Q: I have a retro dining set that I really love, except for the color of the upholstery. I'd like it to be black and the "cushions" are velcro'd in and come out really easily. The only problem is that they appear to be spray-painted and I'm guessing I shouldn't just use regular black spray paint on them, since it might chip off on clothing? I would love to keep the vinyl feel so cloth would be my second choice. Has anyone else dealt with spray-painted vinyl chairs like these?
Sent by Sue
Editor: Offer your suggestions for Sue in the comments - thanks!
• Got a question? Email yours with pic attachments here (those with pics get answered first)
Jessica's Crafted Space
Ana Creates a Community at Home
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Z2 iPod Dock and Wi...
Catch Up With Friends: Menu for a Casual Dinner Party with Fresh Comfort Food
True Greek Recipe: Paximadi Bread Salad with Tomatoes, Feta and Capers
I don't have anything useful to contribute. However, I would like to say the dining set is fab!
i would try automotive upholstery spray paint. the blue is so much more interesting than the black. i would keep them the way they are.
You will have to use the primer for plastic, otherwise your paint will not adhere.
sorry, I read to fast without really reading it :(
I came across this post:
http://redoux.blogspot.com/search/label/Free%20to%20Me
via Design Sponge about spray painting leather. This project looks like it came out great and I wonder if you could do the same with the vinyl?
Good Luck!
As upholstery projects go this is not the most expensive. Consider going that route, I think this set is worth it. I also think redoing in black is terrific idea. White or yellow would be great as well. Buy the fabric now, reupholster later when you have more money if cost is an issue. Good luck!
thanks everybody!
@lampeam: That is a super cool silver chair in your link - although somehow I still don't believe I could just spray paint them.
@amyanne - I'll look into that-- thanks!
On another note - I keep seeing sets like this on eBay, and I *only* ever see them with blue vinyl, so I'm wondering if it's some "classic" color I shouldn't mess with. Not that it would stop me : )
I'm in love. That is an awesome set.
Beautiful set. If the chairs are fibreglass you can spray paint them and use a marine coat on top. We did a whole set of white chairs and they've lasted up to my kids' rough use for over a year now. There's an excellent tutorial over at chairfag (I don't have the address handly... just google chairfag and I'm sure you'll find it!)
"I would love to keep the vinyl feel"
...Now that's a sentence I never thought I'd hear. =)
I would go to an upholster and have them redone shouldn't cost that much.
I second the automotive upholstery suggestion. I did some research into it a while back for similar reasons to yours, and it seems like they have a paint/stain/finish (not spray) for vinyl materials since it's a common upholstery material for cars.
I didn't go through with it on my vinyl chair though (it's still a far too vibrant orange), so i don't know how it really turns out, but good luck!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuiTj-VTvHo
I love your chairs.