Updating a Gateleg Table With OFMP

by Cynthia - Clockworkinteriors

If I see a gateleg or drop leaf table at a yard sale or second hand shop, I can't pass them up. They can be used in so many rooms: living, dining, foyer, entryway, etc. I'll show you how you can give an old antique table new life.

updating a gateleg table with ofmp, painted furniture

This is what my table started out looking like. It was rough and dried out, but all wood, so it was worthy of a makeover. I combined OFMP in Driftwood and Snow White to come up with a lovely, "Greige" shade of paint.

After two coats of paint to the legs, I really liked how the paint color looked with the original wood table top, so I pulled out my Ryobi hand sander and sanded the table top using 80, 150 and 220 grit sandpaper.

I ended up giving the table top three coats of Minwax Wood Finish in Early American. (Old socks work great for applying stain!)

I try to use green products whenever possible, so I chose to seal the milk painted portions of the table with Hope's 100% Pure Tung Oil.

To complement the age of my table and to bring out all the crackles and crazing, I applied dark wax once the Tung Oil was completely dry. It settled in all the right places. (Please check out my site for tips on applying dark wax.)

My final step was applying Rust-oleum Wipe On Poly in a satin finish. (This was my first time using this product, and you really do just wipe it on!) Super simple.

From where it started, I couldn't be happier with this easy makeover. You can check out my full post for additional tips on painting with Old Fashioned Milk Paint.