Bamboo is commonly used for garden furniture and decorations. While bamboo furniture is naturally water-resistant, its longevity depends on the type of bamboo and how well it’s maintained. In this guide, we’ll explain how to paint bamboo furniture and which types of paint are best for the job.
Painting Bamboo Furniture
Bamboo furniture is a popular choice for gardens, valued for its eco-friendly qualities. While it’s often left unpainted, painting or varnishing bamboo can enhance its durability. If you’re curious about how to paint bamboo furniture, here’s everything you need to know.
Can Bamboo Furniture Be Painted?
Bamboos are widely used in many different fields such as building materials, furniture making, paper production, etc. They grow very fast and are hardy. Bamboos have woody stems and herbaceous leaves. Therefore, bamboo furniture can be easily painted.
What Paint To Paint Bamboo Furniture With?
The most commonly used material for treating bamboo is teak oil, which refreshes the bamboo, giving it a vibrant, renewed appearance. However, if you’re looking to add color to bamboo furniture, you’ll need to use specific types of paint. Here are some options for coloring bamboo:
- Acrylic Paints: Acrylics work well for coating bamboo surfaces and can also be used for creating patterns or decorations.
- Spray Paints: These offer quick and easy application but aren’t ideal for woven bamboo furniture due to wastage.
- Varnishes: Varnish protects bamboo and enhances its natural color. Both glossy and matte finishes are available.
- Synthetic Paints: While effective for coating bamboo, they dry slowly and release odors for a few days, making them less ideal.
- Lacquer Paints: Lacquers provide a glossy, smooth surface but can cover the natural texture of bamboo and are tricky to apply at home.
How To Paint Bamboo Furniture?
Before painting your bamboo furniture, start by giving it a light sanding to remove any dirt or debris. While many teak oils are marketed as suitable for both teak and bamboo, it’s important to note that teak oil won’t color bamboo—it simply revitalizes it.
If you’re looking to protect and rejuvenate your bamboo chairs and tables from harsh weather, teak oil is a great option, but it won’t provide any color. For that, you’ll need other finishes.
Glossy or matte wood preservatives, such as cherry, walnut, mahogany, or chestnut, can be used to stain bamboo without damaging its natural grain. These finishes will not only add color but also offer a layer of protection.
If you prefer solid colors like cream, white, or blue, acrylic paints are your best choice. Once you’ve finished painting, applying a water-based acrylic varnish will give your bamboo furniture extra resistance to weather conditions.
No matter which paint or finish you choose, always ensure the bamboo surface is clean and dry before you begin. Remove any oil or dirt, and sand stubborn stains with 220-grit sandpaper. After cleaning off the dust, you’re ready to either oil, paint, or varnish your bamboo furniture for a fresh, new look. For more details, check out the article on painting bamboo.
Which Paint to Paint a Bamboo Table?
You can use teak oil to revitalize the bamboo table. It will regain its original appearance. However, if you want to paint in colors such as blue, red, cream, you need to use acrylic paints. After painting the bamboo table, you should apply this-based varnish on it to make it durable. Use varnished wood preservatives to get a wood look like cherry walnut oak.
Which Varnish to Use for Bamboo Furniture?
It is possible to use varnished or unvarnished wood preservatives for bamboo. These can be colorless or in colors such as cherry or oak. You can also use yacht varnish.
Can Bamboo Furniture Be Varnished?
Bamboo furniture is usually protected with til oil. It can also be varnished. You can varnish bamboo with water-based and synthetic varnishes. However, once varnished, it can no longer be oiled.
