DIY home improvement projects have become more and more popular over the years. Anything from repurposing an old piece of furniture all the way to remodeling your house is a go. Among other things, many people have recently started taking an interest in painting their kitchen table. While choosing the right paint might seem a monumental challenge, my tips and advice should help you make the right choice.
Kitchen Table Preparation Tips
If you are new to home projects, you most likely already feel overwhelmed. However, when it comes to kitchen table painting, the most important part is the preparation. You should first give your table a good sanding, making sure you get rid of all wood imperfections beforehand.
If you’re not quite sure how to do it, though, there are a lot of youtube videos that can help you with the sanding process. Once you’re done sanding, you have to get rid of all the dust. For that, you should use a tack cloth as it’s proven to be the best material for the job.
Finally, keep in mind that some paints need a primer to blend properly, so keep that in mind when shopping for project supplies.
In case you are not sure what paint to choose, take a look below and decide what’s best for your kitchen table.
Latex Paint: The Popularity King
Thanks to its accessibility and low price, latex paint is the default pick for many home improvement enthusiasts. Not only that but you can also choose from a variety of colors — imagination is the limit.
However, the final result of painting with latex is usually tied to the preparation phase. So you should pay extra attention when cleaning, sanding, and priming the table. Another thing to consider is that the paint dries fast but takes a long time to cure, usually still having that soft and flimsy look afterward.
Let’s Customize!
As previously mentioned, latex paint is highly customizable. You can have some fun with choosing a color, or even a mix of colors. But the fun doesn’t stop there. With multiple types of finishes, you can customize your kitchen table to an even larger degree.
Flat
Opting for a flat finish is usually the most common choice. But common doesn’t necessarily mean good, as the flat finish is not so durable. While it has a nice matte look to it, this finish is prone to scratches and damage. Overall, unless you don’t plan to use the kitchen table that often, the flat finish is not a great choice for a table.
Semi-Gloss
Being a nice-looking, shiny paint, the semi-gloss option is usually the best choice when it comes to durability. Thanks to a high concentration of resin, scratches are rarely a problem. You should pick this option if you plan to use the kitchen table every day.
High-Gloss
Similar to semi-gloss, the high-gloss finish is durable and looks good. But keep in mind that high-gloss requires the most preparation and maintenance. Make one small mistake and every imperfection shall be visible from a mile away thanks to its sheen.
Satin
The satin finish combines the durability of high-gloss and the matte look of a flat finish. Cleaning is also easier to do as satin tends to be more washable than most other options.
The Upsides of Latex Paint
- Lots of customization
- Easy to clean
- Widely available
The Downsides of Latex Paint
- Medium to low durability
- Before-use preparations
The Best Latex Paint
If you decide to try latex paint, you should give Krylon COLORmaxx a shot. COLORmaxx not only offers a great price but also comes in all aforementioned finishes. Backed up by great user reviews, Krylon proves again that their painting products are high-quality.
Milk Paint
While you might be inclined to think it’s a joke, milk paint is actually a type of paint made with milk proteins. With a long history of use for painting houses and other pieces of furniture, milk paint is perfect if you are going for a vintage look.
Although it’s easy to use, given that it’s being sold as a powder, milk paint needs a good bonding agent. Without it, the paint might look rough and unfinished — or even get scratched. It’s also advised that you finish the painting job off with a layer of wax or oil to preserve the original finish.
The Upsides
- Eco-friendly formula
- Easy to apply
- Vintage look
The Downsides
- Prone to scratches
- Bonding agent required for durability
The Best Milk Paint
Do you want to try milk paint but don’t like the powder format? General Finishes Water Based Milk Paint comes to the rescue! Premixed for your convenience, this milk-based paint is one of the most popular choices. With a huge variety of options, there is a color for every kitchen style!
Chalk Paint
Over the past few years, chalk paint has become a popular choice among DIY fans. Thanks to a latex base, this type of paint doesn’t require as much preparation as its predecessor, and it dries much faster. Chalk paint is best used when you are looking for a matte, soft look.
Even though the short drying time might seem like a plus, it actually means that every brushstroke is more visible. If you have little to no painting experience, a steep learning curve awaits you. However, the learning process might be fun and exciting, especially when you finally get the hang of it.
The Upsides
- Fast drying time
- Smooth finish
- Can be used on most surfaces
The Downsides
- Expensive
- Harder to apply
- Prone to scratches
The Best Chalk Paint
Finding good chalk paint might be hard, as many mainstream retailers are focusing on other types of paint. However, Retique It Chalk Furniture Paint is one of the best chalk paints out there. With an overwhelming number of positive reviews, the high quality of Retique is undeniable. Top that with a wide variety of colors to choose from, and you have yourself a new DIY project in the making.
Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paint is another water-based product that closely resembles latex. Even though little preparation is required, you should still give your table a nice sanding before you start applying the paint.
While it might not have any finish options, acrylic paint is still highly customizable when it comes to colors. The negative side of the deal is the amount of paint you can get. You can usually only find small containers of acrylic paint, meaning you have to buy in bulk just to paint half of the table.
As a result of being a fast-drying paint, acrylic is prone to brushstroke marks. However, once it’s dry, acrylic paint is resistant to scratches and stains. You have the option to coat it with some wax or oil, but the overall durability is enough for daily use. Add over the fact that acrylic is easy to clean and you might have found your next kitchen table paint.
The Upsides
- A huge array of colors
- Easy to apply
- Resilient and scratch-resistant
The Downsides
- Sold in small containers
- Prone to brushstroke marks
The Best Acrylic Paint
If acrylic paint has piqued your interest, you should consider giving Handy Art Acrylic Paints a try. Offering some of the biggest-sized containers on the market, Handy Art makes sure you got all the paint you need. Mix that with the low price offered and your kitchen table will soon have a new look.
Oil Paint
Considered the underdog of wood painting by many, oil paint is slowly making a comeback. Even though it’s pricier and harder to use, oil makes up for it with high durability. Another big minus is the long drying time, which usually takes up to 24 hours. Overall, oil paint is best used if you want a resilient finish that won’t scratch as easily as other options.
The Upsides
- High durability
- Usable on most surfaces
The Downsides
- Long drying times
- High price
The Best Oil Paint
We talked about the long drying time for oil paint, however, Rust-Oleum comes with a solution — Marine Coating Topside Paint. While it may seem like it works only on metal, Marine Coating is perfect for wood too. With a drying time reduced to 2 hours, there is no doubt that this oil paint can be considered an effective alternative to similar products. As you can see from their greatly positive reviews, Rust-Oleum products deserve a try.
Conclusion
Choosing the perfect paint is ultimately a personal decision. While some paints might seem like the best options, there is no all-included solution. You should do your research and figure out what works best for your kitchen.
All in all, painting a kitchen table is not one of the hardest DIY projects out there, but it’s definitely one of the most rewarding ones. Have some fun with your family — use crazy colors, paint cartoon characters — it’s all part of the experience. After all, nothing beats the feeling of eating right on top of your art-baby.
