Do you have a faded umbrella that drives you nuts? Learn how to paint outdoor fabric to transform your old umbrella into a beautiful, patterned, patio umbrella that looks brand new!
Sometimes, we are so quick to toss the old and just buy new. I think that can be the better option but isn't always. For outdoor patio furniture, cushions, umbrellas, etc., they fade over time. Tossing all the patio equipment every year because of sun exposure just isn't feasible over here and, honestly, isn't good for the environment.
So, if you have a faded patio umbrella, you are in luck today. I'm walking you through the process of how to paint that umbrella and even sharing how long you can expect it to last.
Paint Outdoor Fabric To Transform a Faded Umbrella
A few years ago, a few friends and I teamed up to encourage each other to try to update a project or do a project all inspired by a specific store. For this project, I was inspired by Urban Outfitters. They used to have a gorgeous stenciled patio umbrella and I loved it. They no longer have it, but it was white with a stencil design. I thought it was so fun.
I wasn't in the market to buy a new beach umbrella for my patio because I had a working umbrella. The negative about my umbrella was that it was really faded. I decided to take inspiration from some of the beach umbrellas and see if I could make my own painted patio umbrella. It worked and now I'm here to share all the details with you!
BEFORE: Faded Umbrella
I started with an old patio umbrella. It actually wasn't too old, but it was just really faded.
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Supplies for Umbrella Painting
- Pressure Washer or soap and water
- Latex Paint (or Spray Paint) *See Notes below
- Paint Sprayer
How to Paint an Outdoor Patio Umbrella
- Wash the umbrella down with soap and water. If you have a power sprayer, you might use that on the lowest setting. If not, you can use this tutorial for cleaning without a power sprayer.
- Using a paint sprayer, spray the umbrella with a light coat of paint (I used latex paint because that's what I had on hand). Alternately, you could just use spray paint.
- Keep painting, following the directions of whatever method you are using until you have full coverage.
- Allow for dry time before exposing the painted umbrella to outside elements.
What Kind Of Paint Do You Use On An Umbrella?
I'd recommend spray paint!
Let me be honest and say that I first tried to paint the umbrella using a roller. I quickly learned that using a roller on thin fabric was going to be really annoying and hard to get the paint coverage that I wanted. Learn from my mistake. Don't use a roller on thin, wobbly fabric. Once it dried, it looked like this:
After using the roller on the first coat, I busted out my spray paint gun and used some white latex that I had leftover from our kitchen. It took about three coats with the paint sprayer to get a pretty evenly-covered surface.
After I was successful with umbrella painting, I knew I wanted to make the umbrella even prettier. A stencil would have been a good idea to use for painting the umbrella but Luke handprinted a fun design instead (and we made a stencil to help with the hard parts).
Umbrella Painting with a Design
If you want to create a similar pattern to our umbrella makeover, then you can follow these directions:
- Find the middle of each section of your umbrella. Tape it off.
- Measure or just eyeball the circle spacing on each side of your tape.
- Use a circle form (we used a painter's tape roll) to paint your circles.
- Create a stencil and hand-paint the design.
Once we started hand-painting, we realized that it was going to take forever to finish.
Luke had the idea to make a paper stencil for the next part. He copied most of the stencils on each of the sections and then we painted them at the end.
I painted all of the straight lines (go me!) and he finished off all the petals.
Of course, the straight lines were much easier to do.
After we finished painting, I hot-glued the pom pom trim on and set it up. Instant gratification.
For $20 (the cost of the pom-pom trim), this project was super cheap and highly effective in creating a much more cohesive, beautiful space.
FAQ's On Painting Outdoor Fabric
Can you spray paint fabric?
Yes, you can use spray paint on fabric. I didn't want to buy cans to spray paint my umbrella so I used leftover paint that I already had but I do think using spray paint on the fabric umbrella would have been faster.
How long did the umbrella painting hold up?
I did this project back in 2014 and it held up for three years outside! I think that investment of making over the faded patio umbrella was worth the time for sure!
I'm not sure what is the "best outdoor fabric paint" but I do know that I feel like three years felt like a good return on my investment with my outdoor fabric paint situation!
If you don't have the space to to make a patterned patio umbrella yourself, I'll link up a few options of gorgeous beach umbrella's that I'm loving.
Adorable Patio Umbrella's To Buy
How to Paint Outdoor Fabric to Makeover an Old Umbrella
Have a faded umbrella? Learn how to paint outdoor fabric to transform your old umbrella to a beautiful pattered patio umbrella.
Materials
- Latex Paint (or Spray Paint)* See Notes
- Soap and Water
- Painter's Tape
- Pom Pom Trim
Tools
- Pressure Washer
- Paint Sprayer
Instructions
- Wash the umbrella down with soap and water. If you have a power sprayer, you might use that on the lowest setting. If you don't have a pressure washer, use soap and water and a brush.
- Using a paint sprayer, spray the umbrella with a light coat of paint (I used latex paint because that’s what I had on hand). Alternately, you could just use spray paint.
- Keep painting, following the directions of whatever method you are using until you have full coverage.
- Allow for dry time before exposing the painted umbrella to outside elements.
UMBRELLA PAINTING WITH A DESIGN
If you want to create a similar pattern to our umbrella makeover, then you can follow these directions:
Find the middle of each section of your umbrella. Tape it off.
Measure or just eyeball the circle spacing on each side of your tape.
Use a circle form (we used a painter’s tape roll) to paint your circles.
Create a stencil and hand-paint the design.
Notes
WHAT KIND OF PAINT DO YOU USE ON AN UMBRELLA?
I’d recommend spray paint! After using the roller on the first coat, I busted out my spray paint gun and used some white latex that I had leftover from our kitchen. It took about three coats with the paint gun to get a pretty evenly covered surface.
Like I mentioned earlier, a few friends and I were inspired to create together. Check out what they created below.
Prisma Wall Decor - Amy from Delineate Your Dwelling
Knock-Off Wall Hanging - Brynne from The Gathered Home
Charlotte W
That turned out great!! Love it in your outdoor space!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Charlotte! It was so much nicer out there after I cleaned it! Probably should have done that before you guys came. lol
Tori
Great idea! We were just going to throw out our faded cushions. It seemed like a waste. Now I'm going to try and paint them. I've got nothing to lose and $$$ to save. Who doesn't like to save money?!
Thanks for all the ideas!
Amy W
Wow, you were dedicated! It turned out so lovely and makes such a beautiful impact to your back!! Love it.
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Amy! It definitely wasn't the fastest DIY to be sure!
Brynne@The Gathered Home
How awesome! I love those designs and can't believe you hand-painted them all!!!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Brynne!
Katie @ Upcycled Treasures
Holy cow, what a transformation! That paint did wonders and I never would have guessed it was the same umbrella! Those pom poms are my fave! This knock off truly is a knock out!
Ashley Mayes
Lol, thanks Katie!
Tasha @ Designer Trapped in a Lawyer's Body
Ashley! I am SO IMPRESSED! I can't believe the umbrella was painted with spray paint and kudos to you both for your patience in stenciling on the pattern. It looks so much like the UO umbrella for a fraction of the price. Love it!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Tasha! The paint sprayer was definitely the way to go! I'm really hoping it holds up well, because it just adds so much to the patio!
Jennifer @ Brave New Home
Wow, from seeing the finished image I never would have guessed what you started with! How nice of your husband to help out : ] Great styling in your photos!
Ashley Mayes
It was pretty sad looking! He's generally pretty good about helping. Thanks for the compliment on the styling. I feel like I need some help with that overall.
Alexis @ Persia Lou
Yes! I've been waiting for this one! I love the way it turned out! The yellow pom poms are the best. Yay for sweet DIY umbrellas.
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Alexis! I felt kinda bad when I saw it on your IG because I knew they were going to be pretty similar! Love how you did yours as well (and that you didn't make the mistake of trying to roll it!). lol.
Katie @ Addicted 2 DIY
This came out gorgeous! I love the addition of the pom ribbon on it! My umbrella is perfectly fine, but maybe I should try to get it to fade a little so can have a pretty one like this;)
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Katie! Wait another year or two and then give yours a transformation. =)
Corey @ Tinysidekick
I love that you reused an old faded umbrella for this project! Who knew? It turned out so great. Thanks for linking up at The Makers. It is always great to have you.
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Corey! Sometimes it works to be thrifty... =)
Kayla @ Home Coming
This turned out great! So much better than the original, in my opinion. I'd love it if you'd link up to my Look for Less Design Challenge. By linking up, you're entered to win a $60 Target Giftcard too! http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2014/07/diy-x-leg-ottoman.html
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Kayla! Will do!
kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor
This is beautiful, Ashley!! I was wondering if those could be repainted. (Because I am sure the sun does a number on the color! Awesome job!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Kristi! So far so good with the paint, but I do wonder how long it will last!
Frank
Great job, Ashley and Luke! Out of curiosity, how does the fabric lay when the umbrella is collapsed? I'd like to try this, but need to be able to close it for storms, etc.
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Frank. The umbrella collapses just the same. It doesn't lay quite as flat when it's down, but it's definitely not noticeable.
Haggie
So, about the time you get the project done, your weekend is over and it is time to go back to work.
Ashley Mayes
Yep, the life of a DIYer!
tom riddle
Hi. What is that puffy leaved plant....way cool.
Ashley Mayes
Hmm, the bigger one? It's lemon grass. We have it to hopefully repel mosquitos.
polly plum
1. I never would have thought of using spray paint on fabric!-I wouldn't think it would dry smooth. But it looks great!
2. Didyou make or buy the outdoor cushion for the wicker bench?
Ashley Mayes
I wouldn't recommend using the sprayer on pillows, but for a thicker fabric like the umbrella it worked great. I recovered the bench cushion in just some leftover curtain panels that I had around the house. Thanks for stopping by!
Evelyn Theus
What a beautiful umbrella. So much more beautiful then the original.
I just found your blog. And I really like it.It's so lovely and creative.
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Evelyn. We love it.
alicia
Hi! Remodelaholic sent me over for this post! How is the paint holding up on your umberella? 🙂
Ashley Mayes
It's holding up great! We have it out from May-Oct and then take it in through the winter. I did wonder if it would hold up but so far we have had no issues. Good luck with yours and if you try it... send me a pic!