I bought this old wooden rocking chair without giving it a sniff test first. Big mistake. Once I discovered the smell of cigarette smoke, this makeover became a little more involved than I’d planned. But after a thorough cleaning, fresh paint, and a whitewash on the wood, it earned a spot on my front porch. Not bad for a chair I almost regretted bringing home!
Updated September 2026: I refreshed the tutorial with clearer instructions, new images, and an update on how the rocking chair is holding up.
This project was originally sponsored by Dixie Belle Paint Co., and I was compensated for the original post. I no longer partner with the company. All opinions and project experiences are my own.
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Wooden Rocking Chair | Before
I’ve always wanted a pair of rocking chairs for the front porch, but finding two that match is easier said than done. The price was right on this solid-wood rocker, so I brought it home by myself. The old finish was flaking, and the back spindles had a few scratches, but the chair was sturdy. I could work with that!
I did another DIY rocking chair makeover a few years ago using an unusual method of stripping away an old finish, and I wrote about it here on my blog. CLICK HERE to see a similar finish on a custom handmade rocker. It’s one of a kind and a favorite in my home!
Materials Used For This Makeover:
- Old wooden rocker
- SurfPrep Sanding System
- 100, 150, 220 grit sandpaper
- white lightning cleaner and degreaser
- BONDING BOSS primer and stain blocker (white) — after the cleaner
- painter’s tape (Frogtape)
- Glacier Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint
- Endless Shore Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint
- Soft cotton cloth — for wiping back the whitewash
- Synthetic paint brush, 2-inch mini angle
- Extra Coat Satin top clear coat
- Soft bristle brush — for cleaning the chair
STEP 1: Repairing Damages
I was fortunate that this rocker had only minor scratches. My only repairs were to sand down the old finish and clean up the scratches on the back spindle. It looked like a puppy chewing toy. Those will sand right out.
Thank goodness, no significant repairs were needed with wood glue. All the spindles were secure.
But the rocking chair had been neglected over time, and from all appearances, it had most likely been living in a barn. The existing finish (varnish) was flaking off, but the wood was in perfect condition to rip (remove) the old finish with an electric sander—no chemical strippers were needed. Yay!
But after I started cleaning it, I noticed a familiar smell—CIGARETTE SMOKE! It’s not something you ever forget when you’re working with furniture. YUCK!
Prepping Before Paint | Tips and Tricks
Once I realized this rocker smelled like cigarette smoke, cleaning became my first priority. Pretty paint wasn’t going to solve that problem!
The best thing to do is to clean the chair thoroughly and let it dry completely before checking for lingering odors. If the smoke smell persists, choose a primer specifically labeled to block odors, and check that it’s compatible with your paint and the area where you’ll use the chair. An ordinary primer may not do the job.
I suggest applying an oil-based primer to the wood to cover these odors before painting if necessary.
I cleaned the rocker with White Lightning cleaner and degreaser, using a soft bristle brush to work around the spindles, joints, and underside. That old chair had plenty of places for grime to hide!
Follow the cleaner’s label instructions, then wipe the surface with fresh cloths dampened with clean water to remove the residue. Leftover cleaner can affect how well your paint adheres.
And yes, I rinsed this particular rocker with the garden hose. It was solid wood, but that’s a more aggressive cleaning method than I’d recommend for every piece. For most furniture, stick with damp cloths rather than soaking it.
After cleaning, I let the chair dry thoroughly before moving on. Mine spent about six hours in the sun, but drying time depends on the weather and how wet the wood gets. Give it more time if needed, especially around the joints. Once mine was dry, the smell of smoke was gone. SCORE!
STEP 2: Sanding and Smoothing The Wood
For this rocking chair makeover, I wanted a combination of painted surfaces and whitewashed wood. That meant sanding the areas I planned to whitewash down to bare wood so the grain could show through.
I used my SurfPrep Sanding System to remove the old finish, working with 100- and 150-grit sandpaper as needed, then finishing with 220-grit for a smoother surface.
The areas I planned to paint received a light scuff sanding with 220-grit sandpaper. Remove any loose or flaking finish, smooth the scratches, and wipe away the sanding dust before applying primer or paint.
STEP 3: Apply Primer and Stain Blocker
Once the chair was clean, thoroughly dry, and sanded, I removed the remaining sanding dust.
I used white BONDING BOSS primer and stain blocker on the areas I planned to paint. This helps prevent wood tannins and old stains from bleeding through the light paint. Leave the areas you plan to whitewash free of white primer so the wood grain stays visible.
Apply two thin coats with a synthetic paintbrush. Wait at least four hours between coats, then allow the final coat to dry for 24 hours before painting. Follow the directions on your container.
A little patience here can save you from finding yellow or brown spots in your pretty new paint finish later. Ask me how I know!
I don’t recommend skipping the primer and stain blocker when painting over bare wood; you might be slightly upset the day after you paint. Wood tannins and stains are notorious for bleeding through paint.
For this reason, I like to use two coats of primer, especially when painting with lighter colors over wood. It’s worth the effort! I promise. You’ve been warned. 🙂
Step 4: PAINT – Rocking Chair Makeover
After the final coat of primer had dried for 24 hours, I painted the primed areas with Glacier Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint by Dixie Belle. Its soft neutral color complements the whitewashed wood.
Apply a thin, even coat with a dry synthetic paintbrush. Check around the spindles and underneath the seat for drips. Wait at least four hours before applying the second coat. If coverage is still uneven, follow the product’s directions for an additional coat.
Leave the wood areas you plan to whitewash unpainted.
CLICK HERE to read my honest Silk All-In-One Mineral-Paint Review.
STEP 5: How To Whitewash Bare Wood
Whitewashing gives bare wood a lighter look while allowing the grain to show through. It’s what gives this rocker that soft contrast between the painted frame and wood details.
For this original makeover, I experimented with Endless Shore Silk paint, mixing about one tablespoon of paint with half a cup of water. I brushed it onto the bare wood and wiped away the excess with a soft cotton cloth, building the color until I liked the look.
Updated tip: That mixture was much thinner than the manufacturer recommends for Silk paint. To recreate a whitewashed finish, choose a paint or wood-wash product specifically suited to this technique and follow its mixing instructions.
Test the wash in a hidden spot first. Work in small sections, brush with the grain, and wipe back the excess before it dries. Allow each application to dry as directed before deciding whether you need more color.
STEP 6: Protect the Painted and Whitewashed Finish
To finish this rocking chair makeover, I applied two thin coats of Silk Extra Coat with a synthetic paintbrush. It added a soft satin sheen that brought the painted and whitewashed areas together.
Let the paint and whitewash dry completely before applying the topcoat. Stir Extra Coat, brush on a thin coat, and allow it to dry completely. The manufacturer recommends waiting at least two hours before applying another coat.
Extra Coat is water repellent, but that doesn’t make the chair waterproof. This makeover was for my covered front porch. If your chair will sit in rain and direct sun, choose a compatible finish specifically rated for that exposure.
Follow the product’s drying and curing instructions before putting the chair into use. Extra Coat lists a 48-hour dry time and a full cure time of 21–30 days. Dry to the touch and fully cured are two different things!
The Finished Wooden Rocking Chair Makeover
This old rocker finally looks right at home on the front porch. The painted frame brightens it up, while the whitewashed wood keeps some of that character I loved in the first place.
September 2026 update: This little rocker is still getting plenty of use on my covered side porch, and the finish is holding up well. I bring it inside during the colder months, which helps protect it. After all that work, she’s earned a little pampering—and so have I when I sit down in her!
The soft satin finish gives this chair just enough sheen without looking overly shiny. And that combination of paint and visible wood grain? That’s my favorite part.
Would you have brought this old rocker home, or would the sniff test have sent you running? Let me know in the comments. I’m glad I gave it another chance—but next time, I’m sniffing before I’m buying!
Hey, thanks for joining me here today. As always, I’d love to know if you stopped by. Please leave me your thoughts on this DIY project, or say hello so I know you were here. Oh, and don’t forget to share this with your creative DIY-loving friends and on Pinterest.
Until the next project… xo, Do
Beautiful Do!
Thank you, Carol. So good to hear from you. 🙂
Love to see your amazing re-dos and especially appreciate your thoroughness in explaining the details. Wondered if you could offer a creative suggestion for a piece of plywood I want to finish off as a desk top…was thinking of staining it, but that is so boring…maybe chalk paint would be better with some kind of design? Have any thoughts?
Thank you for sharing your creativity!
Hi Paula,
Thank you! I don’t know if this would be your style but if you love patterns, I painted a barn quilt. That would be super neat on a desk top. Here’s an article with the tutorial. https://www.dododsondesigns.com/how-to-make-a-rustic-diy-barn-quilt/
So beautiful!
Thank you so much, Mae Lynn. 🙂
Love you, love your style!
Thank you, Judie! 🙂
This rocking chair diy is awesome, I just love the two-tone wood/paint look. You’re home and porch is so lovely Do. Thanks for sharing! Enjoy your weekend my friend. XOXO
Thank you, Denise. We have really enjoyed this porch and now I can rock my evenings away. 🙂