How to update an old table. Restoring a round table. Impregnation, restoration of countertops

Loose legs, damage to the table top in the kitchen or in the living room are not uncommon. Over time, the fasteners weaken, and due to accidental mechanical damage, the surface may get cracked, chipped or worn. You can restore the attractiveness and integrity of the furniture, you can carry out a high-quality restoration of the table with your own hands. Below in the detailed master classes, we told you how to restore a plastic, wooden (varnished or painted) and glass table. Having studied the exact instructions, you can easily carry out the work and, moreover, it is interesting to decorate the old table, give it a new look. No special tools are needed for restoration: almost all of them can be found in the arsenal of a modern owner. But for restoration and decoration, you will need to separately select special materials and compositions.

Restoration methods

To determine the best option for restoring the table, familiarization with modern methods of its repair, as well as the view obtained after processing, will help. You can cover items like this:

Using conventional brushes (to create a perfectly even surface or create a smooth transition from one color to another by mixing paints directly on the countertop with a small brush).
Through nets, tulle, stencils (to obtain patterns and stylized spots on the surface).
Craquelure compositions (allows for antique styling, to give the surface the appearance of cracked paint).

It is also possible to glue tables with different types of films, to carry out pasting with paper materials. All of the options discussed are more applicable to wooden furniture, but some of them are also suitable for the restoration of plastic products.

The main stages of the restoration of a wooden table

Restoration of a table made of natural wood requires a careful approach to each stage of restoration. This is the only way to do the work with your own hands correctly and return the furniture to its original appearance (or even make it better). Direct restoration is carried out according to the following scheme:

Selection of the necessary materials and tools (working with everything ready will be much easier than buying the necessary materials during the restoration process).
Carrying out the primary repair of the entire structure (this stage concerns the restoration of the integrity of the product: for example, for a dining table, the work will consist in repairing the frame, for writing - in repairing the frame, shelves, drawers).
Removal of old coating, restoration of wood.
Primary processing and decoration of furniture.
The final stage for the auxiliary protection of the created decor.

All of these steps will be appropriate for minor damage to old tables. If large cracks appeared on the surface of the countertop or the edges of the array began to break off and crumble, then the work will take much longer and may not bring the desired result.

Necessary materials and tools

To safely and properly restore an old table, you will need to prepare the following tools and materials:

Protective equipment (glasses, mask, gloves).
Sandpaper (fine + coarse) or grinder (with fine and coarse abrasive wheels).
Painting tools (brushes, rollers).
Protective compositions for wood (high-quality impregnation to protect wood from moisture, decay, pests, blueing).
Coloring and auxiliary compositions (selected paint for repainting wooden furniture or stain, primer, varnish).
Fasteners and tools for repairing an old table (screwdriver, screwdriver, self-tapping screws and screws, liquid nails, furniture glue).

Finishing can be carried out not only with varnish, but also with wax. The advantage of this composition is the ease of recovery: a scratched area just needs to be re-treated with wax.

preliminary repair

Carrying out the primary repair involves restoring the strength of the entire structure of the table. Therefore, you need to start recovery by identifying problem areas. For example, at a table with loose legs, they should be removed, inspect the attachment points (chipped threads are considered a common cause of this phenomenon). If necessary, damaged areas should be glued with furniture glue. If the problem is the drying of the glue with which the individual parts were glued together (for example, in the area of the dowels connecting the legs and the shelf of the coffee table), then the old glue should be removed and the parts should be planted on liquid nails. In the case of transforming dining tables, it may be necessary to restore the table height adjustment mechanism. Usually the problem with the poor running of the mechanism is solved by simply cleaning the parts and lubricating them.

Removing the old coating

When the primary repair has been carried out, and the furniture has been restored to its former strength and reliability, you can begin to remove the old coating. Work can be done in several ways:

Mechanical.

In this case, the cleaning of old varnish and paint is carried out using abrasive sandpaper or a grinder. Initially, a rough cleaning is carried out: peeling pieces of varnish and paint are cleaned with coarse or medium-grained sandpaper. Then, with a finely abrasive sandpaper, a more accurate removal of residues is carried out. The main thing is not to overdo it in work and not to remove the top layer of wood.

Chemical.

There are special formulations designed to remove old varnish and paint from wood. They are applied with a brush on the furniture. Then, after 20-30 minutes, they are removed with a brush (already together with the corroded old coating).

Remove dust from the cleaned wood and treat it with antiseptic impregnation. Drying of the impregnation is usually about 24 hours. Such work should be carried out both for furniture made of natural wood, and for products made of chipboard, MDF.

Repair of cracks and chips

In order to qualitatively repair the table, and not just refresh it, you should take care of competently getting rid of chips and cracks. To work, you will need a brush, wood putty (preferably as close as possible in color to the color of the wood), fine abrasive sandpaper. The following master class will help to carry out the work correctly:

From damaged areas (chips and cracks), carefully sweep the dust. If pre-treatment with an antiseptic was carried out, then this work can be omitted.
Using a soft rubber spatula, "close" chips and cracks with wood putty. It is necessary to invest the composition as deeply as possible in order to completely close the formed recesses.
Carefully remove excess putty: level the surface of the areas to be restored.
After the putty has dried, go over the treated areas with fine abrasive sandpaper.

Preparation for finishing: priming

Before decorating the restored table and decorating it, the surface should be primed. This requirement applies to both the countertop and the frame itself. To work, you will need a shellac, acrylic or alkyd primer: they are suitable for covering wood. Direct priming is carried out as follows:

A small amount of primer is applied to the surface of the table (processing is initially carried out in sections), distributed with a rubber spatula. It is advisable to distribute the composition as carefully as possible in order to obtain an even layer. After covering individual sections, you need to align all the transitions so that there are no drops.
After the first coat has dried (usually takes 1 to 6 hours), apply the second coat and wait for it to dry.
On top of the dried primer, carry out grinding for high-quality leveling of the surface and the elimination of any differences.

Ways to give the final decor

Unusually, you can paint or decorate a table without the involvement of specialists - with your own hands. This work can be done in different ways:

normal coloring;

It is carried out using paint on wood and a brush. The composition is evenly distributed over all surfaces.

staining with curly rollers;

For coloring, you will need paint on wood and a roller, on the surface of which there are three-dimensional patterns. The application of paint is carried out in one motion, then the roller is rearranged to its width.

decoupage;

Decoupage glue is applied to the surface of the table, prepared paper elements (solid sheets or cut out elements) are glued.

dyeing through tulle;

On top of the prepared surface (simply primed or painted white), ironed tulle is laid out. Spray paint is sprayed on top. The tulle is carefully removed so that the pattern is not smeared.

staining through a stencil;

A stencil is made from cardboard (or a ready-made one is bought). The stencil is applied to the table, and the tabletop is painted through the cut out template. A popular option for highlighting the perimeter, corners or center of a table.

multicolor staining.

Several paints with similar colors are used (for example, from light to dark). Paints of different colors are applied in wide stripes. Then, with a brush, smooth transitions are carefully made between them.

Final coating with varnish or wax

To fix the result of decoration and additionally protect the table from damage, moisture will help its finishing - with varnish or wax. Modern varnishes have fairly good wear resistance, and can be used for coffee tables (which are rarely used) and kitchen tables (which are used daily). Wax provides the most reliable protection, so it is mostly used for processing tables in the kitchen. Lacquer is applied with a brush in 1 layer. The drying time of the composition depends on its characteristics and characteristics (it may take 18-36 hours for complete drying). Wax paste is applied with a swab or a dense brush. Liquid wax is distributed with a brush over the entire surface of the table (tabletop, legs). Hard wax is melted before application, then spread with a brush (“rubbed” into the surface). But keep in mind that hard wax may include chemical additives.

What material to glue

If painting the table after restoration is not suitable, you should pay attention to modern methods of gluing furniture. These include:

Film wrapping.

The film is peeled off from the paper base and applied (glued to the table). It is necessary to gradually separate the film and additionally iron its glued parts (for example, with a rubber spatula) to remove bubbles. Along the edge of the tabletop, you can additionally blow the film with a hairdryer for better fixation and also iron it.

Decor countertops with tape.

Decorative adhesive tape of different colors can be glued to the tabletop in strips, forming squares. From above, you can additionally glue a transparent film (according to the example indicated above) to reliably protect the adhesive tape from damage and peeling.

Pasting the tabletop with stickers.

Ordinary stickers in the form of patterns, animals, flowers or products are great for table decor. They should be glued to a previously degreased surface of the countertop. Additional protection is not needed for the stickers: they stick quite well and can be easily removed if necessary.

Methods for restoring a glass table

The glass table, even with very careful operation, can be covered with scratches, “scuffs”. Especially if it is included in the lunch group and is used daily. On your own, with minor damage to the countertop, you can restore the glass surface using the following compositions:

colorless (transparent) varnish: due to penetration into cracks, it will somewhat level the surface, but is a temporary solution and requires very careful application;
GOI paste: allows you to get rid of minor scratches, before use it is heated according to the instructions on the package and then rubbed into the damaged areas with gentle circular movements;
soda: diluted to a mushy state and, in a similar way, like GOI paste, rubbed into damaged parts;
toothpaste (not gel): with its help, the countertop is polished, due to which the shine returns to the glass, and micro-scratches and scuffs disappear.

In the presence of large chips and cracks, it is recommended to completely replace the countertop yourself or hand it over to specialists for repair. A detached frame can be easily restored by carefully removing dried glue and applying a new adhesive composition. Loose screws in case of screwing the countertop to the frame are recommended to be replaced with new ones.

How to update a plastic table

Most plastic furniture loses its original appeal over time, even if used in home (not balcony or country) conditions. For example, due to minor mechanical damage, it can become covered with scratches, scuffs. But constant exposure to sunlight can cause the plastic to burn out, yellowing it. You can update these tables in two ways:

Repainting.

The best option for products with flat countertops. Initially, the plastic surface is treated with fine abrasive sandpaper, then degreased, coated with a primer. The final step will be the coating of the product with spray paint.

Decoupage.

The best solution for tables with curly ledges or recesses. Initially, with the help of finely abrasive sandpaper, the entire countertop, frame is cleaned. Then degreased. Napkins (or paper, thin newspaper) selected for decoration are glued onto decoupage glue. After the glue dries, the product is covered with a transparent varnish.

Ideas to update your coffee table

To update the look of a coffee table, it is not at all necessary to completely repaint it. You can simply highlight its individual parts or emphasize its shape. The most interesting options include:

Pasting with a custom sticker.

For the size of a rectangular table, you can order a sticker with the image of a cassette (for a round table you can use a vinyl record, for an oval one - a cut pear or melon). Stick the image on the cleaned surface.

Staining with stain.

The variety of wood stains allows you to completely change the color of wood, make it brighter or darker, or completely lighten it. Staining under the patina of protruding elements, carved decorations will help to complement this decor. For work, it is recommended to take gold or bronze paint.

Decor craquelure.

Remodeling the antique table will completely change its appearance. Initially, it should be painted in a color that will help highlight the veins. It is not necessary to decorate it with "cracks". You just need to apply craquelure varnish, which will ensure the appearance of these cracks.

How to update a countertop

A separate update of the tabletop and decorating it with decor allows you to give even a very old table an original design look. The most interesting options for this design include:

Laying out the mosaic.

A mosaic is laid out on a cleaned surface, on a special solution, thereby forming patterns or an abstract pattern. Then the seams between the mosaic are overwritten.

Decor with ceramic tiles.

For large tables, you can use not only a small mosaic, but also large tiles. The work is carried out in a similar way, but the finished decor will have a certain pattern (or be monophonic).

"Picture" under glass (for rectangular and square countertops).

A frame made of timber is stuffed or glued around the perimeter of the tabletop. Sand is poured inside the frame and shells are laid out (another option is to lay out photos, letters). Glass is placed on top of the frame.

Conclusion

Updating furniture with your own hands is not an easy, but still doable task. Therefore, before throwing away the old table, think about the possibility of its restoration. Even a worn lacquered table-book can be repaired and decorated in an unusual way. If desired, the prepared furniture can be painted with different colors, varnished (for gloss) or painted with matting compounds. Also, the updated table can be pasted over with films and stickers. There are a lot of ways to decorate products, you just need to choose the right one, based on the features of its implementation, the degree of complexity. You can update not only wooden, but also plastic, glass tables. Above, we have described ways to restore such products using simple materials and tools. By following step-by-step instructions and helpful hints, you can easily "bring to life" even a very old, and at first glance, unrepairable table.

Furniture of old production should not be sent to the scrap if damaged or minor flaws appear. It should be better restored, which will allow it to serve for many more years. Consider how to make the restoration of an old table at home without much cost and effort. Naturally, the types of restoration work will depend on the original quality of the product, its design and your design imagination, so it is impossible to foresee absolutely all the details of future activities. Therefore, we restrict ourselves to a description of the most common methods of restoration.

To cover the table, you will need solvent-based enamel in two different colors and a clear varnish.

Necessary materials and tools

To carry out all the necessary procedures, you may need:

sandpaper of different types;
paint brushes;
furniture varnish;
polish or furniture mastic;
stain or stain;
impregnation for wood;
felt;
putty for wood;
rubber spatula;
wood glue;
jigsaw;
veneer.

It should be recalled that restoration involves bringing the product to a state as close as possible to the original version. This is where the main principle of restoration comes from, which prohibits changing the design and color scheme of the product.

Before starting restoration work, the old table will have to be disassembled (although many restorers do not resort to such an operation, arguing that reassembly will violate the integrity of the table and will certainly harm its strength). Each detail will have to be cleaned of the old coating (veneered products are cleaned only of lacquer application). Cleaning is carried out with ordinary sandpaper in a circular motion over the surface of the part. Rough processing is done with paper with a large abrasive. Thin stripping is done by “nulling” (paper with the finest abrasive layer). Next, you have to thoroughly clean all the elements of the table from wood dust and thoroughly ventilate the room. Such a measure is necessary for the reason that the dust settles gradually and during the period of further actions may fall on the varnish that has not yet hardened, which is highly undesirable. Restoration does not tolerate a superficial attitude to work, so the little things cannot be neglected.

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Preliminary work, primary impregnation

Prepared parts must be impregnated with a special solution, which will greatly extend the life of the entire product and protect it from wood pests and fungal diseases. The impregnation should dry in a darkened and well-ventilated area for at least a day.

Impregnation will protect the surface of the wooden table from decay and various types of mold.

The parts are then carefully visually inspected for damage to the wood or veneer. Cracks up to 3 mm are sealed with a special putty. In case of detection of large damages, they must be repaired with veneer. To do this, a thin layer of any watercolor paint is applied around the damage and a sheet of paper is applied on top. The part of the sheet that remains unpainted will be the perfect stencil for the patch. It is to be glued to a sheet of veneer and, using a jigsaw, cut along the resulting contour.

We make a control measurement for the compatibility of the received veneer part and the place of damage. If they match, then you can start gluing the part with wood glue. It is better not to use modern adhesives, as this will disrupt the effect of real antiquity. We remind you that the parts should be pressed tightly against each other and left in this position for gluing for 10-12 hours. After gluing, it is necessary to wipe the joints of the parts with the same fine sandpaper. Using the method described above, even a table with veneer inlay on the surface can be restored.

We will assume that minor cosmetic repairs of all parts are completed, but the restoration has not yet been completed. The table is to be assembled in the primary state and to control the strength of its position on a horizontal surface. We use the old-fashioned way for this: threads are pulled on the opposite legs of an inverted table. For the stability of the table, it is necessary that these threads touch each other (but do not have deflections at the points of contact!).

It is necessary to apply varnish only after the previous layer has completely dried.

By aligning the table legs in one plane, you can continue to restore the product. Restoration of an old table involves varnishing it. But first you need to cover all the details and the entire surface with stain.

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You will have to tinker with the choice of color, since you want to achieve the original color, but the range of coloring pigments is not so wide as to satisfy the desires of all consumers. There is an opinion that you first need to experiment with different shades on any wooden surface. By trial and error, you can achieve a color close to what you want, although you will spend a lot of time on it. Restoring an old table for this reason is a lengthy process.

Many people have old dining or kitchen tables left at home, they are usually polished or wooden and have a completely out of fashion look. Do you want to throw it away? Not worth it! Why spend money on a new table, especially older tables are much better than modern ones and can last for many more years

In this article, we will show 4 versatile ways to update an old dining table with your own hands without spending a lot of money on the family budget!

The main methods of restaurant work include the following:

Table painting (usually a special paint is used for wooden surfaces, it can be either acrylic-based or enameled)
Countertop replacement (the table top can be ordered ready-to-size, or you can make it yourself, as shown in the master classes below)

They can be used singly or combined depending on the damage and condition of your furniture.

Refurbishing the kitchen countertop

Look at your dining table. If its general condition more or less satisfies you with its appearance, but the countertop is completely worn out or the countertop simply cannot be removed without damaging the entire structure, this master class is definitely for you.

Materials:

White enamel paint for wood;
Deglosser;
Water-based polyurethane varnish matte (you can use glossy at your discretion);
boards;
Liquid Nails;
Putty for wood;
Fine sandpaper;
Brush, cloth, water.

Restoration instructions

Step 1: Remove old paint

Treat the table legs with a deglosser.
Thanks to this tool, you do not need to sand and tear off the old paint, but simply apply it on top, wait for it to dry and paint it in the desired color.
Apply 3 layers of enamel paint and wait for it to dry completely.

Step 2

Turn the table upside down. If you removed the legs for painting, then it will be more convenient for you to paint the bottom of the tabletop and the side wooden fasteners.
Apply the deglosser and paint in the same way as you would on the legs.

After drying, turn the table back and paint the table top around the edges, capturing 10 centimeters, it is not necessary to paint over the whole.

Step 3: Laying out a new countertop from the boards

After complete drying, measure the dimensions of the countertop, its length and width. Boards should be slightly larger in size, centimeters 5 more than the future base e - tabletop.
Take liquid nails and spread them evenly across the middle of the table. Then start from the number of boards you have.
If there is an even number of them, for example, 6, then they must join right in the middle. In the case of an odd number, it is the unpaired board that you should put in the middle. Again, see how it will be better, based on the dimensions of your particular table and boards.

After gluing the middle, glue the remaining boards on the sides. Leave the table to dry for 12 hours or a day, depending on the glue.

Step 4: Putty

Be sure to fill the gaps between the boards with wood putty, otherwise pieces of food will get stuck in them.
You can smooth it out with your finger, and wipe off excess with a damp cloth.

TIP: Let the putty dry for a couple of hours, and then sand all the boards with fine sandpaper.

Step 5: Polishing

Wipe the boards well, leaving no dust or debris on them. Take the polyurethane varnish, stir it and start applying it on the boards with long strokes. Try to make the first layer thin.
Leave the countertop to dry for a day, then carefully sand the surface with sandpaper, wipe off the dust and apply a second coat of varnish.

Step 6: Whitewash

As soon as the varnish dries after the last painting, start preparing the paint. In this case, the effect of whitewashing is planned, to achieve it, mix 1 part paint with 4 parts water.

Paint over a section of the board with a brush, and then immediately wipe it with a cloth. Paint the entire countertop like this, then add some more water to the paint and go over again.

After complete drying, the table is ready for use.

How to update a polished table

If you have a small polished table gathering dust in a corner for a thousand years, which it is high time to send to a landfill, but your hand does not rise, then you should pick up magic tools and become a fairy godmother for it.

Materials and tools:

Sander;
Sandpaper;
stain;
Paint removal gel;
Plastic scraper;
Brush;
Water-based polyurethane varnish;
Dark enamel paint;
Drawer handles.

Work order

Step 1: Remove old varnish

Dress in closed clothes and shoes. If the legs are removable, separate them from the tabletop for ease of sanding.
Sand all parts of the table well, getting rid of all dents and scratches.
Small parts, as well as places where the table can be damaged, grind with sandpaper.

Step 2: Apply stain

Apply your favorite stain to the prepared parts of the table, following the instructions. Depending on the selected stain, wait for the drying time.

Step 3: Processing the Table Shelf

To clean the shelf of the table, use the gel to remove the paint.
After applying it, wait 4 minutes (depending on the gel) and carefully, with a plastic scraper, clean the shelf, trying not to scrape the wood.
Then apply stain.

Step 4: Varnish the surface

Wipe all parts of the table well, without leaving dust and debris on them. Take a polyurethane varnish, stir it up and start applying with long strokes.
Try to make the first layer thin.. Leave everything to dry for a day, then carefully sand the surface with sandpaper, wipe off the dust and apply a second coat of varnish.
You can, after drying, apply a third layer, but no more.

Step 5: Painting the Table

Paint the table in the color of your choice, wait for it to dry, and assemble it.
Screw the knobs into the drawer.

Agree that the result of the work done is impressive!

How to paint a wooden table white

One of the evenings, you realized, looking around, that you were among monotonous gloomy things? Want to freshen up your room and don't know where to start? White wooden furniture always looks very impressive and expands the space.

You can make a white table from absolutely any color. In this master class, we will show how to paint a black table into white.

Prepare the following:

Means for removing paint and varnish products;
Degreaser;
Plastic scraper;
Fine sandpaper;
Brush;
Polyurethane varnish;
Enamel paint.

Work order:

Step 1: Remove old paint

It is necessary to remove the old layer of varnish from the tables. To do this, use a paint remover. To protect yourself from harmful chemicals, wear protective gloves, a mask and goggles.
Apply the product to the areas where the paint was removed. Depending on the instructions, wait the indicated time and begin to carefully remove the layer of paint, being careful not to scrape the wood.
After removing all the paint, degrease the surface with a special solution.

Step 2: Sand and varnish

Pass sandpaper over the entire surface of the tables. Then wipe them well from dust.
Take polyurethane varnish, stir it and start applying with long strokes. Try to make the first layer thin.
Leave everything to dry for a day, then carefully sand the surface with sandpaper, wipe off the dust and apply a second coat of varnish.

Step 3: Painting the table

Wait for the varnish to dry completely and start applying the paint. Paint in 3 layers and leave to dry for a day. After that, you can arrange tables and please the eye with a new thing.

Loft style wooden dining table

Now very fashionable tabletops made of wood with legs in a contrasting color. Such tables came to us from the Loft style - it is distinguished by its simplicity and a little rudeness. But such wooden tables really suit any interior.

We are watching a master class on how to make a stylish Loft out of an old table.

Instruments:

Saw;
boards;
Polyurethane varnish;
Brush;
Enamel paint;
Liquid Nails;

Mounting technology

Step 1: Cut out the boards

Measure the dimensions of the countertop, its length and width. Boards should be slightly larger, 5 centimeters higher than the future base - countertop

Cover the prepared boards with polyurethane varnish. To do this, stir it and start applying with long strokes. Try to make the first layer thin.
Leave the boards to dry for a day, then carefully sand the surface with sandpaper, wipe off the dust and apply a second coat of varnish.
After the varnish has dried, paint the boards with enamel paint in 2 layers and leave to dry for 12 hours.

Step 2: Installing the countertop

Prepare an old countertop by sprinkling some sand on it and wiping it down with a cloth.
Once the paint is dry, apply liquid nails to the old countertop and start gluing the painted boards to it.
To make the boards stick well, put a load on the countertop and leave it for a day.

The end result is a great little loft-style dining table!

You can refresh the interior, even slightly updating the old thing. You should not spend a lot of money on buying a new dining or coffee table when you can do everything yourself. By adding a little imagination, you can decorate the table simply amazing with the help of stencils.

And if you are at the company with a table , then you will plunge your guests into envy - after all, you will have an original, unique collection of furniture that can even be called designer if you try and decorate it. Create to surprise!

If you have an old dining table that you hold dear as a keepsake, or you just want to save money on buying new furniture, then you have an interesting job as a restorer or decorator.

Keep in mind that restoring a kitchen table with your own hands is not the easiest and, in some cases, not justified, because not every table can be repaired, and it is better to entrust antiques to professionals. But more often than not, the right "upgrade" can bring your old friend back to life and transform him beyond recognition.

How can the table be updated?

To update your kitchen table with your own hands, you can use one of the following proven technologies:

Traditional painting - this is the method we will consider in detail in a step-by-step master class.

An interesting way of decorating and painting furniture is coloring through tulle - a tabletop is painted through it, and a lace pattern is formed according to the principle of a stencil.

Ceramic tiles will allow you to decorate a dilapidated, badly damaged countertop and make it more practical - you can put hot on such a surface and wash it in any way.

You can update the old table using decoupage technique. We will also talk about it in more detail.

An easy way to modify the table with your own hands quickly and on a budget is to paste over it with a self-adhesive film.
Burning will renew an undamaged wood surface.

Master class - 6 steps on the way to a new life

In this simple DIY dining table restoration tutorial, we'll be updating, repairing and repainting this old veneered table with a moderate amount of imperfections.

So, to update the kitchen table you will need:

a grinder or sandpaper of coarse, medium and fine grit, as well as glasses, a respirator and gloves;
alkyd enamel paint of the desired color (or other desired coating, such as stain), as well as a flat, non-shedding paint or art brush;
primer for wood and a small roller / brush for priming;
wax paste or varnish.

Step 1. Inspect and repair parts

We carefully examine all the fasteners in the structure and the defects of the countertop - how much the veneer has delaminated or the tree has been damaged.

If the table is a little loose, then you just need to tighten all the screws. If it requires a more serious restoration, then you need to completely disassemble the table, re-fasten all the parts, or clean and sand all the grooves and joints so that the new glue grabs better, fix the glued parts with clamps or self-tapping screws, and then remove them after 15 hours, when the glue is completely dry.

Sometimes the underframe needs to be replaced, not only because its parts are very dilapidated, but also because the legs can completely modify your old table. For example, if earlier the legs were simple, now you can replace them with beautiful carved balusters.
When disassembling furniture, do not forget to mark the installation location of each of the parts, so you will not get confused and quickly complete the task.

Step 2. Remove the old coating

Now put on goggles and prepare 2 types of sandpaper: coarse-grained for primary processing and fine-grained for smoothing. Get ready for a long and laborious job - removing old paint or varnish is not an easy task.

Step 3. We close up cracks and chips

After grinding, we carefully clean the table from dust, inspect the countertop and look for defects. Keep in mind that even the smallest damage will be visible after painting. All chips and cracks must be locally repaired with wood putty or polyester putty, and then sanded the entire surface again when the “patches” dry out.

Note - covering the table with stain:

if the countertop is not severely damaged, then you can not hide the natural beauty of the wood and cover it with stain, and then with varnish, shellac or wax. The photo below shows an example of a restored table with a stained oak top.

Step 4. Prime and sand again

We continue to work. Now we need not only to clean the table, but also to degrease it. And after the table dries, proceed to the primer. This stage is mandatory, because without it the paintwork will lie unevenly and quickly be damaged. You can use an alkyd or shellac wood primer. In this master class, the universal alkyd primer Zinsser Cover Stain (pictured below) was used, which dries in just 1 hour, protects the wood well and prepares it for painting. It costs about 500-600 rubles, but is not sold everywhere. The table can be primed in 1-2 coats with a small sponge roller, allowing each coat to dry completely.

When the primer is dry (1 day), sand the countertop again with sandpaper or a medium-grit sanding sponge to smooth the primed surface and prepare it for painting. And don't forget to put your respirator back on!

Step 5. Now let's start painting.

It is very important to choose the right paint and its color. Avoid cheap paints, because this is a dining table, which means that the countertop should be well tolerated by frequent washing, rubbing, bumps, etc. In this case, a premium water-based alkyd enamel paint with a satin finish is used, but you can choose a more environmentally friendly acrylic-based enamel. Also, choose a quality brush with passion so that it does not shed in the process. Not a paintbrush, but a large flat art brush is perfect.

The paint must be applied in 2 thin layers, while the finish layer is best left to dry for 3-4 days.

If you have chosen a dark color of paint, then it is better to apply it in 3 thin layers;
To create scuffs in the style, the paint can be sanded in some places, for example, on the ends of the table;
Also, to create the effect of "antique", the table can be patinated.

Step 6. Apply a protective coating

As we said, you can protect the surface of the table with a varnish, for example, a matte water-based polyurethane (in the photo on the left is an excellent varnish from Varathane). It should be applied evenly in 2-3 thin layers, lightly sanding each layer before applying the next layer of varnish. Of course, all layers must be completely dry before sanding (4 hours).

The second option is wax protection, which will make the countertop matte and can be rubbed to a shine. To do this, the wax should be gently rubbed with a cotton cloth into the wood, then allow the first layer to dry for at least 1 hour. After that, polish the surface in a circular motion, and repeat the procedure 2 more times within one day. Well, now be patient and leave the table for 1 week so that the surface acquires the necessary operational properties.

Well, that's all - the restoration is completed, and the old table has found a new life in trendy white.

And here is another interesting video from the program "Cheap and cheerful" on the topic of restoring countertops at home from improvised means.

Updating the countertop with decoupage

If you do not want to stop there or your table does not have serious damage, but just needs a little update, then you can decorate the table with drawings: paint it manually with acrylic paints, use stencils and stamps, or update the table with decoupage. Perhaps, it is this decor technique that is popular today that we will consider in more detail, because decoupage will not only allow you to quickly and budgetly transform the table or, for example, style it like Shabby chic (as in the photo below), but also hide some defects of the dilapidated surface.

To update the table with your own hands using the decoupage technique, you will need:

acrylic primer and acrylic paints - if desired;
putty for wood beige;
grinder and sandpaper of varying degrees of graininess;
rubber spatulas;
artistic flat and artificial brushes;
matte or semi-gloss varnish for wood;
napkins for decoupage or decoupage card;
scissors;
PVA glue or special glue for decoupage.

Decor using the decoupage technique can be started either after the stage of priming and polishing it (see step number 4 above), or after painting and varnishing. Then you should choose a picture - it can be any image on paper or table napkins, as well as special rice paper for decoupage.

First, markup is performed, lightly marking with a pencil the places where the images will be located. We put the cut out paper image “face down” in a container with water and hold for half a minute. Then the soaked image is laid out in the same way “face down” on a plastic file, and all excess paper layers are rolled off. Then the picture is carefully smeared with glue and attached to the countertop. The file is not removed - through it the image is smoothed as much as possible.

The surface around the pictures is decorated with paint. The final stage of decoupage is varnishing with acrylic varnish. After three days, the varnish will dry and the table can be fully used.

And finally, a selection of photos for your inspiration.

An old table in a home is more than just a piece of furniture. In a sense, this is history, the memory of ancestors, a symbol of the long-term stability of the native home.

An old table can be restored, giving it a second life, and saving yourself a lot of money on buying a new table.

The ideal balance between careful attention to the history of one's own kind and the needs of everyday household comfort is provided by the restoration of the table with one's own hands. Indeed, you should not rush to throw away an old table found in the attic - a good repair can breathe a second life into a dilapidated item, saving its owner's money, intended for the purchase of new furniture.

Perhaps such a repair will also give new aesthetic sensations at the sight of unusual shapes and silhouettes, will delight you with a pleasant warm texture of solid wood, cleaned of dirt and layers of outdated finishes.

But before proceeding to the description of the course of restoration work, let's see what can be used to perform them with the highest quality.

Materials and tools required for restoration

For work on restoring and updating the old table with your own hands, it is recommended to stock up on tools and materials from the following list:

Hand tools for restoration.

electric drill, wood drills;
a set of chisels;
end planer;
a hammer;
nail puller;
screwdrivers (flat and Phillips);
clamps;
jigsaw (manual or electric);
pliers and round nose pliers;
hacksaws (for wood and metal);
mounting knife;
a set of files;
measuring devices (ruler, square, tape measure);
felt polish;
set of brushes;
wood glue;
acrylic varnish, stain.

Restoration of a wooden table: the order of operations

Restoration begins with the removal of old varnish and paint.

Before proceeding with the implementation of this plan, it is necessary to carefully examine the entire table and its most hidden nooks and crannies. This is done in order to correctly assess the overall technical condition of the item and plan the total amount of work.

Almost any cardinal restoration of the table begins with its disassembly. As a rule, the older the object, the more of its details require serious instrumental intervention. In some cases (if, for example, the countertop has become very warped due to a very long operation), it is simply pointless to restore certain parts - it will turn out to be too expensive and ineffective.

Then it is better to either independently manufacture a product that has finally failed, or order a part from specialists on the side. If the damage from time and from improper storage turned out to be not so destructive, then the old structure should be carefully strengthened. This means, in particular, that existing joints that are not very strong must be tightened, and strongly loose joints must be disassembled, then cleaned and re-twisted or glued.

It has been noticed that in furniture, one of the most affected components over time is the paintwork.

The varnish is stripped from the table to the very base.

Therefore, often when they start updating an old wooden table, you have to deal with peeling off the old paint (which may be laid in several layers) from the table surfaces.

In the presence of too thick coatings or large areas of damaged surface, it is recommended to use a drill with a wire brush attachment or a grinder to remove the paint. After the complete removal of the old paint, the next stage of preparation is carried out.

It consists in degreasing the cleaned surface. This can be done by carefully wiping the wooden parts with a soft cloth soaked in special solvents suitable for this coating, alcohol or acetone. In parallel, obvious defects are polished with sandpaper or a grinder.

However, chronic damage (potholes, scratches, chips, etc.) cannot always be removed by grinding. High-quality restoration involves the obligatory puttying of the surfaces of the old table. At the same time, we must not forget that after the putty has completely dried, all surfaces to be treated must be well sanded again.

If possible, it is desirable to carry out the processing of old wooden parts separately, after carefully separating the table top and underframe. The tabletop is sanded again, after which it is painted with paint suitable for furniture and covered with 2-3 layers of colorless varnish. This operation is carried out without haste, with keeping each layer of paint and varnish until they are completely dry.

in the presence of faults, these places are glued and tightly pressed against each other with a clamp.

Another part of the table - the underframe - often requires even more attention than the table top. After many years of operation, it may have cracks in parts and serious fractures. If the owner of such a rarity nevertheless decides to restore it, then he should first, using the appropriate tools, disconnect the legs from the underframe.

Fault points for further connection of parted parts must be glued. Then, using clamps, these parts are pressed tightly against each other. Sometimes, for better tightening of dried parts to each other, you can use self-tapping screws, which are very useful in uncomfortable places where it is difficult or impossible to install a clamp.

After the glue dries (after about 12-15 hours), the screws are removed from the wooden elements of the table. The tabletop and underframe are connected to each other either with glue or with a removable connection, which will be very useful in small apartments.

The restoration of the table ends with varnishing of the wooden parts. But before that, they must be opened with stain. To avoid streaks, it is better to do this with a piece of soft foam rubber. After the stain has dried, the wooden surfaces of the table are primed with a transparent varnish (primer) and lightly treated with a thin sandpaper.

How can you restore "specialized" tables?

When updating tables, you should always take into account their purpose and where they will be in the future:

A table for a nursery can be decorated with photographs and drawings.

Table for children. It is recommended that after cleaning the tabletop from old paint and sanding, stick clippings from bright glossy magazines or children's pictures on its surface. Then all this is covered with 4 layers of acrylic varnish.
Dressing table restoration. An original solution can be to remake an old toiletry table into a sink stand. In the middle of the table, a hole is cut out of such a size that a sink can fit into it, but without significant protrusions above the surface of the table. Ceramic tiles can be glued to the remaining space on the countertop.
Kitchen table. You can paint an old piece of furniture with some bright paint. A film is glued onto the painted tabletop, which, for example, imitates beautiful lace. However, the film can not be glued to the countertop, but attached from below with special brackets.
Desk update. You can cover the old countertop with some wallpaper with a spectacular print. To give furniture freshness and solidity, wallpapers that imitate the texture of wood of any valuable species are well suited. To give the composition a sense of wholeness and completeness, the legs of the table can be varnished in wood tones.
Coffee table. With this option, a bright pattern with geometric elements will harmonize well. As a background for it, it is better to choose some kind of soft paint, which is recommended to be applied to the countertop with an airbrush. The geometric pattern is applied to the dried painted surface with a brush or special masking tape. Fragments between the stripes can be filled with paints of bright colors.

The kitchen table can be decorated using decoupage technique.

If the legs of the table are detached from the underframe, it is worthwhile to mark in advance exactly where the particular leg was located. Each leg should be installed in the place where it was before repair.

When covering the table with a white primer, one must be prepared for the fact that then almost all defects will become visible on its surfaces.

To ensure maximum durability of furniture surfaces, the varnish coating should have at least 3 layers made with a paint roller, 5 layers with an airbrush and 10 layers with a cotton swab.

Sanding wood countertops should be along the grain of the wood. If you do this across the fibers, there will be noticeable small risks on the countertop.

Taking on the restoration of old furniture with your own hands, you should also think about the fact that this process is not only an opportunity to save your money, but also a great chance to reveal your talent as a home design master.