Painting wooden chairs with all those spindles can be very time consuming and the quickest way to get the job done is with a paint sprayer. BUT if you are an apartment dweller or your only option is to paint indoors then today I'm sharing three tips for an easy way to paint chair spindles when you can't spray. Also included in this tutorial is what to do when sanding isn't an option either.

Easy Way To Paint Chair Spindles Without A Sprayer

...and what to do when you encounter a challenging chair like the one with peeling and scratched paint plus a glossy finish.


This is the same chair after the makeover using the techniques I'll be sharing in this tutorial.


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Three Tips For Painting Chair Spindles Without A Paint Sprayer

It's all about using the right brush, controlling the paint, and the brush stroke direction. Say what?

Tip 1 For Painting Chair Spindles

What type of brush you use makes a BIG difference. A round synthetic paintbrush like the one pictured below is a game-changer. I'm not trying to sell you paintbrushes here, just sharing how when I switched to using this brush, it rocked my spindle painting world! The silky fine bristles glide over the spindles with uniform coverage and leave no brush strokes behind.

Tip 2 For Painting Chair Spindles

The next thing that makes all the difference when painting spindles is thin coats. Less paint is more and moving the paint over the spindles before redipping the brush. Start with a damp (not soaked) brush because it helps the paint glide over those spindles. I mist my round brush with a misting spray bottle first before dipping it into the paint and I spray it again before redipping the brush. It helps both thin and moves the paint over the spindles, getting more coverage per brush stroke.

Thin coats of paint eliminate the build-up of paint in the tight ridges and help prevent dreaded paint drips. In the photo below you can see the chair after the first thin coat of paint.

Tip 3 For Painting Chair Spindles

Move the brush from side-to-side rather than in up and down motions. Seriously, it makes all the difference in eliminating brush strokes plus prevents the paint from building up in the ridges.

The Wooden Chair Makeover Using This Technique

Here you can see the painted chair after using the tips above. It was painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in the color Old Violet, a pretty cornflower blue. I always lightly sand between coats with 220-grit sandpaper for a smooth finish.


The photo below is after the chair was protected with a clear matte topcoat, which we'll discuss further down in this post.

What To Do When Sanding Wood Furniture Indoors Isn't An Option

Many chalk paint brands say their paint doesn't require sanding but I ALWAYS err on the side of caution by going over the piece lightly with a sanding pad first. It just gives the paint that extra bite for a lasting finish.

BUT having said that there are a few situations where sanding first is not an option:

• Possibility it could have been previously painted with lead-based paint.
• Requires a dust-free zone when painting indoors.
• Has a glossy, lacquered, or melamine finish.
• Wood is mahogany or cherry and opening the pores guarantees paint bleed when painting white or a light color. 

In these cases always prime the furniture instead. I've tried several primers over the years and this is my go-to Primer.


This particular old chair was made in the former Yugoslavia. It had been painted a glossy white that was chipping in some areas. Because I had no idea whether it had been painted with lead-based paint, I was not taking the chance by sanding the chair.

What To Do When There Is Paint Resist

It's important before you prime that you give the furniture a good clean to remove any grease, grime, and furniture wax build-up. One part vinegar to two parts water with a drop of Dawn dish soap is my most used method for cleaning the furniture but Simple Green or a degreaser also works well.

But like humans, some furniture can be more stubborn than others and such was the case with this chair. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out why after priming first, the paint was resisting in some areas. I knew it wasn't the paint because I've used this can of Old Violet chalk paint on the Vintage Farmhouse Cupboard and Art Deco Waterfall Sideboard.

When cleaning the chair I found candle wax drips in some areas and I removed the wax with a razor blade scraper. Obviously, that wasn't enough because the ever so slight wax residue left behind caused the paint to resist in those areas.

If you ever come across this problem where paint resists in some areas, simply brush more primer over the paint and that should do the trick. It worked for my chair.

How To Protect The Paint Finish On Wooden Chairs 

Kitchen chairs receive a lot of wear and tear, prone to spills, and get wiped often and so I recommend protecting the paint with a durable water-repellent top coat. Gator Hide is my go-to clear finish for chairs, tabletops, and children's furniture. I also love it because it provides a beautiful matte finish over chalk paint.


Once the chalk paint is completely dry, apply three coats of the topcoat about two hours between each coat. It can be brushed on with the same round paintbrush used to paint the chair or applied with a sponge applicator.

I should mention that the topcoat should cure for at least 48-hours before using the chair.


I hope you found these tips helpful. If you have any questions about this furniture painting tutorial, please leave them in the comment section below or the Contact Me tab at the top. I love hearing from you!

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