Table makeover?

Sarah Allen
by Sarah Allen

Ridiculously excited here. Hubby found an old folding table in one of our sheds from the previous owner. It’s super heavy and in pretty good shape. I would say it’s about 8ft by 3ft, just eyeballing it. I just need to know what products work the best to clean it up?

I have some oops paint that’s specifically formulated to prevent rusting. Would this be too much to use on the frame of it?

Also if anyone could help me guess how old the table is as well, I’d appreciate it. It seems to be too well made for anything within the past few years!

  18 answers
  • Annie Annie on Mar 31, 2020

    Hi Sarah, just give it a good scrub with hot water with a little bit of bleach in it, then hose it down. It does look like its in great shape!


    No clue about the age, but I remember tables like this in school. Decades ago lol

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Mar 31, 2020

    I would use a nice sanding and add a new coat of paint or stain

    • Nancy Nancy on Apr 01, 2020

      But top isn't wood. Its some form of laminate. Can that still be painted?


  • Megan Megan on Mar 31, 2020

    Hi! I would clean with a little vinegar and water and also do a light sand before applying new paint. :) If you're going to keep it outside I would seal the metal with a rust blocker spray sealant!

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Apr 01, 2020

    I would give it a good scrub with a good cleaner like Krudkutter. Sand any rough spots on the metal legs, wipe it down again and use paint meant for metal. I prefer Rustoleum spray paints for metal, but, if you have paint you would like to use, go for it. Even the top can be painted if you use the right paint. Good luck@

  • Shannon Shannon on Apr 01, 2020

    I just found a product called Grease Police at Dollar General, it was $10 which is high for there but I can't believe how good it works! I was cleaning off a clock that was hanging in the kitchen and a smokers house so it had the greasy kind of dirt with the smoke mix on it. I cleaned it with Spic and Span first and didn't take much off and I remembered I had gotten this new cleaner and as soon as I sprayed it the grime and smoke stains came off without wiping, I just wiped off with a paper towel and it was as good as new! It takes paint off pretty easy to, only things I've tried it on but I'm pretty confidant that it's going to work really well on everything else also. Thankfully because I normally don't pay anywhere near $10 for a multi cleaner like this but wanted to get something that works well to clean furniture and other things I redo and closet thing I could get to Krud Litter and I actually like this better. Good Luck!!


  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Apr 01, 2020

    Yeah, I remember this type of table from elementary schools decades ago, they take up quite a bit of space. It looks to be in good shape. Depending on what the top is, something as easy as blue dawn dish soap in warm water might work. To step it up, go to something like KrudKutter. If the legs are rusty, sand that off and paint with a water resistant paint like Rustoleum.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Apr 01, 2020

    Hello there,

    Probably 1960's. Worktable. Does it have a Formica top? Can be used outside in a protected area. If it has metal legs, Use Hammerite. Best wishes.

  • K. Rupp K. Rupp on Apr 01, 2020

    yes sand the metal down and you could steel wool it to get off all the rust. Definitely paint the metal with a rustoleum paint. That is the best for metal. Is that particle board on the top or real wood? That will depend on how you finish the top. Looks like a great table!

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Apr 01, 2020

    Looks like the kind our church had when I was growing up in the 70's. I would lightly sand, hitting the rust areas well, then use the rust proof paint. As for the top, start with magic eraser. If it needs scrubbing, mix a paste of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda for a sanitizing scrub.

  • I have one I use for my craft table. Probably from the 60's, the military station we were at was finally getting new furniture and the old stuff was headed for the dumps. Grabbed one with help without them seeing ;)

  • Chas' Crazy Creations Chas' Crazy Creations on Apr 01, 2020

    Here's one post here on Hometalk that is a fantastic upcycle that might inspire you and give you some good info... https://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/furniture/upcycling-a-round-folding-table-43299369

  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on Apr 01, 2020

    I have a table like this that I purchased about 20 yrs ago from Sam's club. They used to have metal or heavy legs until they began using plastic ones. You need to clean it and get the rust off by using a stiff wire brush then you can repaint the frame and legs and stain or paint the top.


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/kitchen-dining/kitchen-dining-furniture/banquet-table-makeover-28696465?expand_all_questions=1


    https://www.pinterest.com/pin/17521886034327663/

  • Dee Dee on Apr 01, 2020

    Lightly sand down the legs and use Rustoleum Auto Primer. Then you can spray the legs Oil Rubbed Bronze. No need to seal as Rustoleum has sealer in it.

    For the top you can buy a kit Giani makes a kit and Home Depot sells a kit

    Here is a video that you can use on that table as well.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJl_M6X_VTg

  • Deb K Deb K on Apr 01, 2020

    Hi Sarah, very cool!! My guess would likely be around the 80's for the table, based on the leg style. It is likely laminate, but that paints up just fine, you could go the chalk paint route, and it would give it great character! Check out the video I attached, hope it helps you out!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOdULB4YU4c

  • To redo the top, get an adhesive primer or a primer that specifically sticks to laminate then you can paint it. The table is probably from the 60’s or 70’s.

  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on Apr 03, 2020

    My Grandparents have a table like this and that sucker is heavy. They've had it for as long as I can remember, so they definitely hold up well. You can spray paint the metal legs which will prevent rusting as well.

  • MB Mama MB Mama on Apr 03, 2020

    I had one of these that I used at craft fairs. Mildew and other things made the top yucky. I used Tilex spray and wiped it down with a sponge. Spray it on the sponge and apply because if you spray it directly on the table, it leaves a spray pattern. It will whiten it up and looks like new. Rinse off with hose and let dry. Sand and paint any metal areas with rustoleum paint and it will make it outdoor worthy!

  • Linda Linda on Apr 05, 2020

    I would paint it. I love fusion mineral paint. Here is a post where I used the paint on an old door. https://lifeonsummerhill.com/diy-exterior-dutch-door/