You are here:

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Painting my Coffee Table

Advertisement

Expert: - 7/22/2009


Question
I finally had time! so dashed to the Hardware store to purchase the paints. My round Pottery Barn coffee table had a glossy top (I think Maple), softer wooden legs, and a really thin (particle board?) shelf below. Not worth the $ but it is the perfect size and shape. Today I decided I wanted it black so washed it well then sprayed it with 2 cans of grey primer, but did NOT sand or strip beforehand. Mistake I hope not!  Most covered well, the center area of the shelf did not so I now need to use sandpaper to roughen it up before repriming a 3rd time. The top is blotchy so it also needs more primer to make it uniform. The primed surfaces were rough so I used fine steel wool and 'sanded' it smooth which worked well on most. Should I switch from the spray for a 3rd coat of primer? I plan to resand with fine steel wool again then paint the Black. I plan to sand and 'distress' the edges.
What type of paint & top coat should I buy that will give it a Satin or semi-glossy finish with depth and durability? (I do have a glass top for it). Are oil based paints 'out'? He sold me black spray paint and a poly spray but I believe I would rather use a Purdy brush but don't want the strokes to show. Will I need a Poly top coat? I won't go any further until you answer altho I should have asked you first! Thank you in advance for your time and expertise!

Answer
You should have scuff sanded or stripped to start. 3 coats of primer is really too much. A single coat of primer should be fine, and a solvent based Satin black (Krylon) should give you a nice finish coat, and if you plan to put glass over it then you can probably forgo the topcoat.A spray Acrylic poly would e ok too....inf finishing the thinner the coats the better...post back if need be- Greg

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.