I just stripped my diningroom set should I paint them?

Hi! The set is beautiful and you did a ton of work! The table looks "consistent" -- by the chair might have different woods and/or different directions of grain that may not be optimal for stain.

(PS. I'm a big fan of painting furniture). https://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/furniture/1960s-coffee-table-into-2020-44255352

and

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/basement/furniture/painted-furniture-cedar-lined-trunk-44243960

Hello SL, I don't know how you feel about chalk paint, but I love it! You could do a modern color of chalk paint and a new modern fabric on them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBU-aLcJL80

I would not paint that beautiful wood. If you're worried about stain, try tung oil. It leaves a beautiful finish.

Or do a little of both. I have seen dining room chairs that have just the legs and pieces that run up where you back leans painted white and the rest left with natural wood. Sort of breaks adds more interest to the piece.

Yes! Would a white chalk paint work with the other colors in your space? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V384VxvbmcY

There is nothing like the beauty and grain of natural wood. I would not paint it!

Ann made a good suggestion using tung oil.

You did a great job stripping it.

I hate to see quality wood covered by paint. I would use a gel stain to get a color you want, of just put on shellac of other finish to protect the wood and add a minimal amount of color.

I would not paint it and certainly not with chalk paint if you decide to. I would call General Finishes. They make one of the best stains around or find a retail store near you that sells General Finish Products and consult with them.

General Finishes would work beautifully on this!

I personally love cherry wood and I probably woudn't paint it because of the type of wood. If you feel like you are dying for it to be brighter, then paint the chairs white and leave the natural cherry table. I love a two tone set. Don't stain the table, just cover it with a general finishes sealer after you have done your sanding. Before sealing, do a light coat of steel wool so it is super smooth if you haven't done that already. I also LOVE Waterlox (another sealer). You will need a few coats of that though because it is pretty thin but gives an amazing finish.

For the chairs, if you decide to paint, go with something a little more heavy duty....like Benjamin Moore Advance. This is a cabinet paint, but I use it on furniture when I know it will be getting a lot of use and I don't want chipping. The result of this paint is like what you would get at a furniture store. It really is amazing paint. Check out my post :

https://karupp-did.net/fetor-to-fetching/

I used that paint on that dresser. Expensive paint but It never dissapoints!! and doesn't need a topcoat. Good luck! I know your set will be beautiful whatever you decide;)

Hello,

You could paint it or stain it or wax it or Lime wax it. The choice is yours really, depending on your decor............You have done the hard work - enjoy the finish!

They look amazing! I like them stripped which is saying a lot because I love painted furniture. If you decide to paint I think milk paint would look amazing. Here is a post I wrote on how to paint with mild paint. https://lifeonsummerhill.com/how-to-paint-with-milk-paint/

It totally depends on the look you want. You can paint or can re-stain this set.

Wow looks great how about you get a penatrating stain it adds a hint of color and put a finish but you could see the wood grain come through it looks great

I think a paint and stain combo would look wonderful! For example, stain the table top, and paint the legs,