How to paint a table: paint furniture step by step to avoid mistakes (Photo)

In this article you will learn how and what to paint old furniture, how long it takes and why it is needed at all.

I had a very beautifully shaped table, with beautiful fittings, solid, but wildly “tired”.

As you can see from the photo, it required minor restoration, which you can do yourself. Small chips and scratches are easily filled with thick paint, so I decided not to use putty, but simply paint the table in several layers.

My idea was to use two colors in one table: a dark graphite for the exterior details and a deep blue for the interior.

What was required to repaint this particular table:

• Degreaser. You can use any strong, colorless alcohol - maximum 20 ml.
• Chalk paint in two colors. 500 ml graphite color, 100 ml dark blue.
• The final coating is matte varnish. It can also be glossy. 200 ml.
• 2 brushes of different sizes.

And now about all the tools and materials in more detail, because... I made several mistakes that you can avoid.

Required tools and materials

To make a beautiful wooden tabletop and legs, you will need the following building materials:

• sandpaper;
• antiseptic;
• white primer;
• waterproof varnish or paint;
• masking tape.

You need to make sure you have the tools in advance:

• brushes and rollers;
• paint tray;
• grinding tool.

To paint your table while protecting your hands from harmful chemicals, make sure you have rubber gloves.

Interesting to know!

Dipped furniture is a popular home design trend that works well with kitchen tables and chairs. To try it out, paint the bottom half of your table legs. Or try the opposite: paint most of the table, but let the wood show through on the bottom half of the legs. A dipped look is a great way to introduce strong color. If you want to get really creative, consider using chalk paint on the top of your table. Children, for example, will draw while you prepare their breakfast, and adults will also have the pleasure of writing messages or reminders.

Which paint to choose?

The following types of paints are sold in stores:

• water-dispersed;
• oil;
• acrylic;
• alkyd;
• enamels for wooden surfaces.

You can paint wooden furniture using any of them. However, before purchasing, be sure to check the type of wood of the table so that the type of paint is chosen correctly. Then you will be able to do the job efficiently.

Water-dispersed

This type of paint is designed for furniture used in heated rooms. It contains no dangerous harmful substances. It is evenly distributed over the entire surface and dries quickly, so even an inexperienced painter can paint a wooden table. The paint creates a durable coating that is resistant to moisture. But it does not withstand mechanical stress when cleaning with abrasive particles. To avoid rapid wear and tear, it is better to wash such a table using a soft sponge.

Oily

The basis of oil paint is drying oil - a greasy agent, due to which the painted surface takes a long time to dry. Used for interior and exterior finishing of any wooden products. After application, a thin oily film remains, but after a short period of time it dries out and peels off.

This outdated type of painting work is used less and less, since modern enamels are more economical and wear-resistant.

Acrylic

After treatment with acrylic enamel, a beautiful glossy coating is formed on the surface, resistant to fading from the sun. The drying process does not require much time - a durable film appears within 15-60 minutes, depending on the conditions where the painting work is carried out. It is not harmed by mechanical impact, therefore, due to wear resistance, enamel outperforms other analogues.

Alkyd

If the table will be used outdoors, then it is better to opt for alkyd enamel. It has proven itself best when carrying out external work on finishing wooden surfaces. A rich color palette, glossy sheen and matte finish will allow you to get any desired result.

The paint withstands exposure to aggressive detergents, frost and direct sunlight. Available in the form of aerosol bottles and liquid. It should be taken into account that its strong smell can take a long time to disappear from the room.

Enamels for wooden surfaces

Using wood enamels allows you to repaint furniture to suit any color and taste. They allow you to protect surfaces from thermal and mechanical damage, which is especially important for countertops. Negative weather events do not harm them.

The main requirement when choosing enamel is that it matches the type of wood from which the table is made.

To increase the wear resistance of a table treated with enamel, after it has dried, the surface must be coated with waterproof varnish in at least 2 layers. This will give greater strength and extend the time until the next restoration.

Good paint is the key

Let's remember that properly preparing the surface for painting is only half the battle. A lot depends on the paint. Your requirements will be satisfied, first of all, by enamel, which creates durable coatings with high mechanical resistance. It is easy to get scratches and damage when using the table. For example, Dulux Rapidry . This is a universal, quick-drying acrylic enamel with a mild odor. A table painted with it will also be resistant to high temperatures and will not turn yellow or fade.

Black, green or red? Don't throw away your old wooden table - just paint it, preferably an attractive, surprising color.

Surface preparation and painting

It is better to disassemble the table if you plan to paint all its parts. If only the countertop requires updating, then you don’t have to do this. You only need to cover with masking tape those areas that will remain untreated.

Preparing the surface for painting includes the following steps:

1. Cover the floor with oilcloth or newspapers if you will be working indoors.
2. Using a sander or sandpaper, carefully sand the desired area of ​​wooden furniture. Remove any dust remaining after cleaning the table parts.
3. Defective areas are leveled with putty or primer of the same color as the paint. Let the treated surface dry.
4. Pour the paint into the tray and use a brush or roller to apply it to the parts, evenly distributing layer by layer until you achieve the desired effect.
5. When using an aerosol, shake the bottle first. Apply paint from a distance of 30-50 centimeters from the tabletop and legs.
6. Allow the previous coat to dry before applying a new coat.

To increase the wear resistance of the paint, you can apply an additional layer of acrylic varnish on top of it after drying. 10 hours after treatment, you can remove the masking tape.

Is primer required?

Prime the table using roll/brush primer. Roll-on/brush-on formulas are best for high-traffic surfaces as they tend to be thicker and more durable than spray-on formulas. Apply 1 coat of primer using a mini foam roller or medium brush. Allow this coat to dry before applying a second coat.

Primer helps the paint adhere to the wood and hides any stains or discoloration. Between layers, wrap the roller or brush in a plastic bag and place it in the refrigerator. This will keep the paint wet and save cleaning time between coats.

Be sure to fill any cracks or holes in the table with good wood filler. Be sure to follow the instructions and let the filler dry to the point where you can sand it well.

Decorating the table surface

The painting of the table will be decorated in an original way if you use the decorative technique of decoupage. It is important to decide on the color and pattern, which should be in harmony with the overall interior of the room. For example, an image of a geographical map will go well with the interior of an office if it is placed on the surface of a desk.

Specialized stores for decoupage sell napkins with various designs, so choosing a suitable design will not be difficult. Or you can go the other way and make the table lace using tulle. Here you need to rely on your imagination, and your table will become a piece of art.

Decoupage technique in vintage style

To paint a countertop in vintage style, you will need the following materials and tools:

• sanding machine or sandpaper;
• glue (use PVA or special decoupage glue);
• aqualak;
• primer;
• varnish for a wooden table;
• decoupage cards or drawings, photographs from magazines;
• a jar of white acrylic paint or other light colors;
• fan brush or roller.

Choosing a color scheme for an old table

The choice of color depends entirely on the owner of the table and his preferences. This could be bright, rich shades, creating the illusion of a wooden texture, painting the countertop white or metallic, etc.

• Juicy tones: light green, yellow, scarlet, blue

Such color solutions will “fit” well into a modern style, where such furniture will become a bright detail of the interior of the room.

• White or black color

This is the best option for those owners who are pretty tired of the “native” color of the table or countertop and decided to make it more “neutral”.

This solution will suit any interior and will become its laconic highlight. When painting a table correctly, its wood texture will be hidden under a uniform layer of paint.

• Metallic

Painting all furniture or its parts in metallic colors is a successful solution for design in a classic or high-tech style.

Varnishing a wooden table: recommendations from experts

The choice of furniture in modern furniture stores is quite wide, as is the material from which it is made. But products made from natural wood have not lost their attractiveness. For example, a kitchen set made of solid wood. Such a product will be 2-3 times cheaper if you order it from a craftsman. You can try to assemble it yourself, even better. That parts for such furniture are also widely available in stores. But, we will talk about what kind of varnish to cover a wooden table so that the furniture is protected from all kinds of damage and is pleasing to the eye.

Benefits of painting furniture yourself

What are the benefits of painting yourself?

• Confidence in the quality of work performed.
• Possibility to choose the desired color and dyeing method.
• Such furniture is easier to “fit” into the interior.
• It's easy to bring new ideas to life or simply restore individual pieces of furniture.

Painting is one of the fastest and most effective techniques in furniture decor.

Varnish selection

Preferences in choosing a paint material depend only on consumers. Our task is to familiarize them with the properties of each type. Varnishes for table coverings are:

• Water-based are the most environmentally friendly. The substance is almost odorless and does not pose a health hazard to the consumer. Water-based varnishes are most often used for children's furniture. But professional craftsmen rarely use them, since after drying the treated surface becomes matte.
• Acrylic-based materials are affordable and quite easy to process. It is best for beginning craftsmen to start with these varnishes. If mistakes are made during the work process, they can be easily corrected. To do this, use white spirit or grind the surface.
• Polyurethane based and recommended for professional craftsmen. It is better to apply this substance by spray. In this case, the surface will look quite stylish. It is better to purchase such material in branded stores.
• For very expensive wood, specialized furniture oils are used. This composition is quite expensive, so it is rarely used. Apply only by hand using a swab.

How to paint

Painting wooden furniture with your own hands, including a table, will not be difficult if you know what materials to use in your work. The painting technology itself is similar to other types of painting work.

The choice of a suitable coating depends on the characteristics of the use of the furniture. The kitchen cutting table is subject to numerous external influences, just like the dining table. Wooden furniture on the veranda, terrace in the gazebo or just in the yard is subject to increased atmospheric influences. The surfaces of decorative tables, more often used as stands, are less subject to mechanical stress.

For treating furniture used indoors, the best protective coating is water-dispersed acrylic paints. They are non-toxic and therefore suitable for interior work. They apply well and dry quickly, so even a non-professional can paint them with their own hands. They have a wide palette of colors and shades. After drying, they provide the wood with excellent protection from moisture.

The water dispersion allows for simple correction of work flaws while the paint is not dry: just rinse with water. The dried decorative coating becomes impervious to moisture. It is not afraid of ultraviolet exposure and is frost-resistant.

Water-dispersed acrylic paints are the best protective coating indoors

However, acrylic paints are subject to abrasion and mechanical stress. Aggressive chemical environments are also not desirable for such surfaces.

To paint a dining table with high quality, you can choose any water-based paint or varnish. But for exterior woodwork, alkyd mixtures are more often used. They create a strong, durable protective coating that perfectly repels water.

At one time, oil paints were widely used. But with the advent of cost-effective analogues (oil paints have unreasonably high consumption), as well as more environmentally friendly compositions, they have lost their relevance.

The table can also be painted with enamel; these materials do the job well. A durable coating is formed on the surface, sufficiently resistant to various influences, light-insensitive, and has anti-corrosion resistance. Enamels and enamel paints have a decorative appeal, as they are glossy (although there are also matte mixtures). Nitro-enamel compounds are quick-drying; they only need a quarter of an hour to set.

By the way, the choice of a suitable type of coating directly depends on the type of wood from which the table is made. Oily (coniferous) woods respond better to waxing than painting.

Enamels and enamel paints have decorative appeal

We have already mentioned that operating conditions and the nature of the environment play an important role when choosing materials for painting wooden products. If you plan to restore a previously painted table with your own hands, experts recommend choosing a coating with characteristics similar to the old one.

Tips for choosing varnish color

For beginning craftsmen, a very important question is what shade to choose varnish for a wooden table. The customer must also put an end to this issue. You can not disturb the natural texture of the wood or cover it in the color of cherry or walnut. But you don’t always get the result you expect. To prevent this, you should familiarize yourself with some features:

• Colorless varnish will not always preserve the original appearance of wood. Most often it gives the wooden surface a yellowish appearance. Therefore, if it is necessary to maintain the original shade, it is better to use polyurethane materials. They eliminate the appearance of yellowness.
• When visiting branded stores, sellers will provide a large assortment of colors to choose from. To get the color that you prefer, it is better to take a color that is 2-3 tones lighter. After all, the desired gloss on a wooden surface is formed only after applying 5 or 6 layers. With each subsequent layer, the shade will become darker.
• In the case when 2-3 layers are applied and the result is the desired surface color, but the required gloss is achieved, then this problem can be solved with the help of colorless varnish.
• Varnishing should begin only after high-quality sanding has been completed.

Custom-made furniture in St. Petersburg

Fog Wood offers high-quality custom-made countertops. We offer residents of St. Petersburg and the region countertops of any shape and size, made from solid wood. We will make products for the kitchen, bathroom, children's room or office. The width of the material reaches 1200 mm, and the length – 4000 mm. This means that we can make a tabletop of any configuration and size from a single monolith.

Specialists will help you fill out an application for developing a project and manufacturing an oak countertop, recommending the type of wood, type of material, and thickness. You can find out in advance the cost of a moisture-resistant countertop by filling out the form on the website, indicating the dimensions or providing a drawing. During the production process, we will impregnate the material with protective compounds and paint it in the color of your choice. We will organize delivery to any point in St. Petersburg and the region, install, cut holes for household equipment and kitchen appliances. The warranty period is 3 years.

How to coat wooden surfaces for their decoration and protection

All wooden structures used in the construction of buildings must be subjected to coating treatment. This will not only increase their wear resistance, but also significantly improve their appearance. The paints and varnishes used for this serve as reliable protection against moisture and ultraviolet radiation, which have a detrimental effect on wood. However, they must be used at the earliest stage of construction.

Wooden surfaces experience constant loads, the degree of which depends both on the location of the building and cardinal directions, and on many other factors. The material wears out especially strongly in the coastal zone and in open spaces. At the same time, the wall of the building located in the north wears out much less than on the southern and western sides.

How and with what to coat a wooden fence for durability

Why does wood need painting?

Everyone knows that natural wood is a fairly strong and durable material. It is used not only in the production of furniture, utensils, household goods and interior items, but also in construction. Under the influence of external environments, wood, one way or another, deteriorates over the years:

• swells or, conversely, oversaturates;
• rots when exposed to moisture;
• fades, fades or darkens;
• warps and deforms;
• is attacked by wood borers;
• wears out, gets chipped.

Painting wooden surfaces - a whim or a necessity

Since wood is a natural material, it can be destroyed under the influence of certain factors. Among which:

How to cover a wooden table outdoors yourself

What needs attention

The wear resistance of painted wood depends not only on its quality.

This factor is also directly influenced by the correct layout of building structures, which needs to be taken care of in advance:

• make wider overhangs;
• increase the height of the plinth;
• paint the joints of the seams and parts of the boards located below with your own hands;
• make the shape of the roof of a wooden house correct and provide it with a drainage system;
• leave an opening under the outer skin for ventilation.

Tip: Lumber is constantly exposed to the environment, so it should be kept covered on the construction site, allowing access to air.

How to cover a wooden door outside in a private house

Three-layer painting system

In order for the wood to last as long as possible, a three-layer painting system should be used.

1. Apply the first layer of antiseptic primer, which protects the wood from moisture and fungal formation.
2. Next, use a primer paint that allows the finishing coat to be absorbed evenly. In this case, both topcoat paint and a special primer can be used.
3. A topcoat paint, oil or acrylate, is used as the finishing layer. It is used to give a wooden structure the required color and shine, and serves as additional protection by creating a paint film on the surface.

The need to varnish the countertop

Wood is the most common material for the production of home furniture. Tables, chairs and cabinets made of natural wood look impressive and are very expensive. To reduce the cost of production, natural veneer, MDF, chipboard and multi-layer plywood are often used. Regardless of the source material used, wood fibers actively absorb moisture from the environment, which leads to furniture deformation.

Varnish creates a thin protective layer on the surface of the wood that prevents water molecules from entering the fibers. The hygroscopicity of wood is fixed at the same level, thereby guaranteeing a long service life of the furniture. Modern varnish for countertops also protects the finish from minor scratches and chips, and also improves the wood's fire protection.

Varnish protects wood from moisture Source purplemint.ru

Decorative properties of table varnish

Quite often in furniture hypermarkets you can find countertops made of natural wood without finishing. Given the poor protection from external factors and the unattractive appearance, future owners will be faced with the problem of how to paint the table to make it more attractive. The selected material not only protects, but also allows you to completely change the color of the finished product due to the coloring substances added to the varnishes. The most common natural colors are:

• wenge or rosewood - dark wood;
• walnut and chestnut – natural brown shade;
• rosewood – mahogany;
• pine and pear – light colors.

Multi-colored varnishes to change the shade of the countertop Source sdelai-lestnicu.ru
There are varnishes that paint the surface of the countertops in all the colors of the rainbow. This material is best suited for products made from chipboard or MDF - these surfaces do not need to emphasize the natural pattern. To preserve the natural color, use a clear varnish on the countertop.

Main types of wood varnish

The huge range of products presented in large construction stores can confuse the inexperienced person. At first glance, the varnishes differ only in the manufacturer and the price asked for them. Given the diversity presented, it is difficult to track the fundamental differences in the materials presented. However, it is the choice of the varnish that is most suitable for certain conditions that will decorate the table and extend its service life.

Table varnish is chosen based on future operating conditions Source deccoria.pl

See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in paints and varnishes and related work

The main differences between the copies presented on the shelves are the liquid base and chemical compounds responsible for giving the product a finished appearance. Varnish for wood countertops can be alcohol, water, oil or polyurethane. After drying, it can form either a matte or glossy surface.

Alcohol varnishes for countertops

Such liquids consist of resins dissolved in alcohol. After drying, a dense protective film is formed. When choosing a product, you need to pay attention to the strength of the alcohol used. The recommended indicator for purchase is 90% or higher.

Since repainting a table with this varnish is quite simple, many people choose it as the most time-tested product. The application technique does not require special knowledge or tools. The varnish can be filled with coloring pigments to emphasize the pattern of natural wood.

Alcohol varnish for wood Source livemaster.ru

Polyurethane varnish compositions for countertops

After drying, polyurethane varnish becomes durable and elastic, so it is excellent for protecting the most vulnerable surfaces - country tables and garden furniture. The artificial material does not turn yellow over time and is not toxic to humans and pets. A distinctive feature of this varnish is the fastest possible hardening compared to other types of products.

Oil varnishes for tables

The presented type of products is characterized by a low price due to the cheapness of the starting materials - oil, resins and coloring pigments. Compared to alcohol varnishes, it has a thicker consistency, and therefore requires more attention when processing wooden surfaces. After drying, a dense layer is formed that reliably protects the tree from all external threats.

Oil varnish for countertops Source tildacdn.com

Finishing materials

Coating with special oils and wax for wood will help protect the wood from many negative factors. However, stain, whose price is lower, is also suitable for these purposes. Although the waxing process is quite complicated, it can be done at home.

How to use stain

Protective compounds and stain are applied to the already prepared wood in the same way as paint. A uniformly colored surface can be achieved if these materials are applied quickly and continuously so that the entire surface dries evenly. If any area dries faster, the border will remain noticeable.

In the photo - wood stain for decorative work

Each of the wooden sections is painted with stain in stages by applying in the direction of the grain. Do not wet the brush too much, otherwise drops will form on the surface. If this cannot be avoided, the drops should be thoroughly smeared, not allowing them to dry out.

You also need to ensure that at the junction of sections of the structure, the layers do not overlap each other. Considering the technological complexity of this process, you should first practice.

Waxing

The most convenient material for applying wax is a piece of cloth, but some compounds can also be applied with a brush. To create deeper color and shine, the material must be applied in two layers.

Applying wax or coating on wooden furniture for durability

Tip: It is more effective to apply wax in the direction of the grain, but this is not a necessary condition.

To treat the surface you need:

• Use a piece of soft cloth to collect wax from the container;
• start rubbing;
• when particles of coating begin to remain on the surface, the rubbing process can be considered complete;
• then the wax should dry, but not harden;
• after which polishing is carried out to ensure smoothness using a clean rag.

After a certain service life of the wooden structure, waxing can be repeated.

Protecting wood with oil

The oil serves as additional protection against adverse factors affecting the wooden surface. Whatever the oil used for processing, they are all applied in the same way.

Depending on the purpose of the surface being treated, the following oils are used:

• tung is non-toxic, so its use is ideal for treating countertops and other surfaces used for food preparation;
• Danish and teak are used for processing hardwood and outdoor furniture, giving them a special gloss;
• linseed oil is suitable for treating any surface, but requires preliminary boiling (preferably double boiling), which allows it to dry faster and eliminates stickiness.

Any of the oils is applied with a soft brush, generously moistened with the composition, in the direction of the fibers with rubbing movements, which allows you to cover large areas and penetrate deeper into the structure of the wood. After absorption, excess oil is removed with a piece of cloth. If there are no other instructions in the instructions for the composition, the wood should be left for half an hour, and then polished with a dry rag.

What is the best way to cover a wooden table in the kitchen?

How to work with varnish

Despite the fact that varnishing does not require special care, this material must be applied along the grain and in good lighting, as it is often colorless, which is why some areas may remain untreated. You should also regularly check treated areas for gaps.

Coating wooden walls inside with acrylic varnish

Tip: each section should be processed in stages, while even application of varnish is possible with smooth brush work.

Before applying the next layer, you need to take a damp cloth and wipe off the first one. This action is explained by the fact that the varnish tends to spread along the fibers of the wooden surface.

Wood paint requires protection

To obtain the required shade, paints are often mixed with each other. But before moving on to this process, you need to make sure that they have the same base, which can be either water or oil.

The paint is applied along the fibers, without overlapping the already dry and wet areas with each other. Please note that coloring alone is not enough.

The material also often requires a protective layer - wax or varnish. But before you start applying it, you need to make sure that the finishing materials used are compatible with each other.

How to paint a table white?

Despite the light shade, painting white increases the service life of products made from pine or birch, oak or beech.

1. We clean the objects from dust and remove the old coating.
2. To highlight edges, slats or carved decorations, paint them dark.
3. To create a natural appearance, rub the painted areas with wax.
4. Repaint with white paint in several layers. After each coating, you must wait until it dries completely.
5. The waxed areas must then be rubbed with a knife.
6. We sand all areas with fine sandpaper.

For whitening, a special composition is used, which includes wax and pigment. During processing, lines are formed that give the product an antique appearance. The work is carried out in the following sequence:

1. Dust is wiped off the furniture.
2. Previous layers are removed.
3. Colorful material is applied.
4. Using a metal wood brush, small indentations are created in the direction of the grain.
5. The cavities are filled with whitening paste.
6. After drying, wipe the surface with a dry cloth.
7. Everything is covered with varnish.