i am hardware

just searching for sawdust and sunshine

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Project Gallery
  • 2018 DIY Projects
  • Supporters
  • About

2014/02/19 by: Sarah

Painting a Kitchen Table

paint a kitchen table happy yellow

My happy yellow table is finished! I love it! My husband rarely thinks projects are a great idea, so when he continually said, “so…. what are you going to do about this table” I knew it was serious. In the spirit of full disclosure I must say that yellow is not my favorite color, but every time I thought of fixing our table it is the only color that came to mind. I tried to shake it, but finally gave in. When a friend was over I asked what she thought of painting a table yellow (because I seek validation ya’know) and she was instantly on board. Whesh, one cool friend thinks it’s a good idea… Her daughter’s room is painted a beautiful “SW 6695 Midday” yellow. Since I get super distracted by paint color names (am I the only one who does that!?) I matched that color but went one paint strip more mustardy and found the perfect yellow Sherwin Williams “Solaria”!

paint a kitchen table yellow!

I followed a tutorial on Centsational Girl found here… and will show you some of my pictures, instructions, and what-I-wish-I-would-have-done’s. Let’s start with the steps:

  1. Gather materials
  2. Prep table for painting. I had to sand because my table looked like this.
  3. Prime the table, two coats!
  4. Paint, two coats!
  5. Apply protective coat (one or two coats)

The pattern really is basically Clean.Paint.Dry.Sand.Repeat. over and over. Child’s play right? And now, the nitty gritty.

Materials:

  • Paint brush (Purdy is my favorite!)
  • Primer, I like the Zinnser brush on (cheaper)
  • Paint: I used a Clark & Kensington paint
  • Rags
  • Drop cloth
  • Protective layer: I used Helsman semi-gloss

Step 1: Sand down and chipping paint, smooth out edges, fill in cracks and get the table smooth… unless of course you don’t want smooth!

paint a kitchen table sand it down

Step 2: Clean your table with a tack cloth (also called a cheese cloth) or a lint free rag before adding the primer. Yep, that’s a blue surgical towel that I always use… that’s my benefit from my bff getting back surgery! You need two (sorry, it really is two) coats of primer. Allow at least 8-10 hours in between coats. I always let my project dry overnight before re-coating.

paint a kitchen table cleanpaint a kitchen table 1st primer coat

Step 3: Sand down any drips on your primer and make sure your table is covered.

paint a kitchen table sand primer coat

Step 4: Time to paint! Apply a thin coat with your paint brush and allow it to dry (like overnight). Just a note, I am always afraid of curves like on the pedestal, but with a good paintbrush it is honestly easier than a long flat surface like a table top.

paint a kitchen table yellow! finished 2 paint a kitchen table 1st paint coat

Step 5: Sand any bad spots first, then apply your second coat of paint and let it dry (it’s so hard to wait!) I let mine dry for three days.By the way… you can keep your paintbrushes in the fridge overnight wrapped in plastic so you don’t have to clean it all the time:

paint a kitchen table sand between coats paint a kitchen table wet 2nd paint coatpaint a kitchen table keep brushes in the fridge

Step 6: Apply protective layer, allow it to dry. Sand any missteps before continuing. I used the Helsman brand, that also comes in a spray, because a different all-wise-furniture-painting friend swears by it.

paint a kitchen table protective coatpaint a kitchen table wet 2nd paint coat paint a kitchen table 2nd paint coat

Step 7: (This is one that I wish I had skipped!) Apply a second layer if you want to after the first has dried.

Step 8: Enjoy your table FOREVER!

paint a kitchen table yellow! finished 4 paint a kitchen table yellow! finished 3 paint a kitchen table finished yellow homework tablepaint a kitchen table yellow! finished pedastal paint a kitchen table yellow! finished 5

And here is my celebratory treat!

paint a kitchen table finished celebration

I couldn’t achieve the “no brush strokes” look I was hoping for, but it still looks great. Next time I paint however I am going to buy FLAT paint and achieve a sheen through the protective coat. For a project this size, it could even be a sample size and I could save some big bucks (well, $10). ALSO, I would only do one coat of urethane, unless I was using spray paint and I would do two. Live and learn I guess.

Happy Creating!

You May Also Like...

  • Teen Boys Bedroom RevealTeen Boys Bedroom Reveal
  • Refinishing Furniture: DresserRefinishing Furniture: Dresser
  • Teen Bedroom Ideas — Total Makeover for less than $500Teen Bedroom Ideas — Total Makeover for less than $500
  • Simple Chair Redo in under an hour. No kidding.Simple Chair Redo in under an hour. No kidding.
Apartment Therapy DIY Contest
Installing a Light Dimmer

Comments

  1. Jenn Rogers says

    2016/02/03 at 12:19 am

    cool color. i wouldn’t think of doing yellow, but i love it.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow Hardware

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Search for your favorite projects and posts:

Subscribe

Instagram
Join my Instagram Party!

Pindiana Jones – Follow Me!

Be featured!

woodworking plane

Hey Readers! Do you have an awesome REMODEL, a spectacular ETSY shop, a mind-boggling PROJECT, or just a fantastic house you would like to share on … [Read More...]

Recent Posts

  • Kitchen Remodel on a Budget
  • Laundry Room Remodel Progress
  • How To Decorate a Bookshelf
  • Flashback! Ana White Console Table
  • Build Your Own Computer Desk

Project Catagories

Crowd Favorites

Industrial Pendant Lamp — Easy Ikea Hack

industrial light

DIY Ski Storage Racks

How To Fix Toys (or anything) That Have Battery Corrosion

how to clean battery corrosion vinegar and a toothbrush

Overhead Hanging Storage

Parsons Chair Slipcover Tutorial

Parson Chair Slipcover

Featured on these awesome sites:

I was featured on Remodelaholic!
  • Home
  • Project Gallery

© 2021 · Fun Genesis WordPress Theme by, Pretty Darn Cute Design