How to Repaint a Shabby, Chic Furniture Table

Set up your painting station in a well-ventilated area and assemble the items you'll be using. Choose a space in the garage or outside in the shade where the project will be undisturbed, because it will need to dry between coats of paint.

Sand the surface of the table using the medium grade sandpaper. Rough up the surface just a little; don't try to take the existing paint off. Shabby chic furniture has been painted numerous times and the multiple paint layers will eventually show through. Wipe off any sawdust with a dry cloth.

Paint the entire table using the dark acrylic paint. Use a single coat and use long, even strokes so the paint won't dry with ridges or drips. Allow the dark coat of paint to dry on the table for 24 hours.

Apply the crackle glaze onto the entire table. Use thin, even strokes that all go in the same direction. Put the glaze on thick for large paint cracks to appear, or thinner for small, hairline paint cracks. Allow the glaze to dry for 2 hours.

Paint the top layer of the table with the white acrylic paint. Concentrate on smooth, even paint application because there should only be one coat. Watch as the paint forms tiny cracks all over as it dries over the crackling glaze. Allow the paint to dry for 24 hours.

Sand down some parts of the table to create scuffs and worn patches, using the fine grade sandpaper. Use pressure so that all the layers of paint underneath are exposed. Concentrate on corners and edges where a vintage table would naturally have time-worn distress. Wipe any dust away with a cloth.