Refinish Dining Table help needed!

12 years ago

I am in the middle of refinishing a dining room table that my toddlers beat up pretty well. The first picture is the look I was going for (black legs and bottom, cherry top) I started with the top and sanded it all down. But when I went to stain it, it came out very uneven and the dark spots are very dark. (I'm guessing the table is pine) I don't want to add another coat or it would lose much contrast with a dark bottom. So At this point I am thinking I leave the bottom and the chairs (since that is all fine anyway) and paint the top black with some distressed look, so the flip of the pic I was going for. Keep in mind I have 3 toddlers, 2, 2 and 4. (translate - I am beyond busy) so this would drastically reduce the scope of the project, a big plus. Would it look nice though? If so, how would I create that look on the top? Keep in mind the under stain is already done, so that's good! (Also, I am a newbie. I've never refinished furniture before!)

Featured Answer

handymam

12 years ago

If you mean you want to paint the top of the table black and leave the rest as is, then just prime the top and paint it black. Ask at your paint or home store what kind of paint they suggest, as you want something that will withstand the toddlers.

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Comments (7)

hayleydaniels
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Painting the table will look fine.
Erin Royer-Asrilant thanked hayleydaniels
handymam
12 years ago
I am really not sure what you are asking when you say you want to know how to create that look on top...

In order to have not gotten that spotty look, you should have applied a wood conditioner before staining I think.

If you really want the look in the first pic at this point, why not use paint for the whole thing? Prime everything first--very important step if you want it to last. Then, paint everything except the top black. Find a color like the wood top and paint it. OR, prime everything except the top and paint them black. Use paint in a color like the stained tabletop to wash color over the stain that you put on. If you thin the paint down, you can apply it to the top and wipe some of it off, allowing the grain to still show through.
Erin Royer-Asrilant thanked handymam
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Erin Royer-Asrilant
Original Author
12 years ago
I guess it wasn't really clear! What I was asking, is that if I go for the look in the pic but for the top of the table (instead of the legs) how do I create the distressed look? I have the stain (that would be underneath) complete so it could show through. This will become the formal dining table so I'm not as concerned about it's withstanding toddlers since we will rarely, if ever, eat in there (the new house has off white carpet in the formal dining area!) We will be using the kitchen table instead. But I do want it to look smooth and last. I painted my daughter's stool and it started peeling right away. So it probably needs a finish on top of the paint?
Curt D'Onofrio
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
3 coats of polyurethane over the paint. After the first coat, sand it down with steel wool until the surface feels really smooth, then apply the second coat. Again, use steel wool, then apply the final layer. This is the method we used to poly our hard wood floors. Came out really smooth! Couldn't walk fast on floor wearing socks, too slippery :)
Erin Royer-Asrilant thanked Curt D'Onofrio
heather_11
12 years ago
If you are time poor i would paint the top black and leave the rest as is. Look at annie sloan chalk paint. Google it for table top hints. I wouldnt do the distressed look mylself but if that is the look you want then for for it. Use a roller for a smoother finish
Erin Royer-Asrilant thanked heather_11
Erin Royer-Asrilant
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks All for the input! I ended up doing a light sand (with 220) then doing a wash with shellac and denatured alcohol mix. Then applied two coats of a dark brown glaze. It turned out really nice. It's very dark but the grain shows through. The dark brown matches the darker color used in the routed details in the legs. I'm now in the process of doing the urethane coats. I plan to get some chocolate brown micro-sued for the chair seats. I think it will look very nice! I'll try to post a pic when it is complete!