In Partnership withRust-Oleum®

A Quick DIY Turned These Chairs from “Worn Out and Dated” to Sleek and Modern

Written by

Courtney BalestierSenior Writer, Creative Studio
Courtney BalestierSenior Writer, Creative Studio
Courtney Balestier is the Apartment Therapy Creative Studio Senior Writer. She holds a master's degree in magazine journalism from NYU and lives in Pittsburgh, where you'll find her doing DIY projects in her new house with her dog and cat (who are not being very helpful).
published Jul 19, 2024
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Credit: Ashley Quintero

An easy DIY that you can start on Friday and enjoy just a few days later? That’s our idea of a great weekend.

Ace carpenter and DIYer Ashley Quintero has been steadily transforming her family’s 1950s Texas house into their dream home. When she turned her attention to the backyard, she realized their outdoor oasis-in-progress was just the place for a furniture upcycle.

“I loved my farmhouse dining chairs when I bought them seven years ago. But now they look worn out and dated with an overall dull appearance,” she says. “I saw them as an eyesore that didn’t match the rest of my decor, so I hardly ever wanted to use them.” But with a simple paint job, they could make perfect patio seating.

Credit: Ashley Quintero

First, Ashley sanded the existing finish with 220-grit sandpaper. After a quick clean and a coat of primer, it was time to paint. She wanted a timeless and versatile look, so she chose Stops Rust Custom Spray 5-in-1 by Rust-Oleum in Satin Black.

Credit: Ashley Quintero

Custom Spray 5-in-1 has a unique adjustable dial with five different spray settings, for precise and even coverage no matter the project. Ashley used the #5 Horizontal Fan setting — which makes quick work of tall, flat surfaces — on the chair legs and backs.

Credit: Ashley Quintero

Next, she painted the seats by switching to the #4 Vertical Fan setting, which is designed for long, flat surfaces. Finally, she got all the little joints and corners using the #3 Low Output Setting to avoid all the drips and mess. (By spraying with a lower intensity, you have more control to paint details or tight corners without worrying about too much paint creating drips.)

Credit: Ashley Quintero

“Using the Custom Spray 5-in-1 dial was a surprisingly smooth experience,” she says. “It allowed for a consistent spray pattern and great control, which made application easy and less messy. There was also much less overspray compared to projects I’ve done before.”

Credit: Ashley Quintero

“The chairs’ new sleek, modern aesthetic blends perfectly with my space. They no longer feel like something to hide away!”

Ashley Quintero

And now, Ashley loves her chairs once more — plus they’re a great fit for her newly created outdoor dining area.

Credit: Ashley Quintero

“They look almost brand new! This project has not only enhanced the aesthetics of my space but also boosted my confidence in quick spray-paint DIYs. And I love that I could create a new look with resources I already owned.”