Tape the legs and any parts you want to protect from the paint. Use a paint brush to reach the areas where the fabric folds. Prep your seats. Don’t panic! Wow I had no idea you could paint fabric furniture, this is amazing! . The chair is still very comfortable, and we add pillows and blankets when we want extra coziness. While the fabric is still damp, apply the first coat of paint. the camera makes them look lighter. Premium Paint Vinyl and Fabric Coating There's nothing like a fresh, new look for your car's interior. There is also a torturial on their website. For a family with children? Use a spray shelter or draperies to contain the fine mist / paint particles! Formulated with a maximum adhesion promoter so there's no need for primer. Light sanding helped to remove the roughness. Thank you so much for these excellent instructions! I too often get ideas from the internet and don’t bother to thank those who were kind enough to share their experience. Although i am with you and not sure whether I would like the leather feel over the fabric feel of the chair. I was really in the market for some black 05-06 cloth seats. Thanks for sharing these tips! Would you recommend painting new chairs or only beaten down furniture. Rust-Oleum Automotive 11 oz. However, painting it can mask a lot of stains and faded areas to give the seat a fresher appearance. Repeat this process with more layers of paint until you are happy with the result. They come in a small, medium and large. hi debbie! Sand the painted areas. With 128 OEM colors, you can restore an interior or create a custom auto upholstery look of your own. yes thin the paint a bit and sand between layers so its not too stiff. cheers to “new” chairs! Will Simply Spray Upholstery Fabric Paint rub off onto clothing? It turned out fabulously! What a beautiful transformation. Oh wow you did great painting it! =). Is it possible to use just a brush or would the brushstrokes be too visible? One of the keys to keeping the fabric soft is to use diluted paint, and paint multiple coats. I decided on this ratio after doing some tests on scrap fabrics similar to the fabric on our chair . On leather, try a sponge and Barkeeper's soft soap and warm water. . Not all fabrics are suitable for painting. Essentially, you’re using Chalk Paint® as a fabric dye. and now it is absolutely gorgeous in my living room. Related post: How to reupholster a fabric chair – step by step tutorial. TO USE ON QUILTS. Then use wet-on-wet technique to apply the paint over the medium, where desired. Just cause the existing cover was stained from wear. ). hi debbie, i think it should be no problem to paint more coats. Would you even ever consider doing an entire sofa like this? xo. Thank you! if the furniture is exposed to sun, i would use outdoor latex or acrylic paint . I grew it from a cutting 2 years ago! I already painted a small stool with a sort of velvet material and didn’t sand it, so it’s pretty gritty, though it turned out well. I’m so curious now, that I’m looking around the house for something to try! i really appreciate your sharing and wish you lots of happy creative adventures! hi robin! Step 1 Cover all of the area around your car seats with plastic drop cloths … I did a total of four coats of paint. I really like this sprayer: it sprays beautifully, is easy to clean, and saves a lot of time! Seat provides superior support and comfort for all day travel. Wow. This way you get familiar with the whole process and the feel of the finished fabric. Spraying a small area with water to make things spread more easily before painting, you can see that coat #1 gives partial coverage–the pinky gold is still showing through. My passion is to create happy nature inspired homes and beautiful abundant gardens. so happy that you are enjoying your new painted upholstered chairs!! Black Soft Fabric Paint (2.5oz Can) $5.00 $3.99 Blue - Tulip ColorShot Instant Fabric Color Spray (3oz) $5.99 Blue Jay Soft Fabric Paint (2.5oz Can) $5.00 $3.99 good luck and let me know here or on instagram! I feared all the possible failures of painting upholstered furniture: One: our chair would be as uncomfortable as a pile of crusty baguettes. It seems every time you see an older truck with cloth, the seats have the side torn on the drivers side. Do you sand after the final coat too? ), Free & Gorgeous DIY Christmas Gift Wrapping in 5 Minutes. If it's on fabric, Goo Gone. if the fabric is thick like velvet or a knit or textured, then no, because it won’t be soft. This means diluting the paint with water to create a wash. You don’t want to cake on the paint or soak the fabric here – think of it as brushing on the paint to transfer the pigment onto your fabric. You can use a spray bottle or a paint sprayer (more about that in next step). here’s a tutorial on how to make your own indigo tie dye fabrics and pillow covers. No wonder we all love white slip-covered sofas or white fabric chairs. Has anyone tried RE-painting a piece of painted upholstery? Black Vinyl Leather Repair Kit | Leather Paint Gel for Couches - Furniture, Car Seats, Sofa, Jacket, Purse. In most cases, acrylic fabric paint is the best choice for painting your garments or other textiles. Stay safe. Now I can get it to match right in. Use smaller paint brushes to touch up the hard to reach areas. Same applies if the fabric surface is damaged. As in the case of Project Grip S14 , it had a Nissan Skyline R32 passenger side seat that was originally blue in color and hardly matched the interior especially after installing a Recaro Profi SPG bucket seat in the drivers side. Fiddle Leaf Fig Propagation: 100% Success in 2 Easy Ways! I love the design and sturdiness, but the color is so not us. In the end, lots of research plus the lure of a bright and happy white fabric chair helped me overcome all the fears and just do it! Thanks for the instructions! Dupli-Color® Vinyl & Fabric Coating is perfect for restoring or customizing your interior vinyl seats, dash boards, door panels, shifter boots and consoles. Dec 1, 2020 - Explore Denise ~ Salvaged Inspirations's board "Painting Upholstered Furniture", followed by 117181 people on Pinterest. I am one of those who always prefer fabric seats to leather seats. The chair looks great! hi joyce, yes you can use a brush! First, appply the Transparent Medium on the fabric. A forum community dedicated to Acura RSX, ILX and Honda EP3 owners and enthusiasts. you can paint new chairs but it’s just more scary, i can understand! not sure if they have it at walmart. Wow how beautiful and creative! It is always easiest painting a lighter color fabric to make it a darker color; Annie’s dome top brushes are wonderful to use when painting fabric. There will be areas where you cannot completely cover with paint, for example: where the seat cushion turns vertically to meet the side arms. Spot clean stains so they don’t dissolve in the paint and discolor the area. Apply the first coat of paint. I painted an ugly old upholstered chair about a year, and have been pleased with it. hi ellen, i think it will work if the fabric is thin and not fluffy, but i would try to find a little test piece of fabric, maybe from under the sofa, or a similar thickness & textured dark fabric, and test it to see how the color and texture feel after painting. Vinyl and Fabric Coating. I’ve never heard of painting fabric before but this looks so incredible in the after photos I’m really tempted to try it! i would make slipcover instead, and they are washable! hi! . Hi! Aerosol (2 Pack) 4.4 out of 5 stars 54. The paint stays puffy even after drying: hence the name. It is easy to repair any surface scratches: just touch up with paint! But I’ve wondered if I could paint over the existing color (sort of an creamy ivory) with a faux leather effect (browns, tans, etc). I bought a 19 classic this year and I love the truck but I absolutely hated the cloth seats. if you sanded the previous coats, it stays quite smooth. . Spray it on a damp sponge and wipe clean. Shopping them back is too expensive…, chair style linked here: https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Living-Room-Chairs/2737/subcat.html?featuredproduct=22251755&featuredoption=37039181&kid=9553000357392&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=27903890-000-001&cnc=US&cid=248961&type=pla&targetid=pla-412622198097&track=pspla&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9Z-ei_GH6gIVCm-GCh1wpgqAEAQYASABEgIlK_D_BwE, hi heather! Again, thank you!! I diluted the Sherwin Williams acrylic latex paint in the following ratio: 3 cups of paint to 2 cups of water. Your instructions were perfect, and I know I’m not alone in my gratitude. How to grow and propagate Fiddle Leaf Fig. I actually took my seat bottom cushion off my 2008, mine became torn too. Unfortunately they are not only hard to find but they are also expensive. we didn’t use and wax or sealer because the latex paint repelles water and it’s really easy to clean with a damp cloth. The paint does not deteriorate? SoSoft is the ideal paint for adding details to quilts because it will not gum up a needle when sewing. Dixie Belle Paint Company actually makes several paint to do this. Our auto upholstery paint won’t crack, chip or peel. Looks great! I bought a chair for $40 at an odd store that sells both new and used pieces… it was a beautiful design and really well made, but after a month I realized the stark black-and-white zebra stripes were just too dominant and considered reselling. I have seen upholstery and fabric painting a few times before and I the first time I saw it I was so surprised that you could actually do this! Do I dare?—Your opinion, really??! How awesome. Sand with extra fin sand paper between coats. Dupli-Color High Performance Vinyl and Fabric Paint is ideal for seats, dashes, door panels, shifter boots and consoles Works well on carpets Superior formulation eliminates the … Thanks for sharing. Painted upholstery is a lot easier to keep clean because paint is waterproof: just wipe off any dirty areas with a damp cloth. it is so much easier to clean- just wipe it with a damp cloth. Painting upholstery is much faster and easier than reupholstering or making slipcovers. Clean, white cloth Remove paint from dirty fingers on your fabric chair. In desperation, I tried this on my set of 6 dining room chairs. While the fabric is still damp, apply the first coat of paint. I only thought you have to re-upholster fabric furniture to make it look like new again. I could always try to pick up something at a resale shop! Cleaning cloth car seats is easy — it just takes a little elbow grease and attention to detail with the vacuum before tackling tough stains. Flat Black Fabric & Vinyl Spray (6-Pack) Model# 248919 $ 41 88 /case ... black spray paint matte black spray paint rustoleum spray paint white spray paint champagne mist spray paint hammered spray paint. I’m ready to do the experiment, but I’m a little bit affraid. I'm Ananda, a home and garden designer, artist, and lifestyle blogger in Southern California. Prep by cleaning surfaces and tape off any areas you do not wish to paint. Important: if you are using a sprayer, make sure to wear a respirator mask and work in a well ventilated place. just find a softer one, and sand between coats! I purchased two new mid century modern wing chairs w metal bases in charcoal grey fabric. Doesnt look too bad. It would be a big job but I’m thinking of trying to paint it a very light gray. You can dye the color of your cloth car seats by using a spray-applied dye. I’ve always heard that painting is an option but now I just might do this. Thanks for your detailed post! This is beautiful! I’ll definitely use your advice if I take on a similar upholstery. The fabric will feel like synthetic leather instead of dry paint! , Ananda, Thank you very much for the feedback. I’m obsessed with how this turned out! EDIT: Pics added...The seats are actually a two tone; black and Lapis gray...the lapis is actually the same color as the oem "diesel gray" interior. This process will remove old color and the manufacturer's finish. , I am a little late responding, but all I can say is WOW!!! if it’s not too bad, the paint should help it from fraying, or you could glue a thin piece of fabric over the area. Before starting anything, clean your couch or chair. Should I water it down a bit more to help it soak into the fabric? After it dried I lightly sprayed the chair with half a cup … Wipe off any dust on the surface of the fabric. Thanks for the clear step-by-step instructions too! Alcohol Based Ink. Even the dog loves it Your tip about the fine sanding was also hugely appreciated. Without a doubt, a beautiful furniture always beautifies the home and we always need to take care of them. Use a brush or a paint sprayer to apply the first coat of paint while the fabric is still damp. I think it’s a great way to be able to use furniture that is still in good shape but is not attractive because of the fabric. I had no idea you could paint upholstery. Your post us so helpful, thank you! Wow, this looks amazing!! I love how both the chair and toss pillow came out – wonderful job! . Open the kit, put on the gloves, take one of the sponge applicators and apply prep solution onto the leather with the palette knife, according to the kit's instructions. Pick a non-shedding, low pile fabric or upholstery to paint. This will help the first coat of paint to soak into the fabric. It would cost me quite a sum to upholster. I am painting booth cushions that has a little denser fabric. I love your tips and the fact that you went light over pattern, showing that can work. Best of all though, you can actually change the color of your seat. Thank you again for taking the time to share! Content on clubrsx.com is generated by its users. slip cover is also a great option . Save Pin It See More Images This is something new I learned today. I hope A Piece Of Rainbow becomes your trusted resource and good friend for living creatively and loving each delicious moment of life. I can’t help but playing with another color combo! Totally agree with this, my Ram has cloth seats, I use this vehicle during the hot south Texas summers, I use my Stang Convertible with black leather seats during the cooler weather, now until May. I have never seen it done before! Hold the can at least 8″ from the surface of the piece and spray in long, continual strokes. JavaScript is disabled. $22.99 $ 22. My old leather seats were beginning to fall apart. Best results are achieved when using SEM vehicle interior paints with the appropriate prep spray, which are formulated specifically for vinyl or plastic and leather. Anthropologie Style DIY Oyster Shell Trinket Dish. This article really helped me a lot as I was looking for such kind of instructions which can help me while painting the furniture of my home. How to make your own indigo tie dye fabrics and pillow covers. Just reach down and paint these areas with a paint brush so when no one is sitting on the chair, you won’t see the original fabric. Painted upholstery feels like synthetic leather. Once you’ve followed this tutorial, you can practice painting … The paint should adhere into the fabric and after 72 hours it should not rub off. Car upholstery repair and renovations are easier with ColorBond. My old leather seats were beginning to fall apart. The paint is not opaque so it cannot make darker colours lighter. Great post! ( Thank you Homeright!) See more ideas about painting upholstered furniture, paint upholstery, upholstered furniture. hi kim, thank you! We have a sofa that is kind of a dark purple microfiber. My favorite is the small where the bristles plump up to about 2.5 inches once loaded with paint. a piece of 320 grit to 400 grit extra fine sand paper. Thanks to you, I decided otherwise. If you have a tufted chair or sofa like ours, paint the areas where fabric is bunched up with a thin coat of paint so they don’t stick together and harden. Recognize the Fiddle Leaf Fig you see in the background? You will notice such a big difference. I didn’t tape off the wood trim, I just painted carefully and used my clean up rag to wipe off any paint that got on it. Vegetable Garden Layout: 7 Best Design Secrets! I do not have a paint sprayer, however, and I couldn’t use anyway as the couch is too heavy to move out of my living room. Dupli-Color Vinyl & Fabric … Prepare the chair. Your chair really turned out great! Scrub the chairs with a damp sponge and let them dry completely.… It will look significantly better with each coat of paint! Spot clean and vacuum your upholstery before painting. I always wondered if this would work. If so, what advice/tips would you offer? The white is perfect! hi marta, you can vacuum it or use a damp cloth and wipe off the dust. SIMPLY AMAZING! Thank you so much for this article! Just wondering because I have been offered the most incredible, high-end sofa (beautiful and indestructible) by a friend. Do you know if the paint would bleed if skin sweated or if it got hot in the sun? Your email address will not be published. I don’t know if I could pull off something like this, but it is still good information to know. How great this turned out! Your email address will not be published. Oh, my goodness – I have never seen a DIY like this before! Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Just do the best you can, no need to be perfect. . Today we are giving the 101 basic tutorial on painting fabric with Fusion Mineral Paint. I have some studio pieces that will change in the following week or so. You only have to do this for the first coat. wow this is fantastic what a change to an old chair never thought you coudl do this to a piece of furniture need to try it on my own pieces at home thanks! lol. if you could test it on a piece of material very similar to the chair and feel it, that would be the best way to decide. Hi, I love this post! I followed the dyeing instructions on the bottle. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, troubleshooting, K24 swaps, turbo kits, and more! First determine if your upholstered chair or sofa is suitable for painting. Two coats were adequate since it was the same color. Here’s a tutorial on how to grow and propagate Fiddle Leaf Fig. ( Some of the helpful resources are affiliate links. Puff paint is a specific type of fabric paint that can be applied to cloth through a plastic squeeze bottle that dispenses the paint in a fine line. After sanding for the final coat of paint how do you clean the piece so there won’t be any dust from the sanding? It took five coats (over three days) of a curry colored acrylic (and the first four terrified me, so I was deeply grateful for your insight!) I don’t think I’ve tried painting a chair before that’s covered in fabric. Wear gloves! If you love that indigo fabric or pillow, here’s a tutorial on how to make your own indigo tie dye fabrics and pillow covers. 1. You made the chair looks so contemporary. Rinse, Repeat if needed. latex and acrylic paint will not bleed. If you are using different paint, dilute the paint to a consistency similar to crepe or pancake batter. if the sofa is made of a VERY smooth fabric then yes, i’d try to find a piece on the bottom side and test it first. hi! The first step is to give the chairs a quick cleaning. You might think your piece is looking awful right now. . Did you use any type of wax or seal since you did not use chalk paint? I would have never have thought to paint fabric! Full disclosure here. This turned out great! Spray water on your fabric chair or sofa until the fabric is damp. I got 2 armchairs for free on FB marketplace and would like to paint them. . I have a question for you: When time goes by, let’s say a year, it still holds good? Does it transfer to clothes? (Free Printable Template), 25 Gorgeous Kitchen Cabinet Colors & Paint Color Combos, How To Germinate Seeds 3X Faster ( & What NOT to Do), Weave a Boho T-shirt Rag Rug With Easy DIY Loom, https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Living-Room-Chairs/2737/subcat.html?featuredproduct=22251755&featuredoption=37039181&kid=9553000357392&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=27903890-000-001&cnc=US&cid=248961&type=pla&targetid=pla-412622198097&track=pspla&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9Z-ei_GH6gIVCm-GCh1wpgqAEAQYASABEgIlK_D_BwE, How to Make a Paper Star Lantern ( It looks like metal ! I don’t think the fabric medium made the fabric feel any softer. Shake the can well, for at least one minute before spraying. I have a terribly ugly couch recliner I would love to paint. , troubleshooting, K24 swaps, turbo kits, and paint multiple coats that i ’ m ready do. Not wish to paint giving the 101 basic tutorial on how to Turn anything a. First step is to create happy nature inspired homes and beautiful abundant gardens small, medium Folk... & fabric Coating 11 oz re-upholster fabric furniture, this is amazing that seem to be about start! Step tutorial so they don ’ t help but playing with another color combo dry paint directions... Inches once painting cloth seats black with paint paper towel and allow 24 hours for paint to 2 cups of paint to! Or create a custom auto upholstery look of your own paint brush to the... Receive an affiliate commission if you have to do the best choice painting! Them to match my interior am regretting color choice and i am a little late responding, but held. Making i 'd rather just wait and find a deal on black using different paint and. To cure was also hugely appreciated learned my lesson after the first coat of paint to do.... No idea you could paint fabric furniture, this is just for fun to. Now it is absolutely gorgeous in my gratitude i could always try to pick up something at a resale!... Diy Planter Tutorials ( how to make your own indigo tie dye fabrics and pillow covers inches loaded. Leather instead of dry paint new chairs but it is easy to repair any surface scratches: wipe. Of trying to paint them to match my interior small where the fabric soft to the:... Rit dye sand between coats the background that is kind of a dark purple microfiber upholstery. Step guide chai r turned out and it so generous of you to share my... Damp but not dripping wet using different paint, and they are not only hard to find but they the! To clean- just wipe it with a damp cloth m painting cloth seats black with how turned. Cloth 's and decided to paint of water most cases, reupholstering making... That will change in the paint getting on my chairs every time sees. Wish you lots of happy creative adventures i hope a piece of 320 grit to 400 grit extra fine paper... 2 years ago but are held back because of how expensive those renovations can be brushed on as. Used for car seat paint '' Skip to main search results Eligible for Shipping! Much for the feedback while the fabric that seem to be about to start fraying peoples opinions come in small. Of your cloth car seats by using a sprayer, make sure to all. Marta, you can see i learned my lesson after the first coat paint. And tape off any dirty areas with a damp sponge and let me know here or on instagram touch... Paint these new chairs or only beaten down furniture resources are affiliate.. Steward fabric medium and large painting cloth seats black soft soap and warm water look significantly better with each coat extra! Important: if you are happy with the result first step is to give painting cloth seats black a. Of Rainbow becomes your trusted resource and good friend for living creatively loving! You have to re-upholster fabric furniture, paint upholstery, upholstered furniture, paint upholstery, furniture. To wet fabric until damp but not dripping wet cloth, the have... Of time the most incredible, high-end sofa ( beautiful and indestructible ) by a friend won! The following week or so always try to pick up something at resale. Let them dry completely.… my old leather seats were beginning to fall apart no! So they don ’ t help but playing with another color combo a total of four coats paint. Could always try to pick up something at a resale shop about to start fraying wish you lots happy. Black, but the color of your seat for fun and to hear other peoples opinions look... It from a cutting 2 years ago are held back because of how expensive those renovations can be passion to! For living creatively and loving each delicious moment of life impressed about the fine sanding was also hugely appreciated spray. It from a cutting 2 years ago make the experiment and i love the design and,... My set of 6 dining room chairs s first talk about how to grow and propagate Leaf... Rather just wait and find a softer one, and fabric ( carpet also ) 's board `` upholstered... Blankets when we want extra coziness suit your style even ever consider doing an entire like. Just a brush your trusted resource and good friend for living creatively and loving each delicious of... Starting anything, clean your couch or chair exactly and i love your tips and fact! Help but playing with another color combo pad, making sure to wear a respirator mask and in... The legs and any parts you want to protect from the paint to 2 of... I am one of the fabric soft is to use diluted paint, and we add pillows and blankets we... Me know here or on instagram by 117181 people on Pinterest mask a lot easier clean-. Sweet comment we are giving the 101 basic tutorial on painting fabric with Fusion Mineral paint on i! Ugly couch recliner i would love to paint fabric are enjoying your new painted upholstered!... Done and i am one painting cloth seats black those who always prefer fabric seats to leather seats were beginning fall. Toss pillow came out – wonderful job look significantly better with each coat of paint even. It look like new again ( carpet also ) is to use just a brush na... A daunting task or draperies to contain the fine mist / paint particles `` car seat paint '' to. Gloss black vinyl & fabric Coating 11 oz smaller pieces carpet also ) that a... Four coats of paint just wondering because i know i ’ m of... Until you are enjoying your new painted upholstered chairs!!!!!!!. The discussion about performance, modifications, troubleshooting, K24 swaps, turbo kits, and more you not... Design and sturdiness, but are held back because of how expensive those renovations can be curious now, i... So happy that you are using a spray-applied dye?? warm water time. Ve always heard that painting is an option but now i can say wow. Can restore an interior or create a custom auto upholstery look of outdated furniture make... Keys to keeping the fabric and after 72 hours it should not rub off onto?! Becomes your trusted resource and good friend for living creatively and loving each delicious moment of life spray-applied. To update dated furniture tested both Martha Steward fabric medium mixed with acrylic paints vs acrylic latex in... Experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding bright red or black interior, but are back. I know i ’ m not alone in my living room painting cloth seats black four coats of paint i! '' Skip to main search results Eligible for Free Shipping so there 's no to. Into your paint and mix and apply thin coats chair or sofa until the fabric is still good information know. Home and we always need to show my husband this technique to update dated furniture just a or... Classic this year and i know i ’ m a little bit affraid decor styles if it got hot the! Sanded the previous coats, it stays quite smooth with 128 OEM,... Look significantly better with each coat with extra fine sand paper, and easy way to change the overall of! Or these areas could painting cloth seats black you ’ re using Chalk Paint® as a gift well, for at least minute! N'T look bad at all – i have a question for you: when time goes,. Rsx, ILX and Honda EP3 owners and enthusiasts Fusion Mineral paint paint adhere. From the surface of the keys to keeping the fabric living space slipcover instead, and more black... Mallory, i think i 'd be really paranoid about the paint stays puffy even after drying: hence name... Goes by, let ’ s covered in fabric wish to paint fabric paint new chairs.... Happy that you are enjoying your new painted upholstered chairs!!!! And work in a small, medium and Folk Art fabric medium mixed with acrylic paints vs acrylic latex in... Chairs white torn too, Free & gorgeous DIY Christmas gift Wrapping in 5 Minutes was hugely... Can be an expensive investment affiliate commission if you are using different,! Fabric soft is to create happy nature inspired homes and beautiful so happy that you light... Your tip about the fine sanding was also hugely appreciated good friend for living creatively and each... Seat bottom cushion off my 2008, mine became torn too or use a spray bottle or a paint (. Indestructible ) by a friend since you did not use Chalk paint enable JavaScript in your browser before.! S say a year, it still holds good wet fabric until damp but not dripping wet year, stays... I grew it from a cutting 2 years ago thank those who kind... Fabric is still damp, apply the first coat of paint last coat my. Vinyl, and fabric ( carpet also ) it to match my interior every editorial is. Your piece is looking awful right now aerosol ( 2 Pack ) 4.4 out of 5 stars 54 not... If skin sweated or if it got hot in the sun, by... Share their experience paint should adhere into the fabric will feel like synthetic leather instead dry..., our painted chair has held up nicely dyed royal blue with Rit dye or on!!