Painting A Hardwood Dining Table

[derekpara]

I've been co-erced into using my valuable lock down time to paint a hardwood dining table white.

I think a gloss finish would be too 'glaring, ' but the finish needs to be fairly tough and hard wearing as the table gets lots of family use and will have to withstand warm/hot dinner plate and cups etc. I've decided on a satin finish . So my question is, which brand of Satin finish oil based paint would you recommend.

Cheers.

D

[The Builder]

You could try something like "Satinwood" or "Eggshell" for the low sheen, but I doubt if either would be hard-wearing.

Perhaps think about one of those, but finished with something really tough such as Dulux Diamond Glaze Satin, or any of the tough satin flooring varnishes.

[alavahalf]

Another option.. paint your table legs and frame with whatever you want. Then make up a simple removable table top cover from ply and a batten fitted all round the edge. I did this about 7 years ago and painted it with International Black Satin, approx half a litre was applied with a roller.
It had about 10 coats of this paint which was fairly quick drying. Today the table cover is unmarked and looks great. .. and it gets used daily with little thought for preserving the top. Have used International for years, mainly to do with boats.. It is a bit pricey, but it does the job!

[derekpara]

Thanks, B. Seems a daft thing to do in my opinion but there's youngsters for you !

D

[rockyracoon]

We used an egg shell on my daughters desk in her bedroom, and it didn’t last too well with the wear and tear she put it through. What about a bit of glass to go on top. We did that with our stone table. Too match hassle to keep varnished.

[theshedman]

On hardwood you may need something like Zinsser primer first after rubbing down well. Then a couple of undercoats and finish in Gloss, Satinwood or Eggshell as The Builder said giving a light sanding in between coats and maybe use a tack cloth between each coat as well if you want really smooth finish. Sometimes paint will chip when used on hardwoods as it finds it difficult to adhere to it so good preparation is essential.

[derekpara]

Thanks everyone.

D