Top coat or no?

7 years ago

I've painted these two old, hand me down end tables from my grandmother and am trying to figure out if they need some sort of top coat. The general internet is not helping me.
I recently tackled a huge wall to wall built in using pro classic oil paint, took 30+ hrs but turned out beautifully. These would not be heavily used (to be bedside tables in a new house guest room) so I opted out of oil based. I asked at Sherwin Williams and they recommended the All Purpose Enamel, water based interior/exterior in satin.
I cleaned, sanded with 220 grit, wiped with tack cloth, primed with Zinsser BIN, and put on 3 coats of this paint. I have bad memories at my old house of paint lifting off windowsills when removing plants, despite using plastic base protectors.
Do these need a top coat or just a super long curing time?
I've been reading up on water based polyurethane. Is this a good idea? Best brand? (And is there a difference between this and polycrylic?)
Thanks!

Featured Answer

AnnKH

7 years ago

I have 2 oak end tables, and my grandfather's ash desk (which I refinished many years ago) in my living room. All three have a sheet of glass on top, cut to fit. I don't remember exactly how much I paid for the glass, but I know I considered it very cheap insurance at the time.

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Comments (10)

cat_ky
7 years ago
I wouldnt coat them. When they are coated, it gives a bit of plastic look. I would probably have used furniture paint on them though, so the finish would be a bit tougher. Just let them cure and give it a try. You can always recoat them at some later date, if you need to.
Allison
Original Author
7 years ago
Cat_ky - what exactly is furniture paint? I researched high and low for the best type of paint (preferably water based this time) to use for an end table and got anything from chalk paint, enamel, milk paint, to latex.
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cat_ky
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Allison, here is just one example. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Valspar-Furniture-Satin-Latex-Paint-Actual-Net-Contents-29-fl-oz/999918078?cm_mmc=SCE_PLA--Paint--InteriorStains-_-999918078:Valspar&CAWELAID=&kpid=999918078&CAGPSPN=pla&store_code=2776&k_clickID=go_625682584_34615003750_111134766190_pla-451485471832_c_9014701&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIh8OC6uOE4AIVm0sNCh20Dg3eEAQYASABEgKYgvD_BwE Cabinet paint would work too.

Sorry to take so long answering you, but, I did a dumb thing 3 wks ago, and fractured my hip, and ended up being screwed together. Takes me much longer to get anything done right now. :-)
Business_Name_Placeholder
7 years ago
I would have used BM advance on those. Dries to a much harder finish. Ace hardware has a cabinet paint called Alcatex which is like Advance. These are water clean up oil paint. If you don’t want to put a waterborne finish on these then have a glass top cut for the top and call it done!
Business_Name_Placeholder
7 years ago
BTW, you did a nice job. Very cute tables!
Allison
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks all - some good advice for furniture going forward! I also wouldn't have thought of the glass top option, so that's helpful.
I wound up doing a topcoat called Protect by Velvet Finishes. We shall see how it holds up, but I do love how the tables turned out overall!
w0lley32
7 years ago
I would go to a glass fabricator with the tables and have a protective glass made to put on top. That's what I did for an octagonal table I have from my grandmother and it cost me like $60. It will also protect your tables from an eventual spill.
lovemrmewey
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
You must be careful to not let liquids get under your glass!
Allison
Original Author
7 years ago
Liquids and such hopefully won't be a problem for these tables. They will just be bedside tables in a guest room of our new house -so it will mainly be my inlaws using them very sparingly...let's hope they're not banging them up and are sensible enough to use coasters!