Paint a scratched up dining room table top ?

Is the table top made from solid wood or veneer?

Is there a finish on it, or is the wood unfinished?

To go all in to get a GREAT result, that means, prepping by SANDING(start with like 180 and work up to 220), PRIMING(maybe B Moore primer) and using steel wool between coats of primer(to get that super smooth finish) all BEFORE you paint.

The paints are a huge factor! You will want to use something super heavy duty for that kind of traffic like a dining room table! Consider using a home paint sprayer for the job to get that super sleek pro finish. If you are putting the time in to prep the cabinets well and paint them well you will want a good paint that will last. Benjamin Moore ADVANCE is awesome paint!! $50 per gallon but it's so worth it!!! Use it in the sprayer! That paint is an excellent cabinet paint and you don't need a topcoat. I seriously just wipe it down when it gets dirty. Don't worry that it's a cabinet paint, I use it on furniture all the time because I can't stand my paint jobs chipping. This type doesn't do that and if you are going to be eating on it you want something that you can drop bricks on it and it won't hurt the paint.(exaggeration but when done right, you can't hurt it)

If you want to just change the color for a few years before you get new cabinets then there are definitely easier methods to paint them(ie spray paint and putting a sealer on). I just wanted to give you a lasting solution in case you didn't want to deal with chipping, brush marks and lots of wear in a short few years using other methods. Good luck!

I did a whole table set that seats 8 people, buffet and hutch a few years back with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. It took 2 quarts to do the whole thing in your case 1 would definitely do. There is no sanding just make sure the table is cleaned off from debris. Takes 2 coats Annie Sloan has a paintbrush that is rounded to make the job easy. The chalk paint dries fast. I waited 2 hours before I put the second coat on. Instead of using wax like she recommends I used a clear veneer to seal it. I haven't had any problems with paint chipping. I was so pleased with the result that I did a pair of old nightstands that someone was throwing out for my son. The person saw them and wished she would have thought of it. All the best stay safe.

What kind of table top do you have Penny? You can sand most scratches away and fill in deep scratches with wood filler and sand smooth. Prep is your key to getting a smooth table top before you paint.

Be sure to prep the tabletop well. That includes sanding out the scratches, because they will show after you paint. An orbital sander makes quick work of that. Start with a heavier grit sandpaper and work to 220 grit for finishing. If the table will get a lot of use, I would use a latex enamel paint. Be sure to prime first, or buy a paint that has primer in it. Have fun with your project!

Penny, if your tabletop is real wood, sanding is required to get rid of the scratches, then you can either stain or paint. If you chose to paint, best to use a primer first, then the color of your choice.

Lightly sand the top with 220 grit sandpaper to remove any gloss and sand some of the scratches. Prime with Kilz primer. It will fill in minor scratches and create a bond for paint. Then paint the top. Seal with three coats of a water based polyurethane.

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If you are going to paint a dining table, make sure you use a good protective topcoat. I did 3 layers of poly urethane on my table when I re did it a few years ago.

Sand very well. If they are deep scratche, you will need to use wood filler.

I would sanded it well, apply a primer, then paint it with a semi gloss paint.

Sand it first then stain it then it will come nice I need to do that to.

I'd recommend using a good bonding primer, HERE is my favorite. It goes on smooth and is water clean up. It will assure you that the paint finish sticks to the table top. Then 2 coats of good quality latex paint, in a satin finish.