How to Paint a Wooden Glider

Updated on June 5, 2024

How to Paint a Wooden Glider. Use the HomeRight Finish Max Sprayer to easily paint your wooden glider to make it look new again!

When my kids were babies, we had a wooden glider rocking chair and ottoman in their rooms so I could rock and nurse them. It was one of my favorite places to sit with them when they were tiny.

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Thank you to HomeRight for providing me with a HomeRight paint sprayer.

How to Paint a Wooden Glider

This chair was in bad shape from being outside for a while. The cushions were in the worst shape – even more than the frame. I was able to create new cushions to replace the old ones.

Using a paint sprayer was an easy way to get a smooth finish and professional-looking results with little effort. When I was finished, it was the perfect piece of furniture for the front porch or even the living room.

Supplies:

• Phillips Screwdriver or Allen Wrench (depending on how your chair is put together)
• Flat Head Screwdriver (to remove staples)
• Sandpaper
• Wood Cleaner
• HomeRight Finish Max Sprayer
• Paint or Stain
• Upholstery Underlining
• Staple Gun

Take Apart the Glider Down to the Frame

I started by removing all the cushions from the chair. I removed the upholstery underlining—the thin fabric used under the chair cushion but over the springs.

It helps keep the chair cushions’ fabric from getting snagged on the springs. You want to be sure you remove all the staples, as well. Prying them off with a flat-head screwdriver works well for this step.

I also unscrewed the top cushion from the ottoman, leaving me with only the chair and ottoman frames when finished.

Sand and Clean the Glider

I didn’t have to do much sanding to my glider since it had been sitting outside for about two years before I tackled this process.

However, I did smooth out any rough edges using a sanding block and roughed up the surface a little to allow the new stain to adhere. Make sure to sand off any loose paint or stain before painting.

Use a damp cloth or tack cloth to remove any dust.

Once sanded, I cleaned the entire glider with a deck cleaner. This step may not be necessary for your glider, but I wanted to ensure the wood was clean and dirt-free since mine had been sitting outside.

Paint the Glider

Since I wanted this furniture outside, I opted for stain rather than paint. We live in northern Arizona, where the weather is pretty harsh. We get a lot of sun, wind, rain, and snow. I know stain holds up better to outdoor use than paint does.

Note: The process is the same whether you use paint or stain. If painting, I recommend spraying the entire rocker with a couple of coats of primer before painting for best results.

I chose Semi-Transparent Thompson’s WaterSeal in Honey Gold, which best matched the original wood color.

The HomeRight Finish Max Sprayer is ready to go right out of the box. Add your stain to the container, screw it onto the handle, and start spraying. Work in a well-ventilated area. I painted mine outside.

It helps to practice on a piece of cardboard before spraying the piece of furniture to ensure that the sprayer is set to the correct pattern.

I did two light coats of stain, following the instructions on my particular stain for dry time between coats. I allowed the chair to dry for 24 hours before the next step.

(Optional) Use Spray Paint

If you don’t have a paint sprayer, you can use spray paint instead. Follow the above steps to prep the glider, then do two to three light coats of paint. Thin, light coats provide a smooth finish.

Follow the instructions on the paint you are using to find out how long to wait between coats and how long to allow the paint to cure.

Replace Upholstery Underlining

As I stated earlier, my chair was pretty banged up. I opted to replace and not re-use the upholstery underlining the chair had previously, as it was in pretty bad shape. You can purchase the underlining from your local craft store.

I cut a piece to fit and stapled it in place on the chair seat area using my staple gun.

Then, I was able to add the new cushions I sewed. I will soon share a tutorial on how to make new cushions without a pattern!

I love how the glider looks so good again. It is now one of my favorite spots on the porch to sit outside to read a book or watch my kids play.

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• How to Reupholster Glider Cushions