Expert: Eileen Cronk - 6/20/2008

Question
Dear Eileen,

I would like to paint or stain my light colored (natural)bamboo papasan chair an espresso color to match the other furniture in my living room.  I've seen answers to a couple questions about using a spray lacquer or a colored poly.  I am very amateur and would like to do the easiest route with the best result.  What advice would you give me?

Thank you,
Heather

Answer
Hi Heather
Nice to hear from you.
The very easiest route for you would be a dark spray paint.
The colored lacquer can be tricky to use and would require too many coats to mention to go from very light to very dark, and I don't think it will look any different than a coat of paint by the time its dark enough.
The colored poly would look like heck.
Whatever you use the chair must be prepped in order for any new finish to stick.
Sanding is pretty much out of the question with this chair so a good scrub with a TSP solution and a scrub brush is needed.
TSP is sold at all hardware stores in powder form.
Mix according to directions.
I think this will be the easiest and best solution and you can certainly do it. Just dig in.
Kind Regards
Eileen