A Guide to Refinishing Wooden Bar Stools with Paint
Painting wooden bar stools is a straightforward way to match them to your interior design. Unfinished stools eliminate the need to strip an existing finish, but for used or secondhand stools, sanding off the old coat is required first. Both spray and brush application methods are viable, with spray often favored for stools with intricate parts.
By Drew Morgan
Painting wooden bar stools is an easy way to tailor them to your interior decor. If you start with unfinished stools, you avoid the step of removing an existing finish. However, for stools you already own or inexpensive finds from a yard sale, you will need to sand away the old finish first. A power sander like an orbital model can speed up the job, though hand sanding is also possible. When it comes to applying paint, you can choose between the traditional brush-on approach and spray paint; many DIY decorators lean toward spray because bar stools often have numerous small components.
Spray-On Method
Step 1
Place a dropcloth over your work area to prevent damage. Using an orbital sander, sanding block, or sheet of sandpaper, thoroughly sand each stool to eliminate any glossy lacquer, varnish, old paint, or stain. Begin with the coarser grit and finish with the finer grit.
Step 2
Wipe the stool with a tack cloth or damp cloth to remove all sanding residue.
Step 3
Turn the stool upside-down. Wear safety glasses and a painter’s mask. Apply two or three thin coats of primer. Let each coat dry, then lightly sand before the next application. After turning the stool right-side-up, repeat on the seat or top.
Step 4
Hold the spray can roughly 6 inches from the stool and apply a thin coat of your chosen paint color. Use short bursts to maintain control and prevent drips.
Step 5
Let the first coat dry. Continue adding thin coats in the same manner until you achieve the desired color and coverage. Turn the stools over and repeat for the other side. Allow the paint to dry completely, following the manufacturer’s directions.
Step 6
Apply an even coat of polyacrylic sealer using the same spraying technique as the paint.
Brush-On Method
Step 1
Prep the stools as described in Steps 1 and 2 of the spray-on method. Brush on a thin coat of primer. Let it dry, sand lightly, and apply a second thin coat. Repeat for a third coat.
Step 2
Open the latex paint and stir it with a paint stick. Brush the paint on, moving in the direction of the wood grain. Apply multiple thin coats to achieve even coverage. Let the paint dry fully before sealing.
Step 3
Brush on an even layer of clear-coat polyurethane to protect and seal the finish. Let it dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
