Fabric Spray Paint – Questions and Answers
The response to my post about this chair has been kind of crazy, with more visits than any of my other posts so far. Pretty exciting for me – so thanks!
After a couple hundred questions, I’ve tried to answer the ones that have re-occured the most on this post.
Fabric Spray Paint – after
Please Note: The above picture is not the finished chair. Yesterday I sanded off the black spray paint on the legs, so it’s a hot mess right now. This pic was taken before I put the additional coat of fabric paint on, so there are still a few green areas visible. That’s not the case now, and as soon as I get it all done, I’ll post finished pics.
There have been lots of questions about the fabric paint I used on this chair, so I want to answer them as best I can. Here goes!
1. What did you use? Tulip Fabric Spray Paint in Dark Teal.
2. Does it feel stiff? No, it pretty much feels the way it did before I painted it. However, the fabric I used it on wasn’t soft to begin with. If I had to guess about what the fabric is, I’d say some kind of polyester blend. I don’t know how it will react to other kinds of fabric. I’m trying it today on cotton. I’ll update this post when I find out.
3. Does it rub off? No, not yet anyway. I have sat on it many times now and not a tiny bit of color has transferred. Today I will try to see if it rubs off if you sit on it while wet. (I’m assuming people are asking this because they want to use it on pool/outside furniture?) It says on the bottle that you can wash it after 72 hours, provided that you turn the garment inside out. Obviously, I won’t be sticking the chair in the washing machine, so I’m going to do the next best thing… a damp towel.
4. How many bottles did this take? It took me five bottles. I had a bunch of nooks and crannies to do, so I used almost a whole bottle just getting into the tufting. Repeatedly. The stain sets into the fabric, so it required quite a few coats.
5. How much does it cost? I bought it at both Michaels and Jo-Ann Fabrics. It was $6.79 at Michael’s and $6.99 at Jo-Ann’s. But this week it was on sale at Jo-Ann’s for 25% off, so I paid just under $5 for it. I thought it was kind of expensive given that it only was a few ounces, but when I think of what the cost of re-upholstering it would have been, it’s pretty cheap.
Just a few of my own tips for this project.
- Be sure to have a paint brush handy. The spray doesn’t come out like your typical spray paint. It’s not an aerosol. So, it will just be a big circle of paint, plopped on the fabric. Use the brush to spread it out and work it into the nooks and crannies. It’s also not sticky or tacky, and takes about twenty minutes to dry, so it’s super easy to spread and manipulate.
- It will stain your hands (and your face – ugh), so use gloves. And be sure to use a drop cloth, because it will stain your floors. My driveway is now teal-ish in the spot I did this in. Oops! It blends nicely with all the black/blue/gray overspray from my other projects.
- Depending on what you are covering, plan on about four coats to uniformly color your fabric.
- The bottle says that it works best on covering over white or light colors. This is true, but it did do a good job covering light/medium green.
If you do this project, I would love it if you came back to share your results!
Thanks so much for stopping by – be sure to come back!
Eliesa
Rebecca says
I just came back from Jo-Ann’s. The Tulip brand of fabric spray paint didn’t really have any colors that I wanted for my project, so instead I went for a different brand, Simply Spray. They had more colors to choose from… I’m planning on painting my chair later today/tomorrow, so I’ll let you know if the product is comparable! Also, it was $2 cheaper than Tulip, with the 25% discount too, AND a store coupon on top!
A Pinterest Addict says
I saw Simply Spray there too, but they didn’t have it in teal. I have watched the videos online, and it looks super easy! Please let me know if it works as good as it looks! I have a few more projects that I would love to try it on. Thanks!!
Arika Moses-Jordan says
Just wondering if you tried the Simple Spray yet and if it worked or not? I’m looking to change my purprle chair to red and I can’t find tulip paint in that color.
A Pinterest Addict says
Hi Arika! I have not tried Simply Spray yet, but Kristi from Hyphen Interiors just did. I have some Tulip paint in red, so maybe you can buy it online if you can’t find it locally.
Nancy says
since you are brushing it on anyway could you use regular fabric paint? (as in not the spray version)
A Pinterest Addict says
Hi Nancy! Yes, you would think, right? When I bought the spray, I didn’t know I was going to have to brush it in. I was looking for an alternative to the fabric medium + paint that made my other chairs scratchy. I haven’t tried any of the other kinds of fabric paint yet, but I’ll get to them. There’s always another chair that needs some lovin’! 🙂
realfoodforless says
Thanks for sharing this project! I have always wanted to do some furniture restoration.
Victoria says
My mom is wanting to get rid of a GREAT chair, but I haven’t claimed it yet because the fabric absolutely does not go with my decor. This is a great idea to make that chair mine!! I’ll let you know how it turns out!
A Pinterest Addict says
I’d love to see them! Checked out your blog and I love it!
ddmeadows says
I have a chair of my dad’s that I just love, but it needs new fabric. I have upholstered before with dining chairs. I have never done such a big project. Now I won’t have to because I can just use the fabric paint!
Thanks so much for these instructions.
A Pinterest Addict says
Hope it works well for you, too. Let me know if you have any questions. By the way, thanks for the comment – they seriously make my day!
theycallmedomesticate says
Hi Eliesa, I remember seeing the original post on this chair when you wrote it, and using this paint has been on my to-do list ever since! I am hoping to do it on an upholstered headboard next week. I’ll let you know how it goes.
So, I was at Haven last week, too, and am bummed we didn’t meet! I’m also in the process of switching to WordPress. My blog to-do list is a mile long! Anyway, thanks for the inspiration!
cate
A Pinterest Addict says
Good luck with your move! WordPress is great, you will love it!
I have a partially upholstered headboard that needs be updated to match our colors, never even crossed my mind to try this on there… now, you’ve got me thinking!
Amber says
do you think this paint would work on an old lazboy?
A Pinterest Addict says
It depends on the fabric, and what color it is now, and what color you want to change it to…
Teresa says
I would see if you can find a swatch of fabric from the chair to use as a sample. Maybe under the chair, if it has flaps or an old sample you might have. If not … maybe you can turn the chair vet to try a spot on the bottom of the chair. Just a tiny spot will do to see if it takes the color and how the shade takes to your chair color. I hope this helps!
Teresa
Catherine says
Looks like I’m a little late in the game, seeing as how you did this last year! But omg, AMAZING!!! Cannot wait to try it 🙂
Amanda says
LOVE this!! I love the teal & black… I will be on the hunt for a chair & getting busy painting- Thanks for sharing!!
Emily says
Loved your posts and pictures of using the Tulip Fabric Spray (Dark Teal)!! I just found myself 2 used chairs that I’d planned to reupholster but I like this technique (and price tag) much better! You don’t happen to live in Canada by any chance? I’ve been trying to find the paint you used online but it’s not looking good (in Canada anyhow). If you or anyone else may know of a resource for buying this in Canada, please let me know @ emily_frenette@hotmail.com
A Pinterest Addict says
I don’t live in Canada, sorry! Can you buy it online? I know we have it on Amazon here…
sweetpapertreats says
I found this via Pinterest and I’m so glad i did! I have an old chair that I found somewhere for ridiculously cheap. It’s a cute old chair, and very comfortable, but it’s an ugly shade of yellow. I was hoping I’d someday get around to figuring out how to reupholster it, but if I’m honest, that wasn’t realistically ever gonna happen. I am SO trying this!! Thank you so much! Now I know what to do with my cute old ugly chair!
Tara Herring says
By chance, did your chair have any stains and if so did the fabric paint cover them. I have a chair that I have been dying to do something with and it is stained though. I don’t want to waste even some $60 to find out it won’t cover the stains.
Thanks!
Diane says
Same thing I wanted to know… Also can it be used on leather?
A Pinterest Addict says
I would not use this on leather. There are products out there that are specially made for leather. Check them out instead 🙂
Leslie A. Ford says
What about faux suede? Would it work you think? I’m kind of not bothered if it does n’t. I’ve got a cottonish “textile” backpack that has faux suede on the bottom and edges the straps… I just wondered if you knew if it would peel or rub off?
A Pinterest Addict says
I have never used it on faux suede, but it doesn’t rub off on regular fabric once it’s dried. In fact, anything I’ve tried it on, it doesn’t rub off. I’ve also had good luck with chalky paint, like Amy Howard at Home. They have it at Ace Hardware. Good luck! Let me know if you try it on the faux suede 🙂
julianne1960 says
Hey, I didn’t notice anyone who had used the Simply spray. I did! I too, had button tufted chairs that were the wrong color for my decor. I saw the simply spray on tv, so I bought it, and like you, I really underestimated how much paint it would take. I was pleased with the Simply Spray being aerosol. The trouble I had (besides the price about $12 per can) was that the burgundy paint looked fuchsia on my chairs. I believe it’s because there’s so much synthetic material that didn’t soak up the color so much. I saw on pinterest something that I will be trying for my next project. They suggested using minwax wood stain. It comes in all sorts of colors, and I’m really excited to try it, cause it will be much cheaper. I’m thinking of using a Mister that is a spray can that works like aerosol, but you fill it and pump it full of air.
Heather L says
Does it cover patterned fabric well?
Kristi Jones says
You’re pretty amazing for keeping up with this thread for over a year! I got the answer I was looking for about rubbing off after months of regular use. I was just about to buy Simply Spray, but it’s not exactly the blue I wanted. I wanted teal. Hooray! Thank you for the inspiration!
Kristi Jones says
….and shoot. Teal is discontinued
Sarah says
I have a red swayed chair that has water marks on it. I love the red do you think if i got this in red it would cover the dark marks baby drool left behind?
Heidi D. says
Not to give you more projects, but wouldn’t it look amazing if you could use this paint for an ombre effect? I would love to try that, but I don’t have any furniture that could be painted (and don’t have any money to get some). Just an idea 🙂
Peggy says
Is the spray waterproof – Ok to use on outdoor furniture?
A Pinterest Addict says
I would not use it on outdoor furniture, but then I’ve never tried it. If you did use it on out door pieces, you might want to use Thompson’s Fabric Seal spray on it to waterproof it.
Gena says
U could top coat it with Never Wet waterproofing spray. I’ve used it and it is as amazing as it appears on their commercials. I sprayed my daughters suede Uggs, they repelled water, mud, salt, everything a Minnesota winter could dish out.
Julia says
has anyone tried it on a multi-colored fabric with a slight sheen?
Krista Quintrell says
So I am wondering..I have a footstool that is off white..with a few spots. Someone threw it away..and nothing other than the few spots is wrong with it..Do you think a dark enough paint would cover??
Luisa says
After using the tulip spray on an indoor furniture piece, can you use the Thompsons to water proof it for indoor protection of spills?
A Pinterest Addict says
I would think so. I haven’t tried it myself, but it sounds like a good idea.
Stephanie says
Does it cover patterns?
A Pinterest Addict says
I have used it on a patterned fabric, and while it covered the color of the pattern, I could still make out the shapes of the flowers.
cecilia says
Has any one ever tried painting or staining leather ????? Need help, have a BLACK leather/maybe synthetic couch that I need to change to a brown. Can NOT afford to buy new couch. Thanks.
A Pinterest Addict says
I know you can dye leather, but I don’t know if you can take it from black to brown. If you do it, let me know how it turns out.
Lori says
Really late to this but is it still looking good and what happened when you came in from the rain and plopped down on it? Did your clothes turn teal?
A Pinterest Addict says
Still looks great, and no, it didn’t rub off at all. (Once it’s set/dry)
Petuniasgran says
I read this thinking the spray you used would be easier than brush on paint but if you have to brush it on anyway I’ll stick with what I recently discovered and just used on a fabric chair….Annie Sloan chalk paint. My chair is very similar to yours except the back is smooth upholstery rather than tufted…it started out as a dark green chintz and I painted it off white (I believe the color is Annie Sloan Old White) Went on extremely easy and after a quick sanding with a foam sanding block and a bit of Annie Sloan clear soft wax the fabric is soft and smooth and feels like glove leather. You don’t have to wax if you don’t want but since it is an off white I figured it would give added protection to keep it clean.
Vonda L Tanner says
I love it! I am going to try this, I have an large chair every one loves, it has large heavy weave how would the spray work on something like that? I think it may be better to spray, but not sure want do you think?
V Tanner
A Pinterest Addict says
It depends on the fabric, and what color you are trying to cover. I used both the spray and a paint brush to work the color into the crevices.
Colette says
This is a question actually. Has anyone tried the paint on leather as in shoes? And how can I ask the manufacturer or Tulip? I need to spray black shoes grey or silver for mother of the groom grey dress. I have purchased Color Shot Instant Fabric Color in Pewter Shimmer. Thank you.
Kate says
Hi there! Several years later and I’m commenting on this. I have a canvas couch in blue that’s I’d like to paint navy…do you think this paint would work well? I know it would be A LOT. Of paint to cover everything.
A Pinterest Addict says
I would have to say that there are better options for large pieces of furniture. I had to use quite a few bottles just for this chair, and they are about $6 each. Amy Howard Paints can be used to paint fabric, and it goes a long further. For my next project like this, that’s what I’m going to use.
Terry Clark says
Been meaning to paint a favorite rocker that I’ve had forever. spilled black shoe polish on it years ago and when removing it some color was removed from original apricot colored fabric. I am really interested in the Amy Howard paints that you mentioned. What type of paint is it and where can I get it? My rocker has tufted back too. I really don’t mind using brush if that works better. I had originally planned on using an acrylic paint with the fabric medium but was concerned about “crunchiness”. Since my chair has a lot more fabric than yours I would like to keep cost down as much as possible. Do you have to add fabric medium to Amy Howard Paints?
A Pinterest Addict says
I think you just have to water it down slightly. Here’s a link to a video she did about using her paint on upholstery, and then stenciled it too. I can’t wait to try this myself!
A Pinterest Addict says
Oops! No link! https://youtu.be/R_MhoALXBbw
Jessica says
Hi I was wondering could I use it on pants. Like the black spray can I use it on my faded black pants.
A Pinterest Addict says
Yes, it is made for use on fabric of all kinds.
Cathy Knowles says
1st a description of our fabric sofa purchased from Havertys furniture store. From the tag on the sofa, we are supplied with it’s composition. Body is belgium natural, spring bland down sofa. 2nd the problem is red wine stains we attempted with fabric cleaner that turned stains from red to an aweful yellow stain. 3d we cannot, through on-line research, find a solution to “cover” the stain. Removing it may be impossible because it is set in for about 8 or so months now. Can you make any suggestions. We thought about taking the matching pillow to match up the paint color but do not know where to take it.
Cathy Cornell says
Hello Elissa,
I just purchased Tulip Color Shot, and the same color you choose. My daughter has two chairs that have been the victim of her four children. She was going to get rid of them, so I suggested she paint them. She thought that was a great idea, so off to Michaels we went. Thank you for yiu input, it answered all of our questions and concerns. I hope to send you before and after pics.
Cathy
Lynn says
I have a chair and a “fainting couch”. The fabric is patterned and hideous, but the legs are cool and the furniture is really well made and sturdy. Besides hideous the fabric is a dark maroon. So, my question is, do you think I could just paint it the color I want….some kind of light blue….first? Or, should I paint it white first or some lighter color (beige, maybe) to be like a primer? I am just wondering if the dark maroon would be a problem? I think I am going to paint the legs white. (I am going for a coastal look). Anyway, great post, thanks for answering the questions. It is going to be my next “big” project.
A Pinterest Addict says
I don’t know if a light color of the tulip fabric spray paint would cover a dark color… have you thought about using Amy Howard chalky paint? That covers really well.