How to Color Your Rattan Furniture

Place a tarp on the floor to protect it from old paint chips and oil-based paint.

Remove any peeling paint with a stiff brush. Brush with enough force to lift away the paint, but not so hard as to scratch or damage the rattan. Sand rough spots with medium-grit sandpaper.

Remove dust and paint chips with hand-held vacuum. Wipe any remaining debris from cracks and crevices with a clean cloth.

Put on your latex gloves. Prime the furniture with a coat of oil-base wood primer. Allow the primer to dry, then apply another coat. Painting the furniture with a spray can product is quicker, but you use more product – and make more of a mess – because of the furniture's open weave. Save the spray can for nooks and crannies later.

Turn the furniture upside down. Paint the legs of each piece with oil-based paint. Allow the paint to dry, then apply a second coat. When the second coat is dry, turn the furniture upright on its legs and apply an even coat to the table top, chair back, arms and seat. Spot-apply matching spray paint on small, hard-to-reach areas as needed. Allow to dry fully.

Apply a coat of clear varnish or shellac to the painted rattan. Allow several days for the furniture to dry before use.