How to Refinish a Wooden Picnic Table in 4 Easy Steps
- #1. Sand the top of the table and the benches. Use the 60 grit sanding discs first to strip the peeling finish. ...
- #2. Stain the bottom of the table and benches first and then the top. A couple pointers here. ...
- #3. Sand the top with 220 fine grit paper. This is the secret to a smooth finish. ...
- #4. Apply a second coat of stain.
- Sand the wooden picnic table, using a power sander equipped with a very coarse 36-grit sandpaper. ...
- Dust the picnic table, using a broom.
- Sand the wooden picnic table a second time. ...
- Wash the wooden picnic table, using a pressure washer. ...
- Place a canvas drop cloth beneath the table.
- Apply one coat of oil-based stain.
How do you restore a wooden picnic table?
Dust the picnic table, using a broom. Sand the wooden picnic table a second time. This time, use a finer 100-grit sandpaper. Wash the wooden picnic table, using a pressure washer. Let the table dry under the sun for a full day. Place a canvas drop cloth beneath the table. Apply one coat of oil-based stain.
How do you sand and dust a picnic table?
Sand the wooden picnic table, using a power sander equipped with a very coarse 36-grit sandpaper. Move the power sander along with the picnic table's wood grain, or damage may occur. Step 2 Dust the picnic table, using a broom.
How do you remove paint from a picnic table?
Place each piece of the picnic table on a pair of saw horses. Scrape the planks with a hand scraper to remove larger chunks of paint before sanding each plank down with your choice of sanding tools. Continue sanding the planks with a belt sander fitted with 120-grit paper. An orbital sander will work just as well.
Can You refinish a wooden table?
Actually, no—designers and woodworkers aren’t the only ones who can refinish a table. You can give your trusty-but-a-little-beat-up flea market find a whole new lease on life in just a few steps, regardless of whether or not you’ve ever wielded sandpaper.
How do I stain a wood dog?
How to smooth a stain?
How many grit discs to use for peeling finish?
Do I sand the bottom of a table when I redo it?
Can you stain a table top upside down?
Is it better to paint or stain a picnic table?
Stain it! Not only does stain update the look of your picnic table, but it extends its life, giving you more years of enjoyment around it. Staining a picnic table doesn't take professional skill or a large budget - it's a simple project you can do yourself.
How do you sand and finish a picnic table?
StepsPre-sand the wood before you get started.Apply a full coat of primer to all surfaces with a good oil-based or water-based exterior primer.Allow that coat of primer to dry thoroughly.Apply two finish coats of satin or semi-gloss exterior enamel.Follow the sanding and straining instructions in the first option.
How do I clean an old wooden picnic table?
Use a power washer or hose to spray off dirt and grime. Remember to spray the benches and legs in addition to the tabletop. Use a wood cleaner to remove any stubborn dirt stains left after spraying.
How do you remove old paint from a picnic table?
0:081:05How to Strip Old Paint from Your Garden Furniture - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUse a palette knife to get where your brush can't reach then give it a really good wash down to getMoreUse a palette knife to get where your brush can't reach then give it a really good wash down to get rid of any leftover paint and stripper once dry you'll be ready to protect.
What is the best finish for a picnic table?
For many outdoor projects, using varnish is the best choice. Unlike polyurethane, which is water or oil-based plastic resin, varnish is made from solvents, resins and oils. It is an older product that is often better-suited for weather conditions.
What do you use to refinish a picnic table?
You will need:Orbital hand sander.60 grit sanding disc.120 grit sanding disc.Cabot Gold The Ultimate Finish.Paintbrush <—- The Wooster Shortcut is my FAVORITE.220 fine-grit sandpaper sheets.
How do you paint an old wooden picnic table?
Begin by cleaning your picnic table with soapy water to remove dirt and grime. Sand the table to make sure the surface is splinter-free and then rinse after sanding. Allow surface to dry before painting. For best painting results, refrain from painting when the temperature drops below 50 degrees.
How long do wooden picnic tables last?
A wooded picnic table rarely last 10 years without needing replacement slats, which might be required yearly to eliminate bleed sap. Recycled plastic picnic tables typically last 15 years or more with no maintenance except slight cleaning.
How do you freshen outdoor wood furniture?
Light cleaning of wood outdoor furniture is best done with a cloth moistened with water or a mild soapy solution. For deeper cleaning at the start and finish of each season or in the instance of tougher stains or mold, you can scrub with a soft brush and a mix of water and dishwasher detergent or oxygen bleach.
Do you have to remove all old paint before repainting furniture?
Before painting wooden furniture, you need to remove the paint and finish already coating it and sand it down to make it ready for a new coat.
Can I paint over old paint?
If the current wall is smooth, clean and covered with the same type of paint (both are oil-based for example), you can head straight for the paint. You need to fill holes, spackle and sand*, maybe even cut a new piece of drywall in to the existing wall.
Does vinegar remove paint wood?
Vinegar does not remove paint from wood, but it can soften paint and make it easier to remove. It is a non-toxic, natural alternative to chemical paint strippers, but may take a little more time and effort to get all the paint off.
How do you waterproof a wooden picnic table?
There are three surefire ways to waterproof your wood for years to come. Use linseed or Tung oil to create a beautiful and protective hand-rubbed finish. Seal the wood with coating of polyurethane, varnish, or lacquer. Finish and waterproof wood simultaneously with a stain-sealant combo.
Should I polyurethane my picnic table?
Insects and mold are less likely to make their home on a painted surface. However, paint will eventually deteriorate, so another layer of protection is necessary for outdoor use. An exterior-grade, oil-based polyurethane is ESSENTIAL.
How do you finish an outdoor table?
0:363:37Outdoor Wood Finish - Outdoor Table Wood Sealer - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRight now i've got two coats on the table. And i'm going to i'm going to apply a third one simply byMoreRight now i've got two coats on the table. And i'm going to i'm going to apply a third one simply by pouring it on. And i'll rub it around let it sink into the wood. Really let it absorb.
What kind of paint do you use on a picnic table?
An oil based enamel paint that has a high UV rating is one of the best exterior paint for wooden furniture. Always choose top of the line paints instead of a cheap paint. It lasts longer and gives a better finish.
How to get a stain out of a picnic table?
Don't use the same synthetic paintbrushes that you use to apply latex paint; instead, choose a brush that has natural bristles. Brush the stain on and then immediately wipe the wet finish from the picnic table, using rags. Let the table dry under the sun for three hours.
What happens if you leave a picnic table unfinished?
If left unfinished, your picnic table will turn gray. An oil-based wood finish can bring new beauty to an older picnic table and add years to its life. Over time, existing finishes may fade and wear, leaving the wood exposed and discolored.
How to get a stain out of a brush?
Wash the stain out of the brush, using mineral spirits.
What to do with a newly finished picnic table?
Use your newly finished picnic table for outdoor-movie theater seating, a summer lunch, or enjoying nature.
How to make a wood table look smoother?
At this point, you may need to apply some wood filler to the table. Wood filler will help fill in any gaps around the grain of the wood to make it look and feel smoother. Use the wood filler as specified on the product. Sand down the wood filler once it's dry.
How to get chemical stripper off of table?
After you’ve let the chemical stripper sit, you should be able to easily scrape off the finish. Using a putty knife, firmly press down on the table and scrape the finish completely off.
Can you put polyurethane over a wood picnic table?
Finally, apply a polyurethane finish over the top of the wooden picnic table. If need be, you can apply a second coat after the first one dries. Let all coats dry thoroughly before using the wood table. Use your newly finished picnic table for outdoor-movie theater seating, a summer lunch, or enjoying nature.
How many coats of paint do you need to paint a picnic table?
This part of the process takes the longest, because you must wait for a color to dry before you can begin painting an adjacent color, and each color might require 2-3 coats before it looks saturated. After the entire picnic table is painted, you can paint on the polyurethane sealant.
What tape do I use to lay out a tic tac toe board?
I also used masking tape to lay out the tic tac toe board, then traced around it in pencil and tore off the tape.
Can you paint a picnic table?
If your picnic table is old and care-worn, replace any rotten wood and sand the other surfaces down to clean boards, first. If your picnic table is brand-new, you can paint right onto the unfinished wood.
Can you seal a picnic table with white primer?
You only need to prime the area that you’ll be working on, as you can otherwise seal the bare wood of the underside of the picnic table and benches. I used white primer, but I’d actually recommend avoiding white unless you really want that specific color in the background of your design, or you plan to completely cover the white with another color. Even after several coats of sealant, white quickly looks dirty, and that happens all the more quickly outside. If I had this project to do again, I’d have instead started with a slate grey or blue for the picnic table’s top.
Can you use water based paint on outdoor furniture?
Avoid oil-based paint, which generally has more VOCs than water-based paint, and requires paint thinner to clean up. You can use any water-based outdoor paint, and look for the smaller, approximately 200 mL “sample” containers to avoid waste. For this project, I bought 200 ml containers of Dutch Boy Maxbond Exterior in satin. There’s just enough paint to refinish my two picnic tables, one old and one new, and freshen up the work on the deck chairs that I refinished here on CAGW four years ago.
First, Shop for a Few Supplies
All-purpose cleaning spray and a cloth or paper towels Coarse sandpaper (60-, 120-, and 360-grit) A block or mechanical sander A clean, dry tack cloth Stain (or primer and paint)
Now, Here's How to Refinish a Table
1. Understand what you're working with. Furniture designer Andrew Hamm cautions you to “pay attention to the level of detail on the piece before you start.
How to clean a table top with oxalic acid?
Scrub the tabletop and benches with a coarse synthetic brush, being careful not to score the -surfaces. You can use a putty knife or a painter's 5-in-1 tool (a hook-shaped putty knife) to remove any junk that's built up between boards. Now rinse everything and let it all dry.
What to use to clean rusty screws before refinishing?
The last step before refinishing is to replace any rusty screws or bolts with some made of hot-dipped galvanized steel.
How do I stain a wood dog?
First, make sure the bottoms are really clean. Use a shop vac or a bristled brush to make sure the dirt and grime are off the bottom. I don’t bother sanding, but I do make sure they are very clean. Two, if there is break down or rot in the feet fill them with wood filler and let harden prior to staining.
How to smooth a stain?
This is the secret to a smooth finish. In between coats of stain or poly use a fine grit sand paper (220 or 320 for an indoor piece) and hand sand in between coats.
How many grit discs to use for peeling finish?
Use the 60 grit sanding discs first to strip the peeling finish.
Do I sand the bottom of a table when I redo it?
I rarely sand the bottom of tables and benches when I redo them. It’s a bother, and frankly, you can hardly tell the difference unless you are on your hands and knees picking up all the crumbs from your messy children. And at that point I’m more bothered by the fact that I have such messy children.
Can you stain a table top upside down?
You will not see them from this angle and could get darker pools of dried stain onto the top. Lastly, don’t stain the sides of the table top when it’s upside down. Same principle. It will run and leave a darker line all around the top.