Friday, May 16, 2014

Make an OLD table like NEW!

paint a kitchen table, polyshades, how to paint a kitchen table, kitchen decor, painting, kitchens

Hello there! What have you been up to this past week?

I've been pretty busy. The weather has been so nice, and I was finally able to get outside. Yessss! No more secretly using spray paint in the basement!

This pedestal table was the first thing on my "nice weather to-do list".  Look at that top. Um, Ew.


paint a kitchen table, polyshades, how to paint a kitchen table, kitchen decor, painting, kitchens

Despite it's current state, it's been in our family for ages. I grew up eating dinner at this table. I have so many memories of sitting around that table...

Julie, eat your dinner,
Julie, stop laughing at the table, 
Julie, stop throwing peas at your sister, 
Julie, where were you last night, 
Julie, you're grounded for the next twelve years...

Ahhhh. Good times.

My parents eventually handed the table down to me, (no doubt wishing those memories would go away). Over the years, I managed to destroy the top of the table.

Well, in my defense, I had a little help from these guys:


(They look nice, but they're like the terminator team. 
We should re-name the little one Wreck it Ralph.)

The table top has been hammered, scratched, glued, and even had pumpkins rot on it. I've wanted to re-finish it forever. 

I decided to paint the top and leave the rest of the table in its original color. I went with black to match my kitchen island, which has black cabinets. Also because I simply love the look of black table tops with the natural base. Love.

My original plan was to prime the top, and then paint it, and then polyurethane the heck out of it.  I looked around at all of the paints offered by The Home Depot, and while in "The Home Depot Vortex", I ran into Polyshades by Minwax ~ and took a gamble.


The directions said that you do not need to prime OR sand because the "stain" would adhere to anything. However MY table surface had been so damaged over the years I wanted to start with a clean slate. So I sanded down to the unfinished wood.

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I started with 80 grit sandpaper and worked my way to 120 for a smooth finish. This took me about an hour.

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The table still had a few dings and divots, but it was smooth. I taped off the edge of the table. (After all was said and done, I changed my mind, and ended up painting that edge.)

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After one coat with the Polyshades, this is what it looked like. Very streaky. I was beginning to question my choice of Polyshades. BUT...

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After the second coat the table looked awesome, with a solid black finish. (However, being the kitchen table, I used two more coats and I had a very glossy finish. Perfect for the kitchen, and high use.)

paint a kitchen table, polyshades, how to paint a kitchen table, kitchen decor, painting, kitchens

Using the Polyshades it took me two days to paint four coats. Part of the delay was a rainy day...

A note about the Polyshades (I'm not being paid to review Polyshades or any fun stuff like that) ~ I am in love. However, Polyshades has mixed reviews on Amazon. Criticism seems to be from people complaining that this is not a stain and that it doesn't apply like a stain. However, I bought it as a poly - with color it it. It applies like a polyurethane, but is the color of paint. It leaves a high gloss finish and was perfect for a kitchen table. I'm so glad I tried it. If you have a table or chairs, that don't need a ton of sanding, it saves using primer.  I'm totally using the Polyshades to repaint my black front porch rocking chairs.

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17 comments:

Erlene said...

Your table turned out fabulous. Good to know about the product. Did you do your chairs in it too?

Unknown said...

Erlene, Thank you ~ I'm so happy with it! I spray painted the chairs last summer - but I'm going to put a coat of the polyshades on them too! Nothing in this house is safe now - I already painted a vase with it - seems it works on ceramics too... Julia

Natasha in Oz said...

You did a brilliant job with your table. The high gloss finish looks really good.

If you have a minute to spare I'd be thrilled if you could pop by and share your post at my weekly Say G'Day Saturday linky party. It's on now and this would be a wonderful addition.

Best wishes,
Natasha in Oz

Unknown said...

Thank you so much Natasha! I will stop over at your party ~ Julia

Ashley @ 3 Little Greenwoods said...


Great tutorial! Your table looks awesome!

Thanks so much for sharing your creativity at our Show-Licious Craft & Recipe Party!

~ Ashley

Unknown said...

Thank you Ashley! I'm so glad you're here! Julia

Christine said...

Oh!!! Love the new look!

Unknown said...

Thank you Christine! Glad you dropped by! Julia

Natasha in Oz said...

I just popped back to say thanks for joining the Say G'day Saturday linky Party! I know there are a lot of linky parties out there so I really appreciate your support.

Best wishes,
Natasha in Oz

Carmody said...

Great Post! I grew up with the "before" table.

Sum of their Stories said...

Wow that looks great. I love it when we get genuine comments about a product, it really does help to know how someone has used it and how it went.

Unknown said...

Natasha ~ you're the best! Thank YOU for your party! Julia

Julia ~ thank YOU! The polyshades product is pretty great imho!

Carmody~ thanks for stopping by my blog! I have many memories of that table! Julia

Unknown said...

Looks great! I need to do my kitchen table. I will keep this for ideas! Thank you!

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing with 4 seasons blog hop. I feel very good the way you refurbish the table.. I do that too.. Haha. Have a nice day

Unknown said...

Thanks Ken! I'm glad you stopped by ~ Julia

Bobbi @ 3GLOL said...

Thanks so much for linking up with us at Teach Me Tuesday! Hope to see you again this week.

http://3glol.net/category/teachmetuesday/

Have a great week!!

Crystelle said...

I'm so glad you were able to renew that gorgeous old table. So many happy memories... You are so lucky to have the family heirloom in your home..... Congrats on a job well done!! :)
hugs x, Crystelle
Crystelle Boutique