Asked on Feb 19, 2016
Paint or stain?
by
Readerdebbie
+59
Just re-did the kitchen in creme /gray cabinets with a white/gray quartz countertop. Our table has a dark wood top, with creme supports and legs. Love the table and stools and it looks good with the kitchen colors but hate the top because it shows water marks, chips easily and catches crumbs in the cracks. ( Wanted to re-top with quartz but no pieces available to fit/or they are too expensive). So--- re-stain the same wood color and poly the top (good bye water stains and crumbs!)? or stain it in some sort of gray ---Or paint?? My skills are limited but I can strip/stain/paint. Not sure if the table top is real wood or a veneer, which makes it a little dicey but I'd love to hear some suggestions. Thanks!
42 answers
-
Fill the cracks with a wood filler. Us a primer and paint the color you want. They have paint with primer in it but I'm not sure if it will withstand the every day use.
Cynthia
on Feb 19, 2016
-
..and add many coats of poly I think the cream would tie it all in with the cabinets and make the room feel larger. From looking at the pick; I'm betting the top is wood. Your kitchen looks awesome!
Moxie
on Feb 19, 2016
-
Cynthia's idea of wood filler is a good one. I would strip, sand, stain, apply filler, then seal with polyurethane (at least 3 coats with sanding between). Then, after all that work, you might protect the wood with a grey tablecloth that matches your cupboards, or a custom cut sheet of glass.
Anne E Bunner
on Feb 19, 2016
- See 2 previous
-
You can paint it to look like quartz if that's the look you really want!
KatAych
on Feb 19, 2016
-
In my opinion I think you should stain the table in a off black color to tie in with the counter tops. Secondly the white on the stools are to stark against the cream cabinets so I would stain them the same color as the table to even out your color scheme.
Janet Pizaro
on Feb 19, 2016
-
Actually, I think that table top is gorgeous...and I like the touch of a different tone...keeps it from being so matchy, matchy!
Jeanette S
on Feb 20, 2016
-
Does the table have a finish on it now? It looks as though it has a definite sheen. You might not be able to use a wood filler if it has a clear sealer on the surface because the filler won't stick to it. You need to determine what type of finish is on it now before you do anything. Put some acetone (fingernail polish remover) on a cotton ball and put it on an inconspicuous spot (like on the under side of the top). Let it set on the finish for a while and depending what happens when you remove it will most likely tell what type of finish it has. This may also tell you if it's real wood or a laminate. The table looks newer so it's safe to say it's not a wax finish. If the acetone takes the finish off then it's probably poly. If it's all gummy and sticky then it's a shellac. You'll be able to see what's underneath then as well. If the surface bubbles, you have a paper veneer, which I highly doubt they would use on a dining table.
Mandy Brown
on Feb 20, 2016
-
Before you go to all of the trouble of priming/painting top, why not get some craft paper (for instance in creamy color and black color) and lay it on top for a bit to see if you like it, or buy samples of colors you are thinking of and paint white tag board and lay it down for a bit to get your reaction. I've done this countless times with painting projects because what might look awesome in my mind in reality can be a "WHAT was I thinking!!"
Lindy
on Feb 20, 2016
- See 1 previous
-
I vote for the black stain idea too!! I love the color of your cabinets!! Would you please share the color??
JessicaRN
on Feb 20, 2016
-
Black should look sensational. Every room needs some black!
Diane Blank
on Feb 20, 2016
-
Black Stain with a Satin Finish...
Jane Harriss Naus
on Feb 20, 2016
-
If your thinking of painting the table top you can make your own chalk paint using Sherwin Williams sample paint from Lowe's for around $3. You won't have to strip the surface because chalk paint sticks well to almost everything. Wash the surface good with TSP (also purchase at Lowe's) and a green kitchen scrubby. Let it dry and apply your wood putty in the cracks, let that dry, sand lightly and wipe off the dust and your ready to paint. You can put as many coats as you want depending on the look your after. You can lightly sand with a very fine sanding sponge to smooth out if you want but not necessary and remove dust. Apply a coat of furniture wax and buff. You should put 3-4 coats of wax letting it dry between applications since this piece will have lots of use. I did this to my table and I love it!! If you get water marks you can simply buff it out :) The chalk paint recipe I use is: 3 tablespoons calcium carbonate powder (available at natural grocers and sprouts) 1 tablespoon water, mix well, add to 1 cup flat or eggshell latex paint, stir well to mix throughout. This dries very quick and can be stored for months when covered tightly! I hate the mess of stripping furniture and love that chalk paint sticks so well!
Jill
on Feb 20, 2016
-
Suggest you also consider a stain that is more the tone of your counter top. You do have dark/stainless appliances and base cabinets, the dark top may be too much on the dark side. You go for your counter top color would look more unified. they do have stone finish paints that may be an option. You will need to sand the top before you prime and paint your tabletop. Nice remodel. Post some pics of your final choice...
Lynn Palmatier
on Feb 20, 2016
-
The tabletop does go well with your flooring. By applying poly to the tabletop you maintain that continuity, then recover the stools with a different fabric. You could then consider if you want to paint the table and stool legs black. Don't know the size of your eating area to know if you're wanting the whole area to be the same vs being compatible.
Ksm9542
on Feb 20, 2016
-
Leave the table top alone it is beautiful. Paint the legs the color of your cabinets. Paint the chairs that color too. You will have a masterpiece to finish off your beautiful kitchen.
Susan David Jacobs
on Feb 20, 2016
-
I like the table top as well and agree that painting the legs the color of cabinets would look nice!
JM
on Feb 20, 2016
-
I love the contrast of the table and light colored legs. You don't need everything to match. I would leave the table and add a glass top to make keeping the wood clean and avoiding scratches, chips etc. I would also recover the seats on the stools with a fabric to introduce some color to the room.
MN Mom
on Feb 20, 2016
-
I also think I'd leave the tabletop as is. It looks nice with the floors. Maybe add a few wooden extras around the kitchen of the same color as your tabletop. Also, the tabletop seems to be highly coated with a lacquer or poly gloss. It would require prep before re painting it.
Betsy Williams
on Feb 20, 2016
-
I would leave it as is and just recover the stools in a grey fabric.
Angela Roberts
on Feb 20, 2016
-
Restain and poly. Looks great the way it is. You need a little wood for contrast.
Tris Smith
on Feb 20, 2016
-
Leave the wood table top for sure. You need that contrast. Recover the stools in a fabric that has a pop of bright color. If the legs are the same creme as the cupboards, leave them. If not, paint them the creme color.
Priscilla
on Feb 20, 2016
-
What about having a piece of glass cut for the top?
Sherry Case
on Feb 20, 2016
-
The legs of the table and the chairs ARE the color of the upper cabinets--and that's fine with me...I'm just trying to figure out how to handle the perpetual water marks and chipping on the table top.
Readerdebbie
on Feb 20, 2016
-
Thanks everyone! I have appreciated reading everyone's suggestions and I now have to winnow my choices down to my skill level ;)
Readerdebbie
on Feb 20, 2016
-
You might consider building a new top that you can just "cap" your table with ;-) That way you can have a flat surface & stain it a different color. The new top would just have a "lip" around the edges to keep it from shifting.
C
on Feb 20, 2016
-
i would paint the table top the same gray as the cabinets as the legs are the same as the top ones and recover the chair tops in a gray color as close to the gray in the cabinets
Cindy
on Feb 20, 2016
-
I can understand that! I have some older dark walnut side tables in my living room just because they have Formica tops and they make my guys feel more comfortable in there!
Jeanette S
on Feb 20, 2016
- See 2 previous
-
Check Contractor Builder Surplus Store or Reclaim Store and you may find ceramic, marble or granite top at a realistic price. I would strip the finish on the top and see what kind of wood there is, then just fill the cracks with Elmer Glue Wood Filler, lightly sand and either stain or paint.
LD
on Feb 20, 2016
-
Why not charge up your kitchen with a barn red glossy table top, that would look awesome with all the grey and white, be sure to add a few black accents in the room, either gloss black or flat black.
Roxanne Mitchell
on Feb 20, 2016
-
I like the table but I might add a grey wood trim around the sides.
Kathy Bitzan
on Feb 20, 2016
-
Keep the wood appearance....Sand, Stain, Clearcoat. Simple. Classic.
UpState
on Feb 20, 2016
- See 1 previous
-
I like the glossy red idea. Plus, you have already made a step in that direction with your towel.
Calnbarb
on Feb 20, 2016
-
I personally would give it a good sanding and use some of the greys and cream by washing and/or dragging on/off and/or distressing chalk paints as you please to achieve a softened driftwood effect with your colour scheme. Use wipe on poly in a satin to hide smudges and crumbs and drips. I am a one handed DIYer, and if I find this to be fun and foolproof, so will you!
Duv310660
on Feb 20, 2016
-
I like the wood. Have a piece of glass cut to cover the top. Problem solved.
Linda Santo
on Feb 20, 2016
-
if you like the wood as it is, just give it a soft sanding with fine-grit sandpaper and then use poly. A couple coats will do, with a light sanding in between coats. This gives you a look that's not like all the rest!
Me
on Feb 20, 2016
-
Keep the wood, it balances the painted surfaces, imho.
Sillysyl
on Feb 21, 2016
-
I like the wood as is
Phlea Whitehair
on Feb 21, 2016
-
Polyurethane is not suitable as a working surface / family table. Even the best quality 2-pac polyurethane will chip and scratch. If you must use polyurethane for a table, it is advisable to put toughened glass over the table.
Christine
on Feb 21, 2016
-
Pretty Kitchen! I like the darker wood topped table. I'd do what Me suggested, from Frederick, MD. Sand it. Add poly.
Mickey Baron
on Feb 21, 2016
-
Lightly sand it. Paint it black, then go over it with poly. There is no reason you can't change to a darker or lighter color. With all the gray in your kitchen a pop of color in your tabletop would be outstanding. Get your color on! Dark vintage red, dark charcoal gray, Ebony black...
Kay
on Feb 22, 2016
-
If you haven't done anything yet, I would suggest just recovering your stools gray to match your cabinets. I think everything would blend with the rest of your kitchen then.
Rebecca Bender
on Mar 01, 2016
-
I used a restore product on the table followed by hand waxing so it is better at resisting water stains but the spaces between the planks still fill with tiny crumbs and dirt. A woodworking friend confirmed the opinion of many--sand, stain and poly to take care of the problems. But I am covering the 4 beige stools with gray/red material and eventually replacing the two others. Always a process, isn't it;)
Readerdebbie
on Mar 02, 2016
Sign Up to Answer
