Expert: Eileen Cronk - 6/2/2008

Question
Hi, I have a 10 year old table that has a natural wood finish. My diningroom is a open floor plan with my livingroom and just got a dark brown leather set and my table does not mix. I would like to paint it but I don't know what to do. The top of it I would like to keep natural because of the use it gets from my 3 kids. The bottom is what I want to paint. Do I have to sand it first ? Also what do I use to make it look like the same finish as the top so it does not stand outand look like a homemade job.

Answer
Hi Kristen
Nice to hear from you.
Yes you have to sand the table legs in order for the new paint to stick.
Use 180 grit paper.
If your table top is very shiny then you could use a gloss water based paint.
If its only slightly shiny use a semi gloss paint.
And if its dull use a flat paint.
But personally I would not worry in the least about matching the gloss.
I would use a semi gloss water based paint.
And buy a very good water based brush to apply it.
Kristen if you take your time and don't try to get the legs covered in one coat you will do a good job.
This will likely take 3 light coats of paint.
Hope this helps
Regards
Eileen