These might just look like a regular set of thrifted dining chairs, but for me, they were a chance at redemption. Here’s my flawless black painted chairs, a makeover featuring my secret method with no streaks!

If you’re looking to upgrade your dining space, learn how to make sleek and durable painted chairs, all on a budget, here. You can also check out more of my favorite black painted furniture ideas here for lots of tips and inspiration. Let’s get started!

A wooden dining table with three chairs in a garage

About 10 years ago, I painted my first set of dining chairs. At the time, I thought I was doing a great job. I picked a pretty paint color, grabbed a brush, and went for it. But within weeks, the paint started to chip. Every bump or scratch took another chunk off. And it only got worse with time.

I lived with these chairs for years. And every time I sat down at the table, I was reminded of the mistake I made. The prep wasn’t right. The products weren’t right. And the finish just didn’t hold up. And it was so embarrassing when people came over and saw all the scratches and chips, especially because I paint furniture. And honestly, it drove me nuts.

So, when I found this new set of dining chairs, I knew I had to do it differently this time. I wanted chairs that looked high end, like something out of a furniture store, but without the big price tag.

And I wanted them to hold up for years through family dinners, kids climbing on them, and all of the daily use. This time, I was determined to do everything I could to make sure they wouldn’t chip, scratch, or look DIY. I wanted a flawless, professional finish.

Supplies Used for Flawless Black Painted Chairs

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Furniture Cleaner/Degreaser
Orbital Sander
Foam Pad
Shop Vacuum
Tack Cloth
Clear Shellac
Black AquaLock Primer
Paint Filters
Paint Sprayer
Respirator
SurfPrep Foam Pad (Use code RAY10 to get 10% off your order)
Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Paint in Caviar

Cleaning Thrifted Furniture

The first step was tackling the grime. These were thrifted chairs. And let’s be real, you never know where they have been. Food, grease, sticky messes from years of use. It all has to go before you can even think about painting.

Person cleaning a wooden chair outdoors with a gray rag

My husband, Taylor, cleaned them thoroughly with a degreasing cleaner, scrubbing into the nooks and crannies. I have learned that just skipping this step means your paint is clinging to dirt instead of wood and it never lasts. Check out my guide on how to clean furniture before painting here.

How to Sand a Chair

Then we sanded it. Taylor used our beginner friendly DeWalt orbital sander. But here’s the trick that makes sanding chairs and curves so much easier. We added a foam pad between the sandpaper and the sander.

Chairs are full of curves, spindles, and details, and a regular sanding pad just doesn’t get into those spots. So you have to sand them by hand. This foam pad flexes and bends with the surface, so you can sand curves evenly.

A person uses a round electric sander on chair curves

Without it, we would be hand sanding forever. So, this foam pad is a game changer. Learn more about how to sand curved surfaces with these pads here.

After sanding, we vacuumed up the dust and wiped everything down with a tack cloth. The chairs felt different already! Smooth, clean, and ready for the power of primer.

Priming Chairs Before Painting

Now, this is where I refused to repeat one of my mistakes. Back on those first chairs, I skipped primer completely. Big mistake. Primer is what makes paint actually stick, especially on furniture that’s going to be used every single day.

A hand sprays clear shellac onto a chair frame

So, this time I went with the clear shellac first. We sprayed it on and let it dry overnight to seal in any stains that might come through. Shellac not only helps the paint stick, but it also blocks stains and tannins that can bleed through the paint, making the paint job look dirty.

I didn’t want any surprises to show up under the black paint later. Learn more about how to stop stains from coming through paint in this post.

Once that dried, I layered on another primer and this one in black. I sprayed it on as well for a flawless, smooth finish. This Black AquaLock Primer provides an excellent base coat for uniform coverage, maximum durability, and yeah, it’s black.

A hand uses a paint sprayer to apply black primer on chair

So, if and when paint chips in the future, I won’t have to look at a stark white primer under the chip or the scratch.

And I can’t help myself. I need a smooth finish on my furniture. So, we gave it a quick sanding with foam pads to smooth it down, but not sand through the primer. And this is when I started getting really excited because I could tell how much better this was going to turn out than my old chairs.

Now, if you’ve ever struggled with paint chipping or peeling, the biggest change for me came when I nailed down my prep process.

Not all furniture is made the same, and if you prep everything the same, you will end up with big problems you have to fix. This post, how to prepare furniture for painting takes you through the exact prep steps I use before painting each type of furniture, so you can stop second guessing and start painting with confidence.

How to Paint Furniture Without Streaks

Now, let’s talk about paint. Black paint can be brutal if you are not careful. Every brush stroke shows. Every streak stands out. I did not want these to look like a quick DIY project. I wanted them to look like factory finished chairs.

Person pouring black paint through a filter into a sprayer container

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That’s why I chose this paint from Sherwin Williams in the color Caviar. It’s made for cabinets, trim, and furniture, so it’s durable. It self levels beautifully, and it doesn’t even need a topcoat. That’s huge because not needing an extra step while still getting durability is a big win. If it’s your first time hearing about it, check out my Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel review here to learn about it.

Now, if I had brushed this paint on, the results would have been completely different. Brushed black paint always shows brush strokes or puddles on the edges, especially on something with lots of slats and spindles, such as dining chairs. Here are the most common paint brush mistakes and how you can avoid them.

But spraying it makes it smooth, streak free, and professional looking. On the other hand, if you’re totally against spraying, this paint is one of the very best out there for a smooth, brushed on finish since it levels out while it dries.

You’ll still see some brush marks and probably have some small puddles on the edges even if you’re really careful, but it’s better than most other paints out there. Here’s our spray paint vs brush paint furniture comparison to help you decide between the two methods.

Vonforn Paint Sprayer

Paint Sprayer Cup Liners

Paint Filters

Spray Painting Dining Room Chairs Black

I used my cheap beginner sprayer, which is one of my favorite sprayers because it’s affordable. The Vonforn sprayer comes with everything you need to get started and sprays beautifully without a lot of fuss. I listed it as one of the best paint sprayers for beginners here!

A person wearing a respirator spray paints black chairs in a protected workspace.

It will even spray thick paint without the need to thin it out. Then I sprayed the paint on in thin, even coats. Thin coats are key. They dry faster, don’t drip, and build up beautifully. Two coats were all it took, and these chairs were perfect.

And here’s the part that blows my mind every time. Spraying is so much faster than brushing. If I had tried brushing these chairs, it would have taken me five times as long, and the finish would not have been flawless.

With the sprayer, the paint reached into every curve and spindle quickly and efficiently. What used to be the hardest kind of project is actually simple and fun. Here’s more on the fastest way to paint grooves and details so you can finish your DIY projects in no time!

And if you’re ready to really level up, my furniture painting course goes way beyond a single project. I show you my entire system for painting furniture from start to finish and getting a flawless result every time.

If you’ve ever been frustrated with brush marks, peeling paint, or just not knowing what to do next, this spray painting course is going to change the way you paint furniture.

Spraying Doesn’t Have to Be Scary!

If sprayers have ever intimidated you, this class changes everything. Learn how to spray furniture confidently and save hours compared to brushing, without streaks, drips, or stress.

Reupholstering Chair Seats

While the paint cured, I turned my attention to the seats. We tore off the old purple floral fabric, which was not my style and didn’t match our home, and then upholstered them with faux leather that ties perfectly with our space.

Person using a staple gun to attach leather to chair seat

This small change made the whole set feel fresh and modern. Learn how to paint fabric with chalk paint here if you want to do this instead.

Watch the full makeover on our YouTube video below:

When I finally put everything back together, I could not stop staring. Oh, wow. This looks so good. It matches the cabinets. The tan matches the couch. Oh, this looks so much better.

I have been waiting for like 2 years to fix this up and actually make it match. And this looks so good now. And I saved hundreds of dollars, if not thousands. From thrifted, budget friendly, and outdated chairs to sleek black, high end looking pieces that match my dining table perfectly.

Black dining chair with a cream leather cushion

And it is such a contrast to those old chairs I painted years ago. The hundreds of chips and scratches were a constant reminder of what happens when you cut corners. These new chairs are a reminder of what happens when you prep properly and use the right products.

More Before and After Makeovers

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Click any of these “before” photos below to view the “after” of that makeover.

They look amazing. They feel durable, and I know they will hold up for years. We’ve already put them to the test with our family using them for a few weeks, and they have held up even through some rough accidental banging around. I’m finally not embarrassed to have guests over for dinner!

If you want your chairs or painted furniture to look like this, start with prep. Use the right products and don’t be afraid to spray instead of brushing.