Wood table

I would start by giving it a good sanding to remove any loose paint and smooth the wood. Then choose an outdoor paint in any color you choose. Give it at least 2 coats of paint.

Try a power washer to clean it. Here are some great posts on painting picnic tables.

https://www.hometalk.com/search/all?filter=paint%20picnic%20table

Hi Shay

Here is more info

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/how-to-clean-outdoor-wood-furniture-13404181.html#:~:text=Never%20use%20a%20power%20washer%20to%20clean%20outdoor%20furniture.&text=Start%20with%20a%20mixture%20of,hard%20enough%20to%20resist%20scratching.

https://www.anikasdiylife.com/painting-outdoor-wood/

Definitely sand this baby smooth. You're going to get lots of splinters if you only power wash. Sand everything. I'd suggest using an orbital sander that's easy to hold and easy to replace the sanding papers. Once smooth, if you plan on painting, seal it first with a good exterior primer. Use exterior paint(s) on your surface and then seal that with an exterior sealer that has UV included - it will say that on the can. If you don't seal it for exterior use, you'll be doing this job again in another year or two.

I vote for sanding too. I’d use a belt sander with 60 grit to start with.

Since this is years of enamel paint, maybe with lead in the paint. , wear a face shield and gloves.

I agree with most of what Jan Clark says above. However, you can use other paints such as chalk paint, which is now available in many colors from Rustoleum for far less money or you can make your own using plaster of paris (cheap to do w/ latex paints). But, you absolutely must seal the work with an outdoor UV sealer. Rustoleum makes one in a matte finish which is perfect if you use chalk paint as it retains that "chalky" look. 😎

I would do both actually. If you have access to a power washer I would definitely do that first, let it dry completely, and then totally sand it smooth. After that I would use an outdoor oil based primer, paint and sealant.

You could chalk paint it

Scrub with tsp and a scrub brush to clean the surface as well as you can. Or, If you have a power washer that would take most of the paint off all on its own. Sand to remove all the loose paint and make it smooth.

If your opposed to sanding, you coukd also strip the paint and clean with mineral spirits.

Use an outdoor safe primer and paint. Kilz primer does an amazing job for priming. I like to use it on outdoor projects.

Scrub it with dish soap and a scrub brush then hose off

Hello there,

Use a sanding machine or hand sand it down. Fill any imperfections with a waterproof spackle or filler. rub down when dry to smooth. Prime, Undercoat and top coat with paint. or use Shades Garden furniture colours as directed.

First I would wash with a power washer to get all the bits and pieces of wood and stains off. Then let dry completely. Use a hand held sander to sand off any of the flaws. When that is finished, see where you need wood filler or Bondo. I would not use spackle it is not hard enough. Sand again, then prime with a bonding, stain hiding primer like Zinser 123 Paint with a good acrylic paint. You can coat with lacquer but not necesary.

I'd give it a good sanding then prime it and repaint.

Scrub well with a stiff brush to get rid of the worst parts of the peeling paint, then sand with a coarse grit sandpaper. I'd suggest painting with a marine type enamel to ward off future outdoor damage.

There are lots of ideas here on painting a picnic table.

https://www.hometalk.com/search/all?filter=paint%20picnic%20table

I think it depends on how you want it to finally look. Power wash (take it to a self service car wash if you don't have one) and let it dry. Then sand it and do the appropriate paint job you want it to be. So many choices from keeping it all one color versus a color for the top/separate color for the legs.