How to paint fabric
Painting a Fabric Chair
If your chair has been treated with a stain-resistant coating, there will be an invisible protective layer that also repels paint. We do not recommend painting chairs that have received such a treatment.
Painting a Fabric Chair with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
You can successfully paint a fabric chair with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, but the final result depends on the type of fabric.
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Polyester: Not recommended, as polyester fibers do not absorb paint well.
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Cotton: Paint adheres well.
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Cotton-polyester blends: Test a small, inconspicuous area first, as some blends accept paint better than others.
Instructions for Painting a Fabric Chair
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Fill a spray bottle with water and lightly mist the fabric section.
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Dilute the paint with water. There’s no fixed ratio — some colors are thicker due to higher pigment content and may require more water. The paint should be thin enough to penetrate the fibers. If the paint is too thick, it will sit on top of the fabric and may crack. Use an oval brush.
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Let the paint dry thoroughly, ideally one day.
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Lightly sand the fabric with fine sandpaper until it feels soft and flexible.
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Vacuum the fabric to remove dust.
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Spray the fabric again and apply another layer of diluted paint. Lightly sand and vacuum.
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Repeat these steps until the color fully covers the fabric and you are satisfied. Finish with light sanding and vacuuming.
Finishing
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Wax is optional, but it provides protection. Use Clear Wax applied with a wax brush, working it into the fabric. This gives the chair a slightly leather-like finish.
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Without wax, the chair is more susceptible to stains but retains more of the fabric’s original texture.
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With or without wax, the chair can still be used normally.
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High-pile fabrics (e.g., velvet) should not be waxed, as it won’t look good.
Tip: Always test whether the paint rubs off by wiping a white cloth over the fabric. Highly pigmented colors like red and blue may take longer to stop releasing pigment.