Table Redo for $12 – Holla! + My Best Tips on How to Spray Paint Furniture
Over the years I’ve gotten LOTS of emails with questions about this little’ ol table in our entryway. I have to agree with almost everyone in saying that it’s pretty much the PERFECT size for an entryway like mine. Measuring at around 56 inches wide, 35 inches tall and 11 inch wide, this lovely lady has been with us through thick and thin, and will probably always have a place in our home, one way color or another.
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You know how you have something for SO long that you sometimes forget where you even got it? Well, that’s happened to me once or twice with this piece, actually. I finally asked Cason where we snagged this, and he reminded me that it was from a friend who was moving about 8 years ago. He recalls that we paid $20 for it. This whole time I was thinking we picked it up at our local thrift store.
Yikes, bad memory. ha!
You can read all about our table redo, when we painted this baby white, but just so you know, it originally started out in natural wood, then went deep red with a black stain, transitioned into white with a glaze and now, we’re goin’ a pretty shade of green… well, Jade, to be exact.
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When we painted this table white we rolled it with latex paint and a non-textured roller. This time, since I’ve been diggin’ the whole sprayin’ scene lately, I thought we’d try spray painting this table instead, and along the way share some tips and tricks with all of you.
First, we removed the hardware from the drawers and doors. I always put mine in a plastic bag, to make sure they all stay together.
As you can see, our table has been beaten up, and stained (due to a plant that leaked some water while we were away on a 3 day long vacation). No worries though, I just took a 100 grit sandpaper to the top of it, and evened everything out. The sanding got rid of most of the yellow water stains, and a few of the nicks and scratches… but any deep gouges from kids or decor, I didn’t really stress over. It gives the table character and a natural “distressed” look that I sort of like.
Because our table wasn’t finished with a lacquer or super-shiny paint, I didn’t have to worry about reaaaally sanding hard-core. Just a light once-over was enough. Then to make sure I got rid of any dust, I used a dry cloth to wipe any unwanted dust particles away.
In the Kyrlon 24 in 24 challenge, we used this Jade color on a bathroom vanity redo, and I LOVED it! Since then I’ve been wanting to get my hands on some so I could spray something in my own house this shade. One coat brings out the greens in this color, two & three deepens it a LOT more and then you see all the blues that are combined as well. LOVE it!
Okay, so I’ll admit, before my crazy 24 hours straight of spray painting this past year, I was totally anti-spraying-furniture. Why?… because you can ALWAYS see the strokes and streaks when finished.
no bueno.
I figured that this was just inevitable with spray paint, especially when you’re applying it to a larger, flat surface… but once I hung out with the main peeps from Krylon for a few hours, gathering all of their best tips, I realized that it’s NOT the spray paints fault at all… but usually the SPRAYERS! I’ve touched on some of these tips already, but I wanted to get specific, for those of you who have asked.
So, according to me, here are the
MUST KNOW tips when spray painting furniture, to ensure a great finish:
1. Shake, Shake, Shake! – Shake your spray paint can for at LEAST 1 minute. They don’t put that noisy little ball in your paint can for no reason. It’s to help stir around the paint and other chemicals in the bottle, that may settle after time from being on the shelf in a store. Mixing your paint well will give you the BEST result, no questions asked.
2. Sample Spray – ALWAYS spray your paint on a scrap piece of something FIRST, before you start in on your project. This will ensure that you have a perfect nozzle and good flow from your can. (you don’t want splatters or spitting of paint on your furniture).
3. Distance – Some brands are different than others so make sure you read the can, but most spray painting products advise that you hold their cans about 8 inches away from the surface you’re painting. This will help you avoid drips and paint puddles.
4. Long Strokes + Feathering – This is especially important when you’re spraying a large, smooth surface. Long even strokes that slightly layer over each other and feather off at each end, is the best way to get even coverage. Feathering is the secret here people. I PROMISE, you will NOT have visible, streaky paint lines if you slightly overlap and feather your paint.
*** feathering is when you push down the nozzle on your spray paint can while it’s OFF of your furniture, then you slowly bring it down onto your piece, apply a long stroke of paint, and then when you’re ready to lift off your surface, elevate your arm + spray can (while still spraying) upward, so that you mist the paint towards the end of your stroke. This results in a “fade” type look, that will guarantee you don’t end up with hard stroke lines in your end result. ***
5. Hurry, but be Patient! – Confusing, right? This tip is a BIG one! Ever get bubbling or wrinkling with spray paint? It’s probably because you didn’t spray your additional paint coats within your paint can’s given time frame. Each brand is different, so read the can, but when spraying multiple coats, know that you have a VERY SPECIFIC window of time, for re-painting/re-coating your piece to get the desired look you want. Kryon’s ColorMaster paints have a 4 hour window; meaning you can spray a coat, wait about 30 seconds to 1 minute, and then spray again. Then, if you want another coat, but think your piece is too tacky for it, you can wait to spay that third coat, BUT, it has to be within a 4 hour window. If you miss that 4 hour window, and go back to spray an additional coat on your piece before the paint is completely cured… it may result in wrinkling or bubbling of the paint. eeek!
Lots of other brands only offer a 1 hour window, and that’s why so many DIY’ers have had issues with this in the past. (a lot can happen in ones life in an hour, and second and third coats of spray paint sometimes aren’t in the cards). ha! So, what do you do if you miss that window of opportunity for additional coats? You wait. Yup, usually it’s about 12-24 hours. (meaning, until the paint is completely cured). That’s why I either opt for a paint that has a bigger “additional-coating-window” or a day where I know I can finish up a project without being interrupted/distracted.
6. Less is More – Thin, multiple coats of paint are ALWAYS better than heavy fewer ones. Again, going with this tactic, combined with the layering + feathering, will almost always equal a flawless finish in the end.
It may sound like a lot to remember, but once you’ve got down the technique and secrets to getting the best finish, you can apply them to ANY item you’re spraying.
For this project I also sprayed the old hardware gold. All we did for that was sand down the existing white paint with 100 grit sandpaper, dust the hardware off and give them a few coats of Krylon’s Metallic Gold paint.
I’m always a sucker for new hardware, but since we wanted to get this project done in a few hours, and the hardware we already had was just fine, we screwed it right back on to finish off the whole look.
Ta-Da!
A totally different lookin’ table for $12 – holla’!
(and not even really $12, because I had the gold spray paint left over from another project… but you get the idea. PS… I used 3 cans of Jade for this table)
I loved that white, but I’m TOTALLY DIGGIN’ this Jade for right now. It just pops, right alongside that starburst mirror, and brings some much needed life into our little entryway!
Stay tuned, because I’m spending today adding simple, everyday decor to this space that I can’t wait to show you guys.
…till then!
Unknown says
Looks great! Love that pop of color!
Anna says
I love it! Great job! My entryway table is a pretty blue color, so I can't wait to see how you'll decorate this. I know it will help me!
Unknown says
Love the color Shelley, it turned out great. Where's you mirror from?
Unknown says
I know this is a post about spray painting (which btw was awesome…thanks so much for all the great tips!) but how cute is your manicure?! Loving the neon polish and don't even get me started on the gold nail. Gorgeous!!
Amber's Snippets of Design says
Love your table hunny!!! I think this is the best life your table has had so far! It's lovely!
I love that you reuse all of your furniture, I have the same habit… it makes life more fun, don't you think? ๐
xo,
amber
snippetsofdesign{dot}com
Unknown says
This looks like a totally different (but still awesome) table! Love the color and hardware ๐
xo
Anonymous says
Love the Jade color and it doesn't have that spray paint look – looks great!!!
slip4 says
Love love that color! Can't wait to see what you are going to add on…
Meagan @ Meagan Tells All says
Awesome!! Where is that sunburst mirror from!?
Unknown says
Thanks for the tips! I had no idea about the whole time window thing. In love with your new and improved table!! Have a super day! ๐
Stacey says
Oh yay! We have a strange entry way…when you walk in the door it's a small space and then opens up into a big space. Right by the door I have a table similar to yours. Can't wait to see how you style it. I think it is hard to make a small table like that look significant enough for an entry. Know what I mean? I'm always staring and tweaking. You've got such great style…show me the way. ๐
DeeAnna says
What a gorgeous color! It looks lovely, and I have a little entryway table that's been begging for color for a few months!
Kari Maddox says
I love the Jade color! Just perfect~!
Shannon says
Love this. I'm going to have to use that color on something. Not sure what, but it is pretty. Thanks for sharing all your tips!
Shannon @ bohemianjunktion.com
KellyB says
Hilarious!! I have this EXACT SAME table that my mother-in-law gave me because she knows how I love to paint furniture ๐ It's just sitting in my garage forever..begging to be painted. LOVE how yours turned out!!!
NC says
I love the jade color. The table looks amazing. I also like that you sprayed the hardware gold. I know you're adding gold throughout your home and this is a nice, not in your face touch. It looks great!
Crystal says
I love it!! The jade adds a great pop of color!! Thanks for the tips on spray painting furniture. I'm about to spray paint a stool. Love it!!
Unknown says
I love the color, so dreamy! Must buy some of that color!
Unknown says
Love that color, it's so dreamy!
Unknown says
We are building a fort for our kids. We bought unfinished barn sashes (windows) that I wanted to paint black. So I started with a brush and a quart of paint but it was going sooooo slowly! So I went to the store and bought several cans of black spray paint. Oh my goodness, this went so much faster!! There's also a little dresser in our garage that I'm dying to get painted but the thought of PAINTING it is stressing me out. I might just have to go the spray paint route with that one too! Inspriational!
Kylie Rose says
LOVE that hardware! Gorgeous! Great painting tips too. Thanks Shel!
Xo Kylie
The Stokers says
The table looks gorgeous! Love that color! Where is the mirror from?
Rhonda says
I love the table, and also love your nail polish!!! What color is it?
Rhonda says
Love the table! And love your nail polish as well! What brand/ color is it?
Gwen, The Makerista says
great tips! my husband is the spray painting master, but i sometimes struggle with the patience of thin layers and the ability to start spraying off the piece and finish off the piece. the idea of feathering and lifting the arm is brilliant! i just posted last week about going 2 for 4 with spray painting projects. ๐ thanks for some more tips!
Sarah says
Love that color! Great job!!
Lolly Jane says
I always enjoy a good spray paint project. Well done, m'dear! (:
Emily says
The color looks great and I love how the nobs stand out now.
Unknown says
Brilliant. I like that you are not afraid to take a risk.
courtcourt04 says
Looks awesome! I used that exact spray paint for my make up table & chair. I LOVE IT!
Unknown says
I gotta say, I had my doubts about that paint color, but it's perfect. Love it!
Happy Hollister's says
I have that same side table. I've wanted to paint mine for the longest time, now I'm going to.
j. says
Wondering if you applied any kind of finish?
Unknown says
Hi, I love the red with black finish..how did you achieve it?? ๐
Unknown says
Hi there! I love the red-y black finish…how did you achieve this? ๐
Unknown says
Pity about the electrical outlet.
Unknown says
Pity about the electrical outlet. Was there nowhere else to put your pretty table?
Anonymous says
Amazing tips! I'm working on a DIY with spray paint, may I link this post?
Thanks
~Melissa
skiptomyrue.com
Unknown says
I'm so impressed and just found your site.Thank you for sharing some of your tips.Great short and to the point tutorial, definitely has me ready to take on some of my painting projects!!!!