Painting furniture?

[Jessica 0]

I need a new kitchen table, and I was thinking about getting an unfinished one and painting it myself. It sounds kind of fun, and I thought it would be cheaper.

Well, I went to the store, and they have just the table I want. But! I can actually get the already-stained-and-varnished floor demo for $50 less than a new, unfinished table.

But painting the table sounded fun.

But this already-finished table is really purty, and cheaper.

Does anyone know anything about finishing furniture? Is it super hard?

Skydiving is for cool people only

[Brains 2]

Howdy Jess, Do you want to paint or stain?? Either way, it's not hard, just very time consuming. Chances are, at least with me, they can do a better job that you can.

Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you.

[Jessica 0]

If I did it myself, I'd paint. But the one at the store is stained and varnished. Either is good.

I'm sure the store would do a better job than me, too.

Skydiving is for cool people only

[Zeemax 0]

less table money means more jump money....

Phoenix Fly - High performance wingsuits for skydiving and BASE
Performance Designs - Simply brilliant canopies

[hooked 0]

It really would depend on what you really want....a painted one or a stained one. If you are going to paint one, remember to factor in the cost of a good primer and a good paint. It is time consuming and I would use a really nice foam roller to roll the paint on the table top, as it wouldn't leave brush strokes. You would have to give it more than one coat of paint. You have to remember with a painted one, it will eventually 'chip' during normal wear and tear, where as a stained one, it wouldn't be that noticeable. A painted one, you could do any color you wanted it to be.

J

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Sometimes we're just being Humans.....But we're always Human Beings.

[Jessica 0]

I guess I could buy the floor model and if I decided to paint it I could strip it.

Skydiving is for cool people only

[Brains 2]

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If I did it myself, I'd paint. But the one at the store is stained and varnished. Either is good.

I'm sure the store would do a better job than me, too.

I did one in college where i stained and varnished the top and painted the legs and sides. Chairs were painted to match. Looked like crap when i was finally done. I looked like so much fun at first.

Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you.

[Keith 0]

Buy the floor model. If you decide to paint it there's no need to strip it, just sand it to prep the surface for primer then paint it.

Keith

Don't Fuck with me Keith - J. Mandeville

[hooked 0]

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I guess I could buy the floor model and if I decided to paint it I could strip it.

You wouldn't necessarily have to strip it, but sand it a little, prime it with a primer like "Kilz" (nasty stuff) and then paint it. Stripping it is a lot of work.

J

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Sometimes we're just being Humans.....But we're always Human Beings.

[D22369 0]

Hi, staining would be much easier than painting it would be, no brush strokes, no primer, and the stain would dent with the wood, unlike paint which would chip. If you decide to go with the stain, the easiest way to do it is (I am not pulling your leg).....take an old clean cotton sock, smooth side out, roll it up and with a rubber glove on, dip the whole sock in the stain, you could have the table done in no time, the sock will hold a lot of stain, Its a lot faster and more effecient than a brush.
Have fun;
Roy

They say I suffer from insanity.... But I actually enjoy it.

[Brains 2]

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. . . Stripping it is a lot of work.

Hehehe, are we still talking about furniture??

Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you.

[Gawain 0]

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Does anyone know anything about finishing furniture? Is it super hard?

I bought some unfinished shelves a few years back... It's not difficult. However, if I were in your position, I'd buy the floor model...

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[mouth 0]

If you paint one make sure to use oil based paints as they will hold up much better. I've painted mine several times and it is a PITA.

My next table is going to be marble...no paint or stain necessary, and no hot pads either.

--
Hot Mama
At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit.

[wmw999 2,589]

I've painted, refinished, and stained. I've also managed to turn out good results with all three, but then I think that kind of thing is fun (and I wasn't jumping then, either).

If you're a serious perfectionist or a cheapskate, then definitely buy the floor model. It's almost certain to be better than your first effort. And it's already done, and won't sit there, staring at you, reminding you that it's only half done (that's what my projects generally do)

I'm not that bothered by minor paint marks. A few thin coats are always better than one or two thick coats. The main advantage of paint is greater waterproofness (unless varnish really means urethane). That can be an advantage for a table. But they're right, it'll chip eventually. Of course, if you like decorative stuff, you can paint designs on it, and then it's all part of the charm, too...

Good luck either way.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)