DIY Dining Room Chairs

All the boys went away for a football weekend, leaving me alone to look for a project. My dining rooms chairs were in bad shape, so we just replaced them with really swanky new ones! (Can't wait to show you) So since the old ones were just sitting there in the garage, I decided to fix-em'-up. They were bound for Goodwill so what is the worst that could happen?

Here is the chair "before". Why yes as a matter of
fact those are the chairs from "Everybody Loves Raymond" in the early 90's. I had a little footstool in my closet that I decided to throw in the mix.
Lessons Learned:

1. Don't use crappy primer. This brand is what I am referring to

This primer made all the difference!


I used the dark primer because I wanted to paint the chairs black.

2. Don't use crappy spray paint. You have to get the best spray paint, it will save you a ton of time, cursing, and money in the long run.

3. Drink lots of Chick-Fil-A Iced Tea. I think it has triple the caffeine of regular iced tea. (I did all six chairs in one afternoon)

I roughed up the chairs with sandpaper for a lightly distressed look. (We distresss things around here, might as well go with it)
I decided to use a paste wax for a hand rubbed finish, it looks okay but it wasn't necessary.

Here is one of the finished chairs, and the footstool is now a pumpkin holder.
Ahhhhhh....much better.