Doing the restoration of the table with our own hands
Loosening legs, damaging table tops in the kitchen or living room are not uncommon. Over time, the fasteners weaken, and due to accidental mechanical damage, the surface can get cracks, chips or scuffs. It is possible to restore furniture attractiveness and integrity, to carry out high-quality restoration of the table with your own hands. Below in detailed workshops we talked about 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 in addition it is interesting to decorate the old table, give it a new look. For the restoration, special tools are not needed: almost all of them can be found in the arsenal of the modern owner. But for restoration and decoration, you will need to separately select special materials and compositions.
Familiarization with the modern methods of repairing it, as well as the view obtained after processing, will help determine the optimal option for table restoration. You can cover products as follows:
Using ordinary brushes (to create a perfectly smooth surface or to create a smooth transition from one color to another by mixing paints directly on the countertop with a small brush).
Through nets, tulle, stencils (for patterns and stylized spots on the surface).
Craquelure compositions (allows you to stylize antique, give the surface the appearance of cracked paint).
You can also glue tables with different types of films, carry out gluing with paper materials. All the options considered 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
Restoring a natural wood table requires a thorough approach to each stage of restoration. Only in this way will it be possible to do the job 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 in the recovery process to buy the necessary materials).
Initial repair of the entire structure (this stage concerns the restoration of the integrity of the product: for example, for the dining table, the work will be to repair the frame, for writing - to repair the frame, shelves, drawers).
Removing old coatings, restoring wood.
Primary processing and decoration of furniture.
The final stage in 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 more time and may not bring the desired result.
Necessary materials and tools
To safely and correctly restore the old table, you will need to prepare the following tools and materials:
Protective equipment (glasses, mask, gloves).
Emery paper (small + coarse) or a grinder (with fine and coarse grinding wheels).
Painting tools (brushes, rollers).
Protective compounds for wood (high-quality impregnation to protect the tree from moisture, rot, pests, bluish).
Coloring and auxiliary compositions (selected paint for repainting wooden furniture or stain, primer, varnish).
Mounts and tools for repairing the old table (screwdriver, screwdriver, 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 restoration: a place with a scratch just needs to be re-treated with wax.
Preliminary repair
The initial repair involves restoring the strength of the entire table structure. Therefore, you need to start recovery by identifying problem areas. For example, at a table with loosened legs, they should be removed and the attachment points should be examined (chipped threads are considered to be a common cause of this phenomenon). If necessary, damaged areas must be glued with furniture glue. If the problem is that the glue dries with which individual parts were glued (for example, in the area of dowels connecting the legs and the shelf of the coffee table), then remove the old glue and put the parts on liquid nails. In the case of dining tables, transformers may need to restore the mechanism for adjusting the height of the table.Usually the problem with the poor movement of the mechanism is solved by simple cleaning of parts and their lubrication.
Removing old coating
When the initial repair was carried out, and the furniture was returned to its former strength and reliability, you can begin to remove the old coating. Work can be carried out in several ways:
Mechanical.
In this case, the cleaning of the old varnish and paint is carried out using an abrasive sandpaper or grinder. Coarse cleaning is initially carried out: coarse or medium-grained sandpaper strips peeling off pieces of varnish and paint. Then finely abrasive emery is carried out more accurately removing residues. The main thing is not to overdo it in the work and not to remove the top layer of the tree.
Chemical.
There are special formulations designed to remove old varnish and paint from wood. They are applied with a brush to the furniture. Then after 20-30 minutes they are removed with a brush (already together with the corroded old coating).
Dust should be removed from the cleaned tree and treated with antiseptic impregnation. Impregnation usually takes about 24 hours to dry. Such work should be carried out both for furniture made of natural wood, and for products made of chipboard, MDF.
Sealing cracks and chips
In order to qualitatively repair the table, and not just refresh it, care should be taken to get rid of chips and cracks. To work, you need a brush, putty for wood (preferably as close as possible in color to the color of wood), fine abrasive sandpaper. The following master class will help to carry out the work correctly:
Thoroughly remove dust from damaged areas (chips and cracks). 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 putty on wood. It is necessary to invest the composition as deep as possible in order to completely close the formed recesses.
Carefully remove excess putty: level the surface of the restored areas.
After the putty dries, go through the treated areas with fine abrasive sandpaper.
Finishing Preparation: Primer
Before decorating the restored table and decorating it, the surface should be primed. This requirement applies to the countertop, and to the frame itself. To work, you will need shellac, acrylic or alkyd primer: they are suitable for coating 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 to get an even layer. After covering individual sections, you need to align all the transitions so that there are no differences.
After the first coat has dried (usually 1 to 6 hours), apply the second coat and wait for it to dry.
Grind on top of the dried primer to ensure a good leveling of the surface and exclude any differences.
Ways to give the final decor
It is unusual to paint or decorate a table without involving specialists - with your own hands. Such work can be carried out in different ways:
conventional staining;
It is carried out using wood paints and brushes. The composition is evenly distributed over all surfaces.
staining with curly rollers;
For painting, 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 are glued (solid sheets or cut elements).
dyeing through tulle;
On top of the prepared surface (simply primed or painted white), an ironed tulle is laid out. Spray paint is sprayed on top. The tulle is carefully removed so that the pattern is not smeared.
stencil staining;
A stencil is made (or bought ready-made) from cardboard. A stencil is applied to the table, and through the cut out template, the tabletop is painted. A popular option for highlighting the perimeter, corners or center of the table.
multicolor coloring.
Several colors with similar colors are used (for example, from light to dark). Paints of different colors are applied in wide stripes. Then, smooth transitions are carefully made between them with a brush.
Final varnish or wax coating
Fix the result of decoration and additionally protect the table from damage, moisture will help its finish - with varnish or wax. Modern varnishes have a fairly good wear resistance, can be used for coffee tables (which are rarely used), and for kitchen tables (operated daily). Wax provides the most reliable protection, so it is more used for processing tables in the kitchen. Application of varnish is carried out with a brush in 1 layer. The drying time of the composition depends on its characteristics and features (for complete drying it may take 18-36 hours). Wax paste is applied with a swab or a dense brush. Liquid wax is distributed by brush over the entire surface of the table (countertop, 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 ways of gluing furniture. These include:
Wrapping film.
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. At the edge of the countertop, you can additionally blow the film with a hairdryer for better fixation and also iron it.
Tabletop decor with adhesive tape.
Decorative tape of different colors can be glued onto the countertop with stripes, form squares. On top, you can additionally glue a transparent film (according to the example indicated above) to reliably protect the adhesive tape from damage and peeling.
Pasting tabletop stickers.
Regular stickers in the form of patterns, animals, flowers or products are perfect for table decor. They should be glued to the pre-fat-free surface of the countertop. Stickers do not need additional protection: they stick fairly well and can be easily removed if necessary.
Glass table restoration methods
The glass table, even with very careful use, 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 countertops, you can restore the glass surface using such compositions:
colorless (transparent) varnish: due to penetration into cracks, the surface is somewhat leveled, but it is a temporary solution and requires very careful application;
GOI paste: allows you to get rid of small scratches, before use it heats up according to the instructions on the package and then rubbed into damaged areas with neat circular movements;
soda: diluted to a mushy state and, according to a similar pattern, like GOI paste, rubbed into damaged parts;
toothpaste (non-gel): polish the tabletop with it, due to which the glass shines back, 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 in for repair to specialists. The peeled-off frame is easily restored by carefully removing the dried glue and applying a new adhesive. Loosened screws in the case of screwing the countertop to the frame is recommended to be replaced with new ones.
How to update a plastic table
Most plastic furniture over time loses its original appeal, 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 plastic burnout, yellowing. There are two ways to update such tables:
Repainting.
The best option for products with flat countertops. Initially, the surface of the plastic is treated with fine abrasive sandpaper, then degreased, covered with a primer. The final step will be spray coating the product.
Decoupage.
The best solution for tables with curly protrusions or indentations. Initially, with the help of finely abrasive sandpaper, the entire countertop and frame are cleaned. Then degreases. Selected for decorating napkins (or paper, thin newspaper) are glued onto decoupage glue. After the glue dries, the product is covered with a transparent varnish.
Ideas for updating a coffee table
To update the look of the coffee table, it is not necessary to completely repaint it. You can simply select 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 round it is possible with a vinyl plate, for an oval one you can cut a pear or a melon). Stick the image onto the cleaned surface.
Stain staining.
The variety of wood stains allows you to completely change the color of the wood, make it brighter or darker or even lighten. To complement such a decor, staining under the patina of protruding elements, carvings will help. For work, it is recommended to take gold or bronze paint.
Decor craquelure.
Remaking an 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
Separate updating of the countertop and decorating it with decor allows you to give even a very old table an original design look. The most entertaining options for this design include:
Laying out the mosaic.
On a cleaned surface, on a special solution, a mosaic is laid out, thereby forming patterns or an abstract pattern. Then the seams between the mosaic are erased.
Decor with ceramic tiles.
For large tables, you can use not only a small mosaic, but also large tiles. The work is carried out according to a similar scheme, but the finished decor will have a certain pattern (or will be monophonic).
"Picture" under glass (for rectangular and square countertops).
A frame made of timber is printed or glued around the perimeter of the countertop. Sand is poured inside the frame and shells are laid out (another option - photos, letters are laid out). Glass is mounted on top of the frame.
Conclusion
Do-it-yourself updating of furniture is not an easy, but still feasible task. Therefore, before throwing away the old table, think about the possibility of its restoration. Even a shabby lacquered book table can be repaired and decorated in an unusual way. Upon request, prepared furniture can be painted with different colors, varnished (glossy) or painted with matting compounds. Also, the updated table can be pasted with films and stickers.There are a lot of ways to decorate products, you just need to choose the appropriate 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 described methods for restoring such products using simple materials and tools. Following step-by-step instructions and useful hints, you can easily “bring back to life” even a very old, and at first glance, table that cannot be restored.
Loosening legs, damaging table tops in the kitchen or living room are not uncommon. Over time, the fasteners weaken, and due to accidental mechanical damage, the surface can get cracks, chips or scuffs. It is possible to restore furniture attractiveness and integrity, to carry out high-quality restoration of the table with your own hands. Below in detailed workshops we talked about 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 in addition it is interesting to decorate the old table, give it a new look. For the restoration, special tools are not needed: almost all of them can be found in the arsenal of the modern owner. But for restoration and decoration, you will need to separately select special materials and compositions.
Content
Methods of restoration
Familiarization with the modern methods of repairing it, as well as the view obtained after processing, will help determine the optimal option for table restoration. You can cover products as follows:
You can also glue tables with different types of films, carry out gluing with paper materials. All the options considered 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
Restoring a natural wood table requires a thorough approach to each stage of restoration. Only in this way will it be possible to do the job correctly and return the furniture to its original appearance (or even make it better). Direct restoration is carried out according to the following scheme:
Necessary materials and tools
To safely and correctly restore the old table, you will need to prepare the following tools and materials:
Preliminary repair
The initial repair involves restoring the strength of the entire table structure. Therefore, you need to start recovery by identifying problem areas. For example, at a table with loosened legs, they should be removed and the attachment points should be examined (chipped threads are considered to be a common cause of this phenomenon). If necessary, damaged areas must be glued with furniture glue. If the problem is that the glue dries with which individual parts were glued (for example, in the area of dowels connecting the legs and the shelf of the coffee table), then remove the old glue and put the parts on liquid nails. In the case of dining tables, transformers may need to restore the mechanism for adjusting the height of the table.Usually the problem with the poor movement of the mechanism is solved by simple cleaning of parts and their lubrication.
Removing old coating
When the initial repair was carried out, and the furniture was returned to its former strength and reliability, you can begin to remove the old coating. Work can be carried out in several ways:
In this case, the cleaning of the old varnish and paint is carried out using an abrasive sandpaper or grinder. Coarse cleaning is initially carried out: coarse or medium-grained sandpaper strips peeling off pieces of varnish and paint. Then finely abrasive emery is carried out more accurately removing residues. The main thing is not to overdo it in the work and not to remove the top layer of the tree.
There are special formulations designed to remove old varnish and paint from wood. They are applied with a brush to the furniture. Then after 20-30 minutes they are removed with a brush (already together with the corroded old coating).
Sealing cracks and chips
In order to qualitatively repair the table, and not just refresh it, care should be taken to get rid of chips and cracks. To work, you need a brush, putty for wood (preferably as close as possible in color to the color of wood), fine abrasive sandpaper. The following master class will help to carry out the work correctly:
Finishing Preparation: Primer
Before decorating the restored table and decorating it, the surface should be primed. This requirement applies to the countertop, and to the frame itself. To work, you will need shellac, acrylic or alkyd primer: they are suitable for coating wood. Direct priming is carried out as follows:
Ways to give the final decor
It is unusual to paint or decorate a table without involving specialists - with your own hands. Such work can be carried out in different ways:
It is carried out using wood paints and brushes. The composition is evenly distributed over all surfaces.
For painting, 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 glue is applied to the surface of the table, prepared paper elements are glued (solid sheets or cut elements).
On top of the prepared surface (simply primed or painted white), an ironed tulle is laid out. Spray paint is sprayed on top. The tulle is carefully removed so that the pattern is not smeared.
A stencil is made (or bought ready-made) from cardboard. A stencil is applied to the table, and through the cut out template, the tabletop is painted. A popular option for highlighting the perimeter, corners or center of the table.
Several colors with similar colors are used (for example, from light to dark). Paints of different colors are applied in wide stripes. Then, smooth transitions are carefully made between them with a brush.
Final varnish or wax coating
Fix the result of decoration and additionally protect the table from damage, moisture will help its finish - with varnish or wax. Modern varnishes have a fairly good wear resistance, can be used for coffee tables (which are rarely used), and for kitchen tables (operated daily). Wax provides the most reliable protection, so it is more used for processing tables in the kitchen. Application of varnish is carried out with a brush in 1 layer. The drying time of the composition depends on its characteristics and features (for complete drying it may take 18-36 hours). Wax paste is applied with a swab or a dense brush. Liquid wax is distributed by brush over the entire surface of the table (countertop, 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 ways of gluing furniture. These include:
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. At the edge of the countertop, you can additionally blow the film with a hairdryer for better fixation and also iron it.
Decorative tape of different colors can be glued onto the countertop with stripes, form squares. On top, you can additionally glue a transparent film (according to the example indicated above) to reliably protect the adhesive tape from damage and peeling.
Regular stickers in the form of patterns, animals, flowers or products are perfect for table decor. They should be glued to the pre-fat-free surface of the countertop. Stickers do not need additional protection: they stick fairly well and can be easily removed if necessary.
Glass table restoration methods
The glass table, even with very careful use, 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 countertops, you can restore the glass surface using such compositions:
In the presence of large chips and cracks, it is recommended to completely replace the countertop yourself or hand it in for repair to specialists. The peeled-off frame is easily restored by carefully removing the dried glue and applying a new adhesive. Loosened screws in the case of screwing the countertop to the frame is recommended to be replaced with new ones.
How to update a plastic table
Most plastic furniture over time loses its original appeal, 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 plastic burnout, yellowing. There are two ways to update such tables:
The best option for products with flat countertops. Initially, the surface of the plastic is treated with fine abrasive sandpaper, then degreased, covered with a primer. The final step will be spray coating the product.
The best solution for tables with curly protrusions or indentations. Initially, with the help of finely abrasive sandpaper, the entire countertop and frame are cleaned. Then degreases. Selected for decorating napkins (or paper, thin newspaper) are glued onto decoupage glue. After the glue dries, the product is covered with a transparent varnish.
Ideas for updating a coffee table
To update the look of the coffee table, it is not necessary to completely repaint it. You can simply select its individual parts or emphasize its shape. The most interesting options include:
For the size of a rectangular table, you can order a sticker with the image of a cassette (for round it is possible with a vinyl plate, for an oval one you can cut a pear or a melon). Stick the image onto the cleaned surface.
The variety of wood stains allows you to completely change the color of the wood, make it brighter or darker or even lighten. To complement such a decor, staining under the patina of protruding elements, carvings will help. For work, it is recommended to take gold or bronze paint.
Remaking an 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
Separate updating of the countertop and decorating it with decor allows you to give even a very old table an original design look. The most entertaining options for this design include:
On a cleaned surface, on a special solution, a mosaic is laid out, thereby forming patterns or an abstract pattern. Then the seams between the mosaic are erased.
For large tables, you can use not only a small mosaic, but also large tiles. The work is carried out according to a similar scheme, but the finished decor will have a certain pattern (or will be monophonic).
A frame made of timber is printed or glued around the perimeter of the countertop. Sand is poured inside the frame and shells are laid out (another option - photos, letters are laid out). Glass is mounted on top of the frame.
Conclusion
Do-it-yourself updating of furniture is not an easy, but still feasible task. Therefore, before throwing away the old table, think about the possibility of its restoration. Even a shabby lacquered book table can be repaired and decorated in an unusual way. Upon request, prepared furniture can be painted with different colors, varnished (glossy) or painted with matting compounds. Also, the updated table can be pasted with films and stickers.There are a lot of ways to decorate products, you just need to choose the appropriate 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 described methods for restoring such products using simple materials and tools. Following step-by-step instructions and useful hints, you can easily “bring back to life” even a very old, and at first glance, table that cannot be restored.