Welcome back to the world of spray paint! For those who’ve followed our home decor journey, it’s probably no surprise that this versatile tool is once again saving the day. When it comes to transforming dated elements into design-forward pieces, a can of spray paint remains my most predictable and dependable secret weapon.
For quite some time, a particular detail in our living room has been a minor source of visual discord: the legs of an old accent chair. In real life, these legs sported a rather jarring, almost aggressive shade of red, creating an unwelcome clash with our carefully curated interior palette. The desire to update them with an Oil Rubbed Bronze, or “ORB” (for those not yet fluent in our specific decorating shorthand), finish has been a lingering item on the DIY to-do list.
This design choice was particularly evident when compared to the sleek, dark ORB legs we meticulously added to our beloved sectional, affectionately known as Karl, which you can revisit here.
The red tone also failed to harmonize with other significant elements in the room. Overhead, our gray-washed beams lent a sophisticated, rustic touch, while the console table we custom-built for behind the sofa (seen fully accessorized here) showcased deeper, more brown-based wood tones. These elements together formed a cohesive, earthy aesthetic that the chair’s vibrant red legs simply disrupted. Looking ahead, we even envision refinishing the floors someday, likely in similar rich, brown hues as the console table. So, don’t let those current orangey-red floor undertones distract you from the vision – the chair legs were a step towards future harmony, not just present aesthetics.
With a clear vision in mind, it was time to address those errant chair legs and bring my ORB aspirations to life. The first step, naturally, involved acquiring the right tool for the job. I opted for a can of Rustoleum Universal Metallic spray paint in “Oil Rubbed Bronze.” This wasn’t a random choice; it’s the very same high-quality product we successfully used to achieve the deep bronze finish on Karl’s legs, a project documented here. Its proven performance and beautiful finish made it the ideal candidate for this chair. For those struggling to locate this specific spray paint in local stores, here’s a helpful affiliate link to the exact product on Amazon.
The preparation phase, though often overlooked, is paramount for any successful spray painting project. It took me a focused fifteen minutes to meticulously tape and bag the plush upholstered seat of the chair. I used two large black garbage bags, carefully cutting small holes for each leg to poke through. The key was to ensure a snug fit around the legs and then secure everything tightly with painter’s tape, creating an impenetrable barrier. This meticulous masking was crucial to guarantee that not even the slightest mist of spray paint would reach the upholstery, preserving its pristine condition. Furthermore, I paid close attention to taping just above where the legs met the seat, making sure the spray paint would cover all the way to the top of the wooden legs. This eliminated any chance of those “evil rings” of orange color remaining to taunt me near the seat, ensuring a complete and seamless transformation.
After a good fifteen minutes dedicated to bagging and taping, the actual spraying portion of the project was remarkably swift, taking only about five minutes to coat those “hot little legs.” One significant advantage with these particular chair legs was that no sanding was necessary. They weren’t sealed or glossy; rather, they possessed a dry and slightly chalky texture, making them perfectly primed and ready to accept the paint without any additional surface preparation. It’s almost comical how the meticulous prep work often consumes three times longer than the actual application, but that’s the reality of achieving a professional finish! And yes, for anyone wondering about my improvised workstation, the chair was resting upside down on a recycling bin. Call me MacGuyver MacGruber – the DIYer who can turn any household item into a functional tool. “Quick, hand me that recycling receptacle, some metallic spray paint, and two garbage bags! Hurry, Chloe, we’re running out of time!” (Somehow, this project always brings out my inner Jack Bauer, with an urgent sense of mission to conquer home decor challenges).
For anyone embarking on their own spray painting adventures, here are some essential tips to ensure a flawless finish and a safe process:
- **Invest in Quality Paint:** Always opt for the higher-quality $7+ options over the cheaper, often terrible $2 cans. Inferior paints can clog, spray unevenly, and chip easily. Brands like Rustoleum often offer superior trigger spray nozzles, which provide a fine, even mist and prevent paint from getting all over your fingers, making the application much smoother and more pleasant.
- **Maintain Constant Motion:** It’s absolutely crucial to keep the spray can moving at all times during application. Seriously, if your arm isn’t swaying, you risk uneven coverage, drips, and blotches. A steady, sweeping motion ensures a smooth, professional-looking coat.
- **Optimal Distance is Key:** Position the nozzle approximately 8-10 inches away from the surface you’re painting. Too close, and you’ll get heavy, drippy coats; too far, and the paint will dry before it reaches the surface, resulting in a gritty texture.
- **Aim for a Mist, Not a Flood:** The goal is to achieve a fine, consistent mist of paint, not a heavy, wet coating that runs. Multiple thin layers build up to a much more durable and attractive finish than a single thick one.
- **Embrace Multiple Thin Coats:** Three thin and even coats will always yield a superior result compared to one thick, drippy application. Allow adequate drying time between coats as recommended on the can, ensuring each layer adheres properly and cures smoothly.
- **Prioritize Safety and Ventilation:** Remember that conventional spray paints are not VOC-free. Always apply them outdoors or in a very well-ventilated area, and wear a high-quality respirator mask to protect yourself from fumes. Additionally, allow the painted item to fully cure outside for as long as the can recommends (typically 24 hours). For an added measure of safety and to minimize off-gassing indoors, we often double that recommended curing time.
- **Consider Sealing for Indoor Use:** To further limit off-gassing once you bring your newly painted item inside, consider applying two thin coats of Safecoat Acrylacq. This product is specifically designed to seal paint, is low-VOC, and non-toxic, providing an extra layer of peace of mind for furniture that will reside in your home.
Ah, the transformation is truly remarkable. The chair looks so much better now.
To spare your poor weary fingers from the arduous task of scrolling back to the top of the page, here’s that before image once again, for a dramatic side-by-side comparison:
Now, those “gams” – the legs of the chair – truly blend seamlessly into the room’s aesthetic, offering a subtle gleam thanks to the quiet metallic finish of the Oil Rubbed Bronze. This integration is precisely what we aimed for. While I may have playfully called those legs “hot” before, they’re certainly not what we hope everyone who enters the room will focus on. It’s akin to how I politely hope others might overlook my blindingly white mom legs during summer – some things are better left as background elements! Instead, I much prefer to leave the “scene-stealing” to the more intentional focal points: perhaps those pretty silver lamps (mixed metals, anyone? Yes, please!), or the elegant flow of the curtains, or the grandeur of The Karl sectional. And, of course, there’s always The Bean, our furry family member, who naturally commands attention. Essentially, anything in the room but the chair legs!
Ultimately, our long-term vision includes eventually trading this chair for something a bit more unique and special – perhaps a thrift store upholstered armchair with charming turned legs or elegant castors. However, for the immediate future, a mere $7 spray paint upgrade has unequivocally done the trick, delivering an impressive transformation for a minimal investment. In fact, it was technically only $3.50, considering I still have half a can of that magical ORB spray paint remaining, ready to tackle another project. And trust me, I will. Beware, all other objects in the house! I will pull this car over and ORB you into submission to our evolving home aesthetic!