Blog Layout
Revamp Your Old Picnic Table
Sam Lutz • July 25, 2017
Is your backyard lacking a little flair? At Ace Paint and Unfinished Furniture we have tons of ideas for making your outdoor space more attractive. Repainting an old picnic table, for example, is an excellent way to add color to your home’s exterior without spending a lot of money. In this post, we’ll discuss supplies, techniques and best practices.
Gather Your Materials
Gather the materials for your project. We recommend the following:
- Tarps
- Sand block, 220 grit
- Mild detergent
- Sponge
- Bucket
- Paint brushes – 2 inch flat, and 1 inch angled
- Primer
- Exterior grade semi-gloss paint
Prep the Surface
Before you can get started with your project, you’ll need to prep the surface of your picnic table. Use the sandpaper block to sand down any splinters and smooth the wood. Finally, wash down the table with a sponge and mild detergent. Give the table 24 hours to dry before proceeding. When the table is completely dry, put it over a tarp to prevent paint from splattering on the ground.
Prime the Surface
Strange paints like metallic colors can be used in small doses to create a beautiful, stunning effect. For example, consider painting a thin gold line at chair-rail height on your dining room walls. Paint one color below the line and a different color above the line to provide visual interest.
Wait for the primer to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions before applying the first coat of paint. If possible, allow the table to dry somewhere cool and out of direct sunlight.
Apply Paint Evenly
When the primer is completely dry, apply your first coat of paint. Use the same procedure that you used to apply the coat of primer. At this stage, the paint may look a little uneven, but that’s nothing to worry about. You’ll be able to smooth out the paint when you apply the second coat.
Let the paint dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions before proceeding. Remember to wash the paint brushes between coats, or wrap the paint brushes in foil and put them in the fridge to prevent them from drying out.
Add a Second Coat
When the paint is dry and no longer feels tacky to the touch, add the second coat of paint. Use the same techniques that you used to apply the first coat of paint. When the second coat has been applied, you can either call the project done or apply a third coat, if you feel like a third coat is warranted.
Tip:
Sometimes very dark paint colors need several coats of paint to achieve even coverage. Using primer that has been tinted to match the paint can help even out the paint with fewer coats.
Fun Stuff You Can Do to Decorate Your Table
If you’re feeling creative, we recommend painting a pattern onto the table. Use painter’s tape to mask the area around the pattern, then apply the paint. Not sure what to paint? Why not a patriotic flag print? Or, take a look at this subtle but elegant pattern made with wood stain. If you need more ideas, stop in and we can help!
Come To Ace Paint and Unfinished Furniture!
There are all kinds of wooden furniture: modern, antique and everything in between. We’ve talked about style differences, but what about how it’s made and what it’s made of? Is there a large difference between the wood furniture of today and yesterday?
Colors are so fascinating. They make us feel, they help us express how we feel. The right colors can really set the mood in a room, or on an outfit. There’s a lot to color theory and what each of the colors mean. This St. Patrick’s Day we thought it’d be fun to explore a little about green.
One of the wonderful things about good wood furniture is that it doesn’t have to be merely functional. It can be beautiful as well. We’ve seen some amazing pieces made with wood stains that are more than just furniture, they’re works of art. So if you’ve got an old table, desk or other piece of wood furniture that needs jazzed up, why don’t you consider using some of our great stains to try one of these ideas.
What's your furniture style? Here’s a few of the more popular styles and the kind of look they give your home.
Wood is our most basic raw material used for creating furniture. Wood furniture is timeless, and the aesthetic options are endless. Let’s talk about a few today, shall we?
The 2010s saw an uptick in modern interiors, bringing in clean lines to decor and furniture, so what does the new decade have in store? Restyle your home for the new year with the latest trends.
Are they bright and bold? Wild and wacky? It’s a thrill for our industry to learn what the latest “in” colors will be each year, and they never disappoint. The color trends for 2020 include shades of green, blue and pink, and each have an inherent welcoming quality.
Holiday parties are part of the magic of the season, but the cleanup is a pain—especially when furniture is involved. Prevent disasters with a few tips on how to protect your furniture during holiday parties.
The holiday season has arrived, and soon every corner will be decked out in red and green. But have you ever stopped to think about what holiday colors mean?
Restaining an old piece of furniture with a new varnish color can go a long way, but first you need to remove the old stain color.