How to Paint Over a Stained Wood Table

Painting furniture is a time-honored method of altering the piece's appearance to fit in more suitably with a particular decorating scheme. Wood tables are no exception to this practice, although if the table has been stained there will be a couple extra steps you need to take in order to prepare for the paint job. You should use enamel paint, rather than latex or acrylic paint.

150-grit sandpaper
Dust rag
Cleaning solvent
Scrub brush
Lacquer-based primer
Plastic sheeting
Paint brush
Enamel paint

Instructions

- 1
  Sand down any rough patches on the table to smooth it out in preparation for the primer.
- 2
  Clean the sanding dust off the table. Give it a thorough scrubbing to remove any dirt or food stains from the surface.
- 3
  Lay down plastic sheeting under the table to prevent the primer or the paint from spilling or dripping on the floor.
- 4
  Apply a coat of primer to every part of the table you intend to paint. You have to use lacquer-based primer, as standard paint will not bond to a stained wood surface.
- 5
  Wait several hours for the primer to dry.
- 6
  Apply the first coat of paint to the table. Use a water- or oil-based enamel paint for the best results. Do not use latex or acrylic, as they will not bond properly to the lacquer-based primer.
- 7
  Wait for the first coat of paint to dry. Add more coats as needed to achieve a uniform appearance.

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