Change your style but keep your table!
This client loved her current table. Unfortunately, her table did not match her current style. The table looked outdated in her home. As with all things, change happens in our homes as well. As we change our decor, flooring and wall color, we then turn our focus on our furniture. This is when people ask me, should I paint my furniture. My answer, if you like your current furniture, it is in good shape and it fits your space…. Then give it a makeover!
The next question is …. Do you think I can do this myself? Yes, you can do it yourself! It will take elbow grease and a little knowledge. This is where I come in! I can help you with the knowledge you need to get the transformation accomplished.
How to accomplish your transformation
Clean it first!
One of the first things that needs to be done with any project is cleaning! You want to make sure you have gotten all the grease and grime off the table. Paint will not stick to grease. I like to use Fusion’s TSP cleaner. A small bottle goes a long way because it is a concentrate! This formula is environmentally friendly, there is no Phosphate in this formula. Phosphate is the part that needs to be washed off before you can prime or paint. The phosphate reacts to the BIN primer. Luckily when using Fusion’s formula you do not have to worry about the phosphate issues. I mix mine in a spray bottle. I cap full to 32 oz water. I spray the piece with the cleaner. I use one of the cleaning sponges that are yellow on one side and green scrubby on the other side. I scrub and then wipe off with the yellow side. I do not rinse the entire piece off, I just let it dry.
Prime it second
Next, you can spray or use a brush to apply BIN. BIN has a strong smell, make sure you have a well-ventilated area when applying your BIN. One advantage to applying BIN, NO NEED TO SAND! Another advantage is that BIN will stick to just about any surface. It is a shellac based primer so it will stick to anything and it will block stain and odors. I usually apply 2 coats. After the BIN has dried, usually about 30 – 45 minutes, I will take a 220 grit sanding pad and sand the BIN smooth. This leaves a smooth surface for you to paint. I like a smooth feel to a final painted furniture piece. Tip….If you have not sanded the BIN smooth, you will get little white dots showing through your paint when you sand your final paint coat. If this happens, you will then have to apply another coat of paint to cover up the dots.
Time to paint
Once the primed surface is dry, you can now paint. I use a Critter spray gun and Fusion Mineral Paint (FMP). I do not have to thin the FMP. I just pour it right in and spray. When spraying FMP, it goes on very easily and levels itself out well. You will get a nice smooth surface with the FMP.
No paint sprayer, no problem! You will achieve great results with a paintbrush!. I recommend purchasing a good quality brush. I love my Staalmeester #16 flat brush. This is my go-to brush and at $16.99 you can’t go wrong. If you are painting the table top, I recommend using a microfiber roller and frame. A roller will give you the smoothest finish 
on a large flat surface. Careful not to use a foam roller. The foam roller holds too much air and will give you a lot more stippling than the microfiber roller. The microfiber roller and frame are only about $4.99. I like to have a smooth feel to my painted furniture. To achieve a smooth finish, I use a 220 grit sanding pad and gently buff the final coat of paint. I buff (sand lightly) and wipe back with a damp cloth. You will feel the surface getting smooth as you sand and wipe back. When painting with FMP, you will need 2 or 3 coats depending on what color you are using. For example, going from black to white, you will definitely need 3 coats. The paint needs to be dry to the touch before you apply another coat. FMP usually takes about 45 minutes in between coats to dry. If using a brush or roller to paint, cover them in between coats of paint. There is no need to clean out a brush or roller in between coats. Simply keep them wet and don’t allow the paint to dry. I usually use cling wrap or a sandwich bag to cover the brush or roller. If using a paint sprayer, I keep the nozzle covered in between coats of paint. This tip will save you time and money!
Time to stain the table top
I let my paint dry for 24 hours before I will apply glaze or a top coat. When using FMP, no top coat is needed. This paint has the top coat 
built into the paint. FMP is 100% acrylic paint. When the paint cures ( all the water in the paint has evaporated) the acrylic is what is left behind. Acrylic is durable and waterproof. Therefore this painted surface will be durable and waterproof!! If you paint the table top, I recommend using Fusion’s water-based Tough Coat as a top coat over the table top. A table top is a high traffic surface. The Tough Coat will give it an extra layer of protection. You can also glaze your piece to add depth and dimension to the table. If you use a glaze, you will need to put a top coat over the glaze. If you use Fusion’s Stain and Finishing Oil as a glaze, no top coat is needed. The stain and finishing oil is permanent once it dries.
Print this list!
List of what you will need if you paint the table yourself.
*TSP cleaner or Simple Green cleaner
*BIN Shellac based primer
*Paint spray gun – this will work for the entire piece
*Paintbrush – use this for smaller areas
*Microfiber roller and frame – recommend this for painting large flat surfaces
*Mineral Spirits (if cleaning BIN out of a spray gun or brushes)
*Brush soap if using a paint brush to paint your table
*Cling wrap to cover the paintbrush in between coats
*Paint
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