A worn outdoor armchair transformed by paint & tape

A few years ago I purchased a SKARPÖ outdoor armchair. After many seasons spent in bad weather the surface was stained and impossible to clean up and its appearance was very sad.

Painting worn IKEA SKARPO outdoor armchair

I therefore decided to take steps to give it a new life . The idea was to make it appear wrapped in ribbons of different colors.

What I used:

I purchased nitro solvent to wash it; sandpaper to roughen the surface; primer paint to create the substrate; outdoor matt paints white, light gray and dark gray (you can use other contrasting colors); a small roller to paint it and a roll of adhesive paper tape (the one used to protect the window frame when painting) 5 cm high.

paints and primer

Related: How to paint plastics


Outdoor armchair painting process

The first step was to degrease it thoroughly by washing it with nitro solvent. I then sanded the armchair and then painted it with the primer paint.

primed

So I painted it in light gray color.

Painting worn IKEA SKARPO outdoor armchair

The next day I applied the adhesive tape and then painted it with dark gray paint.

Painting worn IKEA SKARPO outdoor armchair
dark grey

Once the adhesive tape is removed, the effect of the dark gray armchair wrapped in a light gray tape is obtained.

removing tape

Second part (suitable for the most courageous and patient only) to obtain the effect of the white armchair wrapped in sequence by dark gray and light gray ribbons.

I did it by applying again the adhesive tape and painting the armchair with white paint.

more tape for ribbon effect
white paint

Once the tape is removed you will notice that the light gray lines will be interrupted and segmented.

segments
Painting worn IKEA SKARPO outdoor armchair

At this point, with patience, adhesive tape a little brush and light gray paint, you need to correct them to restore continuity.

Painting worn IKEA SKARPO outdoor armchair

At this point the work is finished and the unique “Shibari Armchair” appears as seen below.

Painting worn IKEA SKARPO outdoor armchair
Painting worn IKEA SKARPO outdoor armchair
Painting worn IKEA SKARPO outdoor armchair

~ by Fabio from Varese, Italy