Remember that old vinyl furniture your mother used to have from the 1970’s? Does it have so much mildew on it that no one really believes your “It’s a science experiment” excuse anymore? Well, now’s the time to restore it to almost new condition while giving it that modern-retro look.

Vinyl is very durable and easy to work with. I bought a vinyl sofa for $20 from a local used furniture store, spent another $40 in paint, and ended up with a great piece of outdoor patio furniture that would have cost hundreds of dollars if I tried to find it brand new. It only took one full day to clean and paint an 8-foot sofa and you don’t have to be a rocket scientist or artist to do it. Here’s what you’re going to need:
2-gallon bucket
All purpose detergent (Lysol, Mr. Clean)
Stiff bristled scrub brush
SEM brand vinyl paint
A couple of clean rags.

First, locate a piece of vinyl furniture that is the most hideous color you have ever seen, but is in fairly good condition. My sofa didn’t have any tears or rips in it, but if yours does there are plenty of do-it-yourself vinyl repair kits out there. There’s not a whole lot that can be done if the vinyl is stretched because something was sitting on it, although heating it up with a hairdryer might recover it enough to make it useful.

The second step is to clean the vinyl. And when I say clean the vinyl, I don’t just mean a simple wipe down. It’s going to have to be scrubbed thoroughly so that the paint will have some chance to stick. I simply used a bucket of hot water with a small amount of Lysol or Mr. Clean detergent and a stiff bristled scrub brush. The purpose of this step is to remove any dirt and oils that have embedded themselves into the pores of the vinyl. Use a firm circular motion with the scrub brush and rinse the vinyl often with a damp cloth. Make sure to thoroughly clean between the seams and into the corners, that’s where the paint is going to have a hard time sticking.

Dry the vinyl extremely well. Placing it out in the sun for 20 – 30 minutes should do the trick. There are some articles out there that instruct you to soften the vinyl using bleach or sand paper. I didn’t do this and it worked out fine. If you feel more comfortable doing that, this is the point to start it.

Applying the paint is the next step. The SEM vinyl paint comes in spray cans, just like regular spray paint. I used 4 cans for my 2-cushion, 8-foot long sofa. Make sure to read and follow the directions on the can. This is where a little technique can go a long way. First of all, many light coats are a lot better than a few heavy coats. I applied 6 or 7 coats to transform the pale yellow sofa into this burgundy masterpiece. Be sure to use even strokes, holding the can approximately 8 inches from surface. Also make sure you’re in a well-ventilated area. The first couple of coats are going to look horrible. Don’t worry; it only gets better with more coats. Don’t just paint in one direction; go side to side and up and down. I found it easier to just keep turning the piece, especially the cushions. Allow approximately 10 minutes to dry between coats. Go inside and watch TV or pound a beer while waiting. But don’t forget when you’re pounding beers that you’ll have to do this at least another 6 times. Your end result may be slightly splotchy, but that adds to the uniqueness of the piece.

After you are satisfied with the color, use a clean, dry cloth to wipe the vinyl and remove any excess paint and over spray. You’ll see the rag picking up some of the over spray onto the cloth. Turn the rag often and repeat until you get a clean rag after wiping. Take your time on this part. Remember, if it doesn’t come off with the rag, then it will come off with your clothes.

Voila!!! You have now successfully turned an old piece of junk furniture it a fashion statement on your back porch. It’s easy to clean and lasts a long time. And if taken care of with regular cleanings, will resist most mildew. Now go forth and paint.