How to paint a wooden table

Sometimes I really want to update the interior on a budget. The paint on the old table has long been peeling and cracked, but a new one will be expensive. Take your time to get upset. You can repaint the table at home. Of course, it will take some investment to buy paints and tools. But it will be much more economical than buying new furniture.

painting the table — In any home, you can find an old wooden table that needs painting or restoration.

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What paint to choose
How to paint a wooden table correctly
Features of table decoration
Painting other types of tables
How to update and paint a very old table
Painting the table white
Major difficulties and mistakes
Rules for caring for a painted table
Video: repainting a wooden table white
50 table designs after repainting:

What paint to choose

The rich selection of colorful materials will baffle even the experienced home craftsman. How to repaint the table and, most importantly, what paint to choose? To navigate the huge repair world, it is enough to get started with the varieties of materials for painting the table.

painting table photo — You should not rush to replace it with a new purchase, because such a table can become an interesting design highlight and help express your creative nature.

Water-dispersive

Water-dispersible acrylic paint is simple and convenient to use. Even a beginner can handle it. The product gives an even coating on a wooden surface without lumps and air bubbles. If you don't like the result and the paint is still wet, you can rinse it off with cold water and start over. This comes in handy when you're painting furniture for the first time and don't know what to expect.

water dispersion paint — This is the best option for furniture that stands in heated rooms, rather than on a veranda or terrace.

The non-toxic, safe composition makes the product especially popular for the restoration and painting of home furniture. When the surface of the table dries after transformation, it becomes moisture-repellent. For the kitchen table, this will be a definite plus. Waterborne paint is also suitable for garden furniture and worktops that are constantly outdoors.

Oil

Oil paint in everyday life is used less often than others, since it has a low degree of wear resistance. It contains drying oil, which is why the painted surface dries for a long time.

Over time, oil paint becomes covered with cracks and chips, loses its beauty and peels off. To work with such a coloring composition, it is necessary to carefully prepare, sand and prime the wooden surface.

Acrylic

Acrylic paints are incredibly popular. They are sold in different containers and in aerosol cans. The tabletop can be painted with such a tool with a roller, brush or spray. The acrylic compound is safe for humans and pets. The paint has no unpleasant odors, it dries quickly.

The table can be painted without even taking it outside, right in the kitchen, if you provide a constant flow of fresh air. The paint is resistant to temperature extremes, does not crack in the cold and withstands hot climates.It is a versatile product for the DIYer to update not only the table, but other furniture as well.

The only drawback of the product is that it can wear off and fade over time. And also scratches remain with mechanical stress.

acrylic paint — Acrylic paints are water-dispersion compositions, which contain polymers, water, pigments and additives that improve the technical properties of materials.

Alkyd

Alkyd enamel can be matte or glossy. By combining such textures, you can achieve incredible results in the restoration of furniture. The tool has increased resistance to frost and harsh climate, is not afraid of the sun or aggressive chemical compositions of detergents.

Enamel paint is sold in aerosol containers and containers. Alkyd enamel is suitable for outdoor furniture.

An unpleasant, pungent odor will be felt during operation, which can cause dizziness, nausea and deterioration. Therefore, you need to prudently acquire a respirator and other personal protective equipment.

alkyd paint — Alkyd paint is versatile and designed to be applied to various surfaces.

Enamels for wood surfaces

Nitro enamel paints for wood surfaces are not widely popular due to their low wear resistance. A tabletop painted with such a tool quickly becomes unusable due to a change in temperature and under the influence of sunlight. If you painted the countertop with enamel paint, the furniture should be constantly in the shade due to its sensitivity to ultraviolet light.

But such paints are inexpensive, which allows you to update the color of the furniture every season. Due to its toxic composition, the product is best used for outdoor design. Nitro enamel paints dry quickly, but you should adhere to the duration of full drying for 1-2 days.

enamel for wood — A high-quality coating can also be created with the help of enamels. They are resistant to light, mechanical stress and corrosion.

Other types of paint

The paint and varnish industry provides a wide variety of tools to repaint a table. When choosing any other paint, pay attention that it is intended for painting wooden surfaces. Also, the choice of coloring agent will directly depend on the type of wood. The paint should not only decorate the table, but also protect its structure from the negative influence of the environment, from moisture penetration, from the appearance of mold.

odorless paint — When the coating extends the life of the entire product, it becomes obvious how important the choice of paint is.

How to paint a wooden table correctly

Before starting the staining process, prepare everything you need for work.

Selection of tools and paints

When choosing a paint, focus on the location of your table. Will it be outdoors or indoors? When you buy quick-drying dyes, this does not mean that the furniture can be used in a couple of hours. Let the paint dry for at least a day, and preferably two. The coating must not only dry, but also harden so that little force or mechanical action does not leave dents behind.

painting the table with your own hands — If the paint is not water-based, then it will be better that the whole process of painting the wood does not take place in the living room.

When you have decided on the coloring composition, allocated time and place, drawn and thought over the design, it's time to prepare the necessary materials. You will need:

various paint brushes and paint rollers;
paint spray if the countertop is large or you have multiple pieces of furniture;
a tray for paint, where it can be picked up with a brush or rolled out with a roller;
antiseptic for wood surfaces to prevent mold;
a primer that prevents the paint from absorbing into the wood and provides an even, beautiful finish;
gloves, respirator, goggles and other personal protective equipment;
chemicals or a metal brush to pre-prepare the countertop for painting to remove old paint or varnish;
pieces of cloth and old newspapers to clean up smudges and drops.

painting tools — The materials used, with which work will be carried out on painting the old board, must be of high quality.

Surface preparation

Preparing a countertop for painting requires some skill. But this stage cannot be skipped. If you apply new paint to an old finish or varnish, the surface of the table will soon be covered with new cracks and chips. Sanding, cleaning the countertop from old paint and varnish fragments, putty, elimination of cracks and grooves provides excellent adhesion between the wood and the fresh paint layer.

Allow the primer to dry well before applying the first coat.

If you are painting an entire table, take it apart to pieces. If you plan to freshen only the countertop, then this procedure is not necessary.
Prepare the surface of the furniture to be restored using a sander, stiff brush or sandpaper. Remove the remnants of varnish or old paint, level the surface, remove all unevenness and roughness. The more thorough the preparation at this stage, the better the paint will lay.
Apply a primer. It is desirable that it be in the color of the future paint. If you plan to paint white, choose an appropriate shade of primer.
Cover with masking tape the areas that you do not plan to paint. It is better to prevent the ingress of the coloring composition on unwanted areas than to wash the blots later.
Have a rag in the grip to wipe off your hands or any drops that have fallen. It is also recommended to cover the floor with newspapers or film so as not to stain in the paint.

painting the table decorative — If the surface is covered with ordinary paint, then large areas are painted with wide brushes, and small details and corners should be passed with a thin brush.

Painting process

The painting process is fun and even creative. How you paint the surface will determine the appearance of the entire table in the future.

Prepare the staining area, remove all unnecessary items, wear protective clothing and gloves. Cover the floor with unwanted newspaper, film, or paper.
If you have spray paint, shake the can thoroughly before use. All components inside must mix.
If you have paint in a can, pour some of the product into a special tray or tray. This will make it easier for you to dip the brush or roll out the roller.
When painting, spread the paint evenly over the wood surface. Try to apply thin layers and let them dry. It is better to do several of these approaches than to apply the paint tightly at one time. Such a coating dries slowly, forms smudges and bumps, it is easy to deform and leave marks.
Each coat should dry well before applying the next one. Only in this case the table surface will be painted evenly, without bald spots and gaps.
Paint the countertop first, then the legs and other details. Make it a rule to move from large planes to smaller ones. Lastly, paint decorative elements and accessories.
It is better to make the coating multilayer, apply the coloring composition at least 2-3 times.
If you want a light wood texture and roughness, sand the countertop lightly after drying.
After the product is completely dry, varnish can be applied.
The protective tape can be removed after all layers have dried.

painted table — After the parts have dried, acrylic varnish is applied on top. So, the surface will be resistant to mechanical damage.

Drying the table

Painted furniture should dry for a day or two in a well-ventilated area or outdoors in a shady area.Do not touch with your finger and check the surface. Collect the furniture only after all the parts are dry, do not screw the legs to the table top until the drying process is complete. It is important to protect the freshly painted table from flying insects. Otherwise, they can stick to the surface and leave marks.

painting the table in vintage style — After the allotted time, it will be possible to use the updated furniture.

Features of table decoration

When the paint is completely dry and solidified, it's time to start decorating. There are several techniques you can use at home. They are good because they do not require expensive investments and are easy to create at home. This is a great option for renovating a child's room.

Decoupage. For this technique, you will need beautifully patterned napkins, brushes and PVA glue. Select the topmost layer of paper with a decorative element, apply it to the countertop and apply glue on top with a brush. Make sure that the napkin does not tear, form air bubbles or move from its original position. After the glue has completely dried, the decorative element is covered with transparent varnish.
Tulle. Find a piece of tulle with a nice pattern. Wet the material, apply to the table surface and fix. Use a spray can or brush to paint the tulle fabric evenly. After drying, remove the makeshift stencil. It will look especially impressive if you use contrasting colors of the dye composition.
Artificial aging of wood looks stylish in a home interior. To do this, sand the surface of the table with sandpaper and wipe individual areas with ammonia. When they are dark, sand again and varnish.
Patination. This method produces nice, dark, vintage streaks on wood surfaces. Apply patina with stain or other suitable agent, wait until dry and remove unnecessary layers with a foam sponge.

Painting other types of tables

In addition to the dining table, there are ladies', magazines, writing and others. The large number and variety of species sometimes baffles the master. The more complex and ornate the decor, the more thoroughly painting of all the nuances is required. In such cases, it is better to use a spray gun or aerosol cans.

decor vintage table — A finely sprayed coloring composition gets into hard-to-reach places where not a single brush, and even more so a roller, can reach.

If you want the wood grain to show well, do not use a pre-primer. Choose liquid paints that will not further smooth the surface of your furniture. Such a coloring composition will repeat the relief of the wood.

If you want a sleek desk, such as a writing desk, go for a thick enamel with a matte finish.

matte paint for wood — Matt paint is a stylish and modern finish for furniture.

How to update and paint a very old table

Very old furniture usually has damage, dents, chips and cracks. There is an unnecessary texture in the form of a bug-eaten surface. The fittings have already weakened, the legs have become loose and the tabletop "walks" slightly. It is not enough just to repaint such furniture, it needs to be repaired and restored.

First, disassemble the table into the largest possible components. Wash the surface of the countertop and legs, dry and examine carefully. All damages and dents can be leveled with putty and primer. Tighten the fittings or replace them with a new one.

painting the old table — Old tables are often made of solid, sturdy wood that will last for many years.

Painting the table white

White furniture comes in warm or cold tones. In the first case, yellow, orange and reddish shades are mixed with white. If the interior is made in a cold range, add a little green or blue to the white paint.

How to paint a children's table with your own hands if it is dark? For countertop pretreatments, choose brightening pastes or white primers. This will allow even the darkest furniture to be repainted. Each layer of the painted surface should dry well. The finish can be matte or glossy. For extra shine, lacquer the table. In this case, the white furniture will literally shine.

painting the table white — For the effect of antiquity, you can choose materials for painting in the desired color and completely cover the surface, wait for it to dry, then carefully remove the top layer partially with a sponge.

Major difficulties and mistakes

Common mistakes can lead to unexpected results. It can ruin the mood and the furniture. Therefore, follow a few rules and do not make the mistakes inherent in beginners.

Dilute the paint in the proportions indicated in the instructions. It is important that the paint is not too thick or, on the contrary, liquid. Failure to follow these simple guidelines will result in sagging and uneven coverage.
The product should dry well. If you start using the table before the paint is completely dry, there is a risk of dents, finger marks, dark spots or scratches on the table top.
Poor sanding of the surface makes it uneven and bumpy. Even if it is not striking, after staining, especially in light colors, all flaws will be noticeable.
Insufficient putty also reduces the life of the finished furniture. If it seems to you that the legs can not be putty, then over time the cracks and damage will only increase in size. Such a table will quickly deteriorate. Do not ignore inconspicuous areas and loose fittings, fix and update everything on time.
Test the paint on a small area of the product. Does it fit well, is the result satisfied with how many layers you plan to apply? It is advisable to decide on these nuances in advance so as not to improvise on the go with an unexpected result.

repainting coffee table — There are a great variety of decor options, and the result of the home master's creative searches will be limited only by the flight of his imagination, time and materials.

Rules for caring for a painted table

The painted surface does not require much maintenance. But there are unacceptable things that can interfere with the smoothness or texture of the decorative finish.

Wipe a lacquered or polished table only with soft or microfiber napkins. Do not use coarse sponges, scrapers, or fabrics with fittings. This can leave marks or scratches on the countertop.
If you have varnished the surface of the furniture, do not clean it from dust with a wet method. This removes the natural shine and makes the lacquered table matte. Remove dust with a special brush or vacuum cleaner.
Unpolished surfaces can be washed, but so that the water does not stagnate. Remove excess liquid immediately and wipe the countertop dry.

wipe the table — Depending on the paint chosen, the wood can absorb water and swell.

Painting a table at home is easy. The main thing is to follow simple rules, safety precautions and fantasize. Perhaps the process of painting the table will captivate you so much that you will seriously get carried away with the restoration of furniture in the house.