Kitchen Table: Basic to Classic

Carol Becker
by Carol Becker
5 Materials
$15
4 Hours
Easy
Well, my house has a kitchen nook so I was looking for a little table that I can use in the nook but didn't want to spend a ton of cash. This is the final product and the story of how I got here:
I started out shopping the local Craigslist and Facebook marketplace ads. I found a standard issue table for $10 that was scratched up but had some potential. In its prime days it looked like this:
When I got it, it wasn't that nice but, you get the idea. Basically, the kind of table that every couple has when they move in together for the first time, or every newly divorced guy seems to own. It was scratched and had paint, dirt, tar? I don't even know but it needed intense scrubbing. Even bleach wasn't sufficient. So, I got out the reciprocating sander and went to town on it.
And I just kept sanding and sanding for what seemed like ever. Finally, I sprayed the bottom with a spray primer paint.
it turned out this really pretty color of grey and I decided that I liked the color of the primer better than the color of my planned paint.....so I left it at that. Next, i applied about 4 coats of wood stain to the top of the table. Between each coat I lightly sanded the top. This is about 2 coats in:
After all the staining was through, I sprayed the whole thing down with 6 coats of sealer from a spray can. I really liked the spray on primer and sealer more than I expected to. After that, I moved it into the kitchen and rubber it down with a light coat of oil. Here's the final product.
I think it looks great and much more beautiful than when it started. Not bad for a $10 table with about $5 of spray paint! Let me know what you think!
Suggested materials:
  • Primer
  • Table
  • Sander
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Frequently asked questions
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3 of 7 questions
  • Anne Anne on Nov 02, 2017

    I want to repaint bunk dark brown beds in Acqua color for guest room.Do I have to sand beds first or what paint should be used?

  • Karen Karen on Nov 03, 2017

    NICE job!. Why oil and what kind for final step? Why not poly?

  • Mar19885713 Mar19885713 on Feb 04, 2018

    What chairs did you put with this table? You did a fantastic Job, it is beautiful. Now I am kind of interested to see what you -aired it with. Thanks

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  • Phyllis H Hamlett Phyllis H Hamlett on Nov 04, 2017

    Yes .. I have a table some one gave Mr the top has mold inbeded in it I've been using Clorox trying to get it out so far it's been sloow can you give me some advice on getting it out of the wood.The table is oak.Thak you in advance.

    • Carol Becker Carol Becker on Nov 04, 2017

      oh wow! I would just start sanding it down to get rid of the rotten bits. You could use a wood planer if the rot is very deep

  • Verna Garin Verna Garin on Dec 16, 2017

    I liked it better in the natural color, but guess i'm just old fashioned.

    • Carol Becker Carol Becker on Dec 16, 2017
      Not old fashioned! Just with a different style than me! And thank goodness for different styles, otherwise the world would be a very boring place :)
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