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DIY step by step on the dip-dyed bar chair

Mark the point at which you want the new paint to stop (perhaps 5 or 6 inches up the chair leg). Use a ruler for consistency, and measure each side of the leg until you have a continuous line running horizontal to the floor at the desired height. Tape off the area below the line; use a level if you're worried about getting things exact.

Mark the point at which you want the new paint to stop (perhaps 5 or 6 inches up the chair leg). Use a ruler for consistency, and measure each side of the leg until you have a continuous line running horizontal to the floor at the desired height.

Tape off the area below the line; use a level if you’re worried about getting things exact.  (Dianne de Guzman / Los Angeles Times)

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Inspired by Kyle Schuneman’s DIY racing stripe chairs, L.A. at Home decided to tackle another simple DIY of its own: the dip-dyed chair. There’s something about the bright burst of color at the lower parts of furniture that caught our attention. IKEA’s white Ingolf bar chairs seemed like the perfect canvas to try the dip-dye technique — which doesn’t include any paint-dipping whatsoever.

Sand work

Sand the legs of the chair. This is a boring but necessary step to give the primer (and paint) something to grip. This chair had a particularly thick layer of paint over the wood, so I needed extra time getting the legs prepped.  (Dianne de Guzman / Los Angeles Times)

Primer

Paint (or spray paint) a couple of layers of primer onto the wood.   (Dianne de Guzman / Los Angeles Times)

Pink paint

Once the primer is dry, apply two or three layers of your paint color. I chose gesso paint from the craft store. Here, I loaded paint onto the area before smoothing it out with the sponge brush.

The acrylic paint dried quickly; I waited 30 minutes between layers.   (Dianne de Guzman / Los Angeles Times)

Pink layers

A day after painting the legs, I applied a clear matte spray as a sealant to keep the paint from rubbing off. Hold the can 6 to 10 inches away, using even strokes.

Once the paint dries, remove the paint tape carefully. I like peeling it back at a 90-degree angle; I’m not sure why that works best, but it does for me.  (Dianne de Guzman / Los Angeles Times)

Final product

Step back and admire your handiwork, you DIYer, you.  (Dianne de Guzman / Los Angeles Times)

Leg close-up

Do you have another suggestion on how to make this chair cute? Send in your idea to home@latimes.com.  (Dianne de Guzman / Los Angeles Times)

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