a night stand…easy. Now I am painting a cotton sofa: the material is like quilter’s fabric…just flat no raised designs but the print has showed through 5 layers of DB paint. I thought this would be easy to paint since the background of the fabric is white and the printed details are only on the front side of the fabric. Going through the same thing you showed in the video… lots of paint,time and energy. I did lightly sand and it took my paint color out…which makes me assume that this couch may have been Scotch Guarded. Which would make sense as it’s supposed to repel water and stains. I think my first clue should have been how the water beaded on top of the fabric when I sprayed with my mister bottle…I strongly suggest spraying your fabric with water to test if it beads up if it does it isn’t going to accept your paint as well like in the video.
Just thought I’d mention this.
I guess if I were trying it, I would have brushes it down with bleach, let it sit in the sun/black light, shampoo clean it, then brushed on dye. Maybe?
In truth, I'd probably just sew new covers for the cushions and make a cover I could wrap around the chair itself, out of some halfway decent fabric.
I wouldn’t recommend painting fabric, but you needed the wax on it afterward. That softens it up. Looks good though.
Chalk Paint and/or Milk Paint is a specialist paint and, not everyone who works in a paint shop
knows a lot about how to use it with upholstery and wood furniture. But, it is possible and its
Fabulous. The shop shouldve advised you if they knew but, I've had that too and its cos they
dont know that you can paint fabric or upholstery.
Annie Sloane from the U.K shes all that to Chalk Paint :)
Try TH-cam video Debbie's design diary she paints Upholstery furniture Probably have to go back in videos She Sanded between each coat of paint
Well, it was great watching your efforts, but having done this myself I knew you were in for some trouble. The fabric of your chair was definitely not the right type and the color was not optimal. Tighter fabric is better. Also it's more about dying the fabric, not "painting" it. You need to use paint with a high concentration of dye. DIY Paint worked well for me. Also choosing a lighter color than the color you want is a good idea. Velvets and thicker fabrics work better. You need a lot of water. Work in circles and you have to work the paint into the fabric. Switching paint also probably did not help. Sanding lightly in the rough patches is a good idea. If you do this technique right, it won't be rough. Check out Debi Beard's couch painting video. Her version is fun to watch and the most informative I have found. Also remember color mixes with other colors. The red could have made a purplish color with blue or couldhave been brown or even an off black, but green is tricky without a blue or yellow undertone.
Great video! I love seeing the process of experimentation. I have looked into this for a project. A couple of things I've observed.
1. Closed materials like vinyl accepts the paint better than open materials like woven polyester or cotton.
2. Adding liquid fabric softener to the paint is supposed to help with keeping a soft texture the fabric.
3. A top coat would provide some stain and water blocking properties.
I will be tackling this project in the spring for some furniture my wife wants on the patio.
Check out Annie Sloane she's the Queen of Chalk Paint its her field of expertise and,
she has a line of Chalk Paints in her name. She also offers work shop how to on utube
with all sorts of furniture, she's fab.
I think the boo happened with the 1st applic and that it was watered down plus, there's
a Wax you have to use afterwards that makes the fabric soft n supple.
So, dont worry there's hope for your arm chair, it just needs to be Waxed but, make
sure you do it with the correct wax for Chalk Paint or Milk Paint. The chair looks great btw :)
I have the same chair in off white. I've been trying to find someone to reupholstered it.
Hey, you stuck that one out. Maybe if the piece is small I would try this otherwise NOPE!!!! Thanks for the heads up.
So I’ve done this with a similar textured fabric and it turned out okay - but the key was to add wax and buff it at the end. Without that wax/buff step, the chair would have been unusable, but with the wax it feels like a textured leather.
We used the same chalky paint from Lowe’s that you did (and the wax that goes with that line.)
We needed fewer coats of paint, because we were using a dark paint color on a light fabric. (But we added two coats of wax…. so still 5 coats total.)
Agree that it’s not often worth the effort!
Impossible to dye with a non-covering product...not with this background color.
In the early 70s, blue jeans were thick and very durable. Unless you had your mom wash your new jeans multiple times, you'd start out sounding like a needle scratching across a record when you walked.
If you end up keeping it...or even in the interim...just take some nice feeling & complementary fabric & just hang it over the arms or at the back where you head goes...then they won't have to touch the rougher painted fabric.
It looks so pretty. Sad that it doesn't feel as inviting as it looks. I have seen people put liquid fabric softener too (a lot of comments mention that) but in Latex paint and it gives it a leathery feel. Perhaps that's a technique to look into in the future. I love your channel and your work...and again...this chair looks amazing!
I tried that fabric paint on an Golfing Umbrella to hide the company name of a place I once worked. I could have told you it comes out "Crusty".. I will never use that stuff again. Easier to have it re-upholstered .. No kidding.
If you know how to sew to take the old fabric off and use it as a template which I have done in the past. That way you know you have a accurate fit.
I paint furniture with Annie Sloan chalk paint. I use a spray bottle with water first on the fabric. I spray water as needed to absorb paint into fabric. I use no more than 2 coats. I sand with fine grit when completely dry and vaccuum. The fabic is not stiff. I've painted damask and cotton fabrics.
LOL!!! I can't help but wonder what the reupholster has to say about the stuffing below the fabric when they open it up... :)
What kind of air compressor do you have? And what kind of spray gun? Plus where did you buy your spray gun?
u have to seal it with wax! it turns leathery and feels nice- u also did it way too watery.. u only have to do that technique with furrier fabric like velvet, but for what u have the normal method is fine. lots of people have made videos like this. Look up diy Dannie's chair and lone fox on TH-cam. Once uv watched the videos u can still save the chair u did... it will be easy 🙂
I haven't read all the comments so I don't know if anyone else has mentioned this but the painted furniture I've seen has had a couple coats of the clear wax on it...apparently it is supposed to set the paint and make it softer ??? Lord only knows if that's true, but to me the wax made it take on a leather quality...I watched a lady paint a velvet sofa and she said it was soft as could be...Thanks for this video...I'm not so sure I'd paint fabric now...lol
I have never heard of a paint that does not crack with time and use so why would you paint a flexible surface? I think the whole painting fabric thing was always just a gimmick we all fell for.
Dang! I wish your project had been successful! Thank you for showing your fail s we don't have to.
Why don’t you just dye with a fabric tint?, you just have to take off the covers, I see they have zippers, introduce it in a hot water, soak them 20 minutes, rise, and let them dry in a sun.
Lone Fox and DIY Dani each have sofa chair painting videos. One of them used liquid laundry softener.
They do say there is a crispy factor, and that it appears like the two colours mixed. So.....raspberry and olive?
I glad you posted the video. "Failures" are just as important as the successes. Great story telling and editing as always!
Yeah, fabric work is in it's own genre. I'm not sure if fabric dye would be helpful but could be something else to try.
Thanks for doing this video. Always wondered. What about leather? Do you think it might work out better?
I have no idea where this trend got it’s origin? Paint is not made for using on fabric. I’ve seen this so many times, and it looks, not to mention feels, awful. This has to come off on your clothes as well. To each their own I suppose, but since the question was asked… it’s a definitive fail.
That chair was screaming in pain after it’s back-ally rhinoplasty. The poor thing is probably so thankful to have found a proper plastic surgeon for its facelift redo