How to Add a New Surface to Your Coffee Table

Preparing Your Coffee Table for a New Surface

• 1

  Sand wood, composite and plastic surfaces lightly to remove flaking paint and smooth over scratches and other imperfections.

• 2

  Rub away rust or flaking paint from metal coffee table surfaces using super fine steel wool.

• 3

  Prime the coffee table's legs, sides and underside using spray primer rated for the table's material type. Spray primers and paints come in plastic, metal and regular formulations. Spray using even, flowing strokes and avoid over-application, which will cause drips.

• 4

  Add two coats of spray paint to the areas you primed, matching the color to your planned surface addition.

Adding Your New Framed Glass Surface

• 5

  Measure your coffee table's length and width. Cut out two lengths of frame molding to match the length and two lengths to match the width. Use a miter box to cut the ends of each molding section at a 45-degree angle.

• 6

  Fit the pieces together to make sure you properly cut the angles. Frame molding has a raised lip along edge that is meant to overlap the picture glass. Measure the inside of the frame from lip to lip, extending your measurements underneath each lip to get the ideal size for your glass piece.

• 7

  Order a glass pane from your local glazier. Select a tempered glass pane that's at least ¼ inch thick so it can support any objects you'll want to place on the table. Ask the glazier to smooth the glass piece's edges, but decline any decorative edging, since the edges will be hidden beneath the frame's lip.

• 8

  Cover the surface of your coffee table with spray adhesive, and attach any images, fabric or patterned paper to the table's surface. Other ideas include wallpaper, shelf liner or a thin wood veneer. Cover the old surface with the new design material, but leave a border around the table's edges where you'll place the frame molding.

• 9

  Center your glass piece over the covered tabletop. Lay your framing pieces over the glass's edges, fitting the molding's lipped edges over the glass. Use construction epoxy to attach the molding to the table's edges.