Painting upholstery- has anyone does this and does it work?

[thenewaveragebear1983]

I have a 1980’s Ercol with excellent condition but very dated cushions. I have purchased upholstery fabric to cover it, I’m not an amateur sewer but I am not especially skilled, corners are tricky etc. I recently covered a cintique chair in the same fabric and it was very tough, the fire retardant coating means that a normal needle won’t go through and it was really hard to finish it by hand (I’d go as far as to say impossible. I ended up pushing the needles through with a piece of wood). So this one that was supposed to be in the same fabric is just not going to be easy. I’m now considering making slip covers, but they are a pita without a pattern and frankly, I’m losing motivation.

I’ve seen this article about painting fabric with dilute chalk paint, something I’d seen on various Pinterest, other videos, crafting blogs etc in the past. But does it work? Does it look shit? Will it withstand actually being used?

there is no scope to pay someone to do the covers for me, certainly not at the moment. The cushions are in excellent condition and the foam is also excellent. If it looks horrific I could always revert back to my original plan of covering them.

www.thisoldhouse.com/platform/amp/painting/22923973/how-to-paint-fabric-furniture

@Handsnotwands I’m intrigued about the varnish you are using, does it leave a ‘lacquered’ look? I have been looking at coat wax (like Barbour wax jacket wax) but again, not exactly sure how it will turn out.

I’ve now done 3 good coats of paint on mine, I have been using the sample sized pots from Valspar (235ml pots) and am halfway through my third. They look good, but they will heed to dry thoroughly now to really show up any lighter areas and it is taking such a long time to dry. I am desperately impatient with things like this as well, I want it NOW. I tried in a dry corner with the sandpaper and even 120grit paper just snagged the threads, so I don’t think sanding will work. It is taking on a nice leathery look, the colour is deep in the fibres not laid on top so I don’t think it will crack. My wrists hurt from the swirling/pressing motion. But they look good!

Looking forward to seeing photos!

A brief google suggested that actually i need 400 count sandpaper, like wet and dry paper, so I have ordered some.

So, here’s where I am now…. This is 3 good coats, and a light sand with 400 count paper. I highly recommend the sanding, it turns it from slightly crunchy painted fabric to beautifully smooth, almost leather like. My fabric is pattern with quite distinct textural differences; I imagine if you had uniform texture it would look very leather like. The sandpaper does remove some paint, I think I will need to do some finishing touches. I have attempted to wax a tiny corner with clear boot polish, it made no difference in appearance but it has turned it even softer. I will definitely buy some specific fabric wax.

I’m so pleased with it, ignore the messy bedroom behind!

Ooh, well done - that looks great!

Brilliant! Well done.

That looks really great @thenewaveragebear1983 Thanks for updating !

Lovely! What did you use?

@Delectable I got a swatch of my new sofa fabric and had it colour matched at Valspar. Lots of light layers and sand in between coats with very fine paper, then a coat of wax which i worked in with my hairdryer to really get it into the fabric.

Oh well done. I have a perfectly nice fairly new wingback chair which has faded horribly in the sun.I bought stretchy slipcovers and I hate them so much. Think I will try this.

what a gorgeous chair. It looks such a great quality piece. I hope you get lots of enjoyment out of it.