Introduction: Refinishing a Table

There you are sitting at your old scratched up dining room table with water stains and non-indigenous, non-fashionable imperfections. You wish you didn't have to stare at that fact that you can't afford a new dining room set, but alas, your reality for being a teacher is the fact that you cannot afford nice things. Furniture is not cheap, and dining room furniture is no exception. So what are you going to do?

Get a new job? Probably not.

Maybe the answer isn't buying a new table, but making a table "new." What about refinishing an old table?

Step 1: Materials Needed

Before you get started, you are going to need a few materials. Here are the essentials.

  1. A table
  2. Orbital sander
  3. 80 grit sand paper
  4. 120 grit sand paper
  5. 220 grit sand paper
  6. Bucket for water
  7. Cotton towel
  8. Face Mask
  9. Primer
  10. Enamel Paint (2 quarts)
  11. Paint brush
  12. Roller cover
  13. Paint trays

Step 2: Process Pitfalls

Before you begin this job, there are few "pitfalls" you need to be aware of.

  1. Sanding is a dirty job, so make sure you a space to work in where you can contain the dust or easily clean it up like a garage or workshop.
  2. If you do not have a workshop, you will want to enclose the area with plastic and tape.
  3. You will want to clean up after each session to avoid creating a bigger mess or damaging your tools or table.
  4. When you are ready to paint the table, you will want to make sure that your workspace is impeccable. Any dust or debris in the air will land on the table and affect your finish.
  5. Be patient. You are saving hundred of dollars, so take your time.

Step 3: Preparing the Table

  1. Clean the table with a damp cloth and water.
  2. Dry the table completely.
  3. The orbital sander will do the majority of the work for you, so do not apply too much pressure to the sander as you move it across the table with the grain.
  4. For the initial sanding of the table, use a low grit (80) to remove the finish.

Step 4: Priming the Table

Before you being, make sure that you have a fully charged blue-tooth speaker.

  1. After you have sanded and cleaned your table, be sure to limit the amount of air flow to reduce dust and debris from finding its way onto your table.
  2. Use a can of spray primer to ensure that you have complete coverage of the table. This makes it much easier to apply an even coat to round edges. It also makes it easy to completely cover corners without clumping the paint in the corners and crannies.
  3. After spraying on the primer, use a roller to apply the first coat of primer to the table.
  4. Be sure to saturate the roller to ensure an even coat.
  5. Again, allow the tool to the work. Do not apply too much pressure to the roller.
  6. After you completely cover the table, allow it to completely dry.
  7. Sand the primer using 180 grit sand paper, and prime again.

Step 5: Painting the Table