Refurbishing a Table

Set the table on a drop cloth or other protected surface in a well-ventilated area.

Fill any holes, cracks or dents with wood filler on a putty knife. Let the filler dry.

Sand the table using 60-grit sandpaper followed by 100-grit sandpaper and moving up to 220-grit sandpaper. This removes any previous finish, gives the table an even surface and provides a rough medium, so that the paint adheres to it.

Wash the table with trisodium phosphate, a scrub brush and a bucket. Rinse it with clear water and let it thoroughly dry. TSP washes away the sanding dust and removes any residue on the table.

Apply a latex, adhesion primer to the table using a small, sponge roller on the flat surfaces and a bristle paintbrush on the small, detailed areas and corners. Leg the primer cure, usually up to 24 hours. Do not let it dry longer than the recommended curing period or it hardens too much and looses its adhering properties.

Paint 100 percent acrylic paint onto the table. This paint is flexible and high quality with rich colors. Apply it in the same way as the primer, using a sponge roller and paintbrush. Allow it to cure according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Apply a second coat of paint. When finished, go over the entire flat surface with the sponge roller, pulling the paint all in one direction so it lies flat and has an even finish. Let it thoroughly cure.

Rub a polyurethane finish onto the table with a rag. Apply it quickly as it dries quickly. It goes on cloudy but dries clear. When it dries in about one hour, lightly sand the surface with fine sandpaper and dust it with a tack cloth. Apply a second coat and repeat the procedure until you have four or five coats of polyurethane on it. The polyurethane protects the paint when you use the table. Without it, the paint chips and wears off during regular use.