I need suggestions on how to re-paint an entire dining room set please

I inherited my Grandmother's dining room set. Years ago my Aunt redid it in the green antique paint you see. Although I love it, I'm tiring of the color & want to re-paint it in a different color, possibly black, without ruining it. Restoring it to the original wood is out of the question because of all of the veneer on the chairs. The table is the original cherry finish, although in bad shape. The top of the table is also veneer. I would greatly appreciate your suggestions!
This is one of six chairs I want to re-paint. There is also the dining room table & buffet (partially seen in the background).
  14 answers
  • Wendy Johnson Wendy Johnson on Jun 14, 2014
    Chalk paint. Covers most everything and comes in multiple colors.
  • Shell Wilson Shell Wilson on Jun 15, 2014
    first sand down with 00 steel wool - making certain to knock of any rough spots or fix any damaged areas, follow-up with a vigorous sanding using 0000 (super fine) steel wool, sand in every conceivable direction...you want a smooth glass like feel - I use my hair dryer or leaf blower to blow off all dust and steel particles. Then wipe down thoroughly with a damp cloth, paying special attention to any RECESSED AREAS. Now for paint - the options are limitless. I would not use chalk or chalkboard paint!!! Ultimately for durability, clean-ability and resistance to color fade, buy an enamel - you can use Craft enamel paints or Interior Enamel House Paint or my FAVORITE - SPRAY PAINT. Spray painting is quick, effective and one of the easiest clean up processes. If spray painting - use either Krylon or RustOleum paints - they are superior to all others and can be found at most hardware stores and at your local Walmart. ANY OF THE 2X COVERAGE VERSIONS WORK REALLY WELL - basically no priming necessary on non-porous surfaces. (My suggestion for this and any other paint project is to purchase a canvas drop cloth - actually a couple different sizes comes in handy often around my house...the other thing I keep on hand is a roll of 6 mil clear plastic - makes a quick and easy drop cloth and/or project cover-up - cut to the size you need, toss when done.) If you have never spray painted before - practice on cardboard boxes first. DO NOT CONTINUOUSLY HOLD SPRAYER NOZZLE DOWN - this results in runs and clogged nozzle - ALSO NOTE: EVERY SO OFTEN, TURN CAN UPSIDE DOWN AND SPRAY PAINT TO KEEP NOZZLE FROM CLOGGING - this should be done to each can at the end of your painting session too. the best coverage comes when you slightly depress nozzle as you swipe the can 6-8 inches away from surface area and release as you get to the other side - spraying in every conceivable direction allows for maximum coverage...you can also play around with your "SPRAY STROKES" and create your own unique patterns. HAVE FUN AND HAPPY PAINTING!!
  • Dawn Wright Ordus Dawn Wright Ordus on Jun 15, 2014
    Thank you for the advice! I've spray painted plenty of projects in the past. Sounds like a winner. Perhaps I'll attempt this project late August or in September when my back fusion is completely healed.
  • Dawn Wright Ordus Dawn Wright Ordus on Jun 21, 2014
    Anymore advice on chalk or milk paints?
  • GR GR on Jun 21, 2014
    As Wendy says the main advantage of chalk paint is that it will cover any surface without any preparation other than making sure it is really clean (I'm not implying your furniture is dirty but you need to make sure there is no polish etc on it!) and any flaky veneer, paint or varnish is sanded off. I use Annie Sloan chalk paint and I also make my own using calcium carbonate (chalk powder) and latex paint, you can buy the cc quite easily as its used to feed chickens, amongst other things, because I'm told it helps harden the shells of the eggs! There are lots of recipes for making your own on Hometalk and Pinterest, many people use plaster of paris. I've even used chalk paint as a first coat/primer and then finished with latex and varnish for a really durable finish. The Annie Sloan paint is definitely thicker and quicker but it's pricey and I find it better suited to more rustic/distressed finishes although you can get a smooth finish by sanding and watering it down. There are loads of tutorials on the internet for her paints. Chalk paint has to be sealed using wax or varnish. It does save time initially but you have to take more time at the end finishing the furniture. It's not for everyone but you will find a lot of people who paint furniture as a business are positively evangelical about it's benefits. Good luck with whatever you decide to do :-)
  • Dawn Wright Ordus Dawn Wright Ordus on Jun 21, 2014
    Do I still need to prime the surface by sanding first?
    • GR GR on Jun 22, 2014
      @Dawn Wright Ordus No you would only have to sand if there are any patches of loose paint or varnish, that's the benefit of chalk paint. I don't know about milk paint as I have never used it but I think there are some good tutorials for that too. Check out Miss Mustard Seed's blog she uses both.
  • Polly Zieper Polly Zieper on Jun 21, 2014
    Looking at the cloth seat covers I think painting the wood gold or burgundy would look nice. Please show pix of whatever you decide to do:)
  • Dawn Wright Ordus Dawn Wright Ordus on Jun 21, 2014
    My husband would love to see the set painted burgundy. It's his favorite color. I'm actually trying to get rid of the burgundy colors though. I will keep the cloth on the seats however because I love it! I was thinking a dark brown with some black. I'm really uncertain of what color to paint it?!
  • Dawn Wright Ordus Dawn Wright Ordus on Jun 22, 2014
    Thanks Gerry! I just got off the phone with a friend of mine who owns a paint store in our small town. He's thinking about giving a class on how to use chalk paints in a few months. Now I just need some advice on the best colors to go with. I'll have to post a picture of the entire set in my dining room to see what everyone suggests. 😊
    • GR GR on Jun 23, 2014
      @Dawn Wright Ordus Brilliant! You might ask his advice on colours too, it's sometimes hard to judge from a photo what would look best. If you are posting pics try to get as much of the room in as possible. Remember it's not all about your existing decor but how you would like the room to look when you finish so if you're tired of burgundy do something different (I'm sure your husband will come round when he sees the end result)! Good luck with the makeover and be sure to post the results :-))
  • Jackie Prim Jackie Prim on Jun 22, 2014
    Dawn Take your time. You got a lot of good advice.You may also enjoy a few décor mag's Good Luck!
  • Dawn Wright Ordus Dawn Wright Ordus on Jun 23, 2014
    Thanks for your advice! I will take photos of the entire dining room once my husband clears all of his paperwork off of the dining room table! His back went out so things are not disappearing very quickly! 😉
  • Wendy Johnson Wendy Johnson on Jun 23, 2014
    I look forward to seeing whatever you do
  • Cherie Cherie on Jul 14, 2014
    Chalk paint is indeed the easiest way to go and the finish lasts! I made my own (from formula found on pinterest) and finished an outdoor swing that had several coats of paint already. I did a tiny bit of sanding and then thought, what the heck, it's outside, and painted away! Looks PERFECT!! AND no tedious sanding! As for your paint color, I'd go with black. It always looks sharp! (BTW, love your town name!)
    • Dawn Wright Ordus Dawn Wright Ordus on Jul 15, 2014
      Thanks for your input Cheridal! I'd like to do this project in the next couple months in black or espresso. You make it sound easy-peasy which helps put my mind more at ease! Ha...many people comment on how they like the name of my town! 😊
  • 1@godsgarden 1@godsgarden on Feb 08, 2015
    go on YouTube for chalk painting ideas I found many their