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Question: My kids and I are going to paint our inexpensive dining room table!.!.!.!?
We assume we begin by sanding it well but what sorts of paint do we need to use!? Do we need to seal it!? With what!? We're not painting it with one color - more just letting them go wild and paint whatever!. Thanks in advance!.Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
I would definitely go with a primer as mentioned above!. Most primers act also as stain blockers (such as Kilz or Zinsser) which means anything on the surface before you paint it (like an oil or crayon!.!.!.even wax residue!.!.!.can't seep through and ruin all your work!. I'd recommend using it even on wood!. I do all the time!.

It's a sad truth that paint-quality and paint-odor are directly related!. I'd never advise you to mess with exotics unless your kids are at least 16 (if past 16, gather up their friends, use one of those airport X-ray cameras and count ALL their piercings and tattoos; if avg is greater than one per 3 friends, don't let their friends get near the paint)!.

The good news is that development of less faint-inducing and less toxic paints has been moving at a dizzying pace for nearly 20 years, coinciding with laws, supporting technology (such as computer programs) and the fact that odorless paints are, well, they don't curl your nose and cross your eyes!.

Most of the acrylic enamel latex brands will outlast the table, probably!. I'd use a mix of glossy, satin and semi-gloss for contrast (two nearly-identical colors of different sheens makes for a sublime subtlety with more cerebral appeal than contrasting colors!.)

Good luck!

!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

If the surface you are painting is formica, or some material other than wood with a plastic feel, you should start with an undercoat which allows the paint you apply to better adhere to the surface!. Then, if you're using a brush on paint it should be an interior enamel, preferably a water based latex paint which allows for water clean up!. If the surface is wood, no base coat as mentioned above is necessary, but two coats may be necessary!. I would think that a one quart container should be sufficient for one coat!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

If I were going to paint a table I’d:

Do any necessary repairs such as filling any holes or cracks!. Use a sandable wood fill!.

Let the repairs dry completely!.

Sand these repairs smooth by using 100 grit sandpaper, then sand with 220-grit sandpaper!. (Do not sand the entire table just the repair areas!.)

Clean it thoroughly by washing with mild dish soap!. It doesn’t have to be wet, just wipe it clean!. No rinsing needed!.

After the table is dry!. Seal it with a primer!. You could use Bin or Kilz!. Follow manufactures suggestions!. That will dry fast!.

Select what colors you want (use a good polyurethane or a good enamel paint, gloss or semi-gloss!.) Follow all safety requirements and insure that you watch the kids!.

Sounds like a fun project!. 8>)

Jeff (weseye) WesleyWww@QuestionHome@Com

well,!.!.fill in all cracks and sand back as many of the imperfections you can,!.!.!.then if the table is a formica or any type of plastic coated finish,!.!.i would suggest you use a primer called E!.S!.P!.,!.!.!.easy surface prep,!.!.!.its a clear liquid which has tiny particles in it to provide grip for he paint,!.!.!.if the table is wooden then just give it an undercoat,!.!.a quick sand with some light sandpaper and just let loose with the paint,!.!.!.if you are using water based paints for this step,!.!.i would suggest you finish it off with a water based varnish,!.!.as it is totally clear,!.!.where as normal varnishes tend to yellow,!.!.and the water based varnish dries so much quicker,!.!.!.!.best of luck and have fun,!.!.!.(:])Www@QuestionHome@Com

try one with a high gloss so its shiny and doesnt look that cheap!. my dad used to be a painter, so i got this from him!. he's not living here so idk if you need to seal it, probably since you'll be eating on it if you are going to continue to use itWww@QuestionHome@Com

Keep is simple!.!.!.http://www!.minwax!.com/ is a how to site with products that are easy to use and readily available!. Have fun and good luck!.Www@QuestionHome@Com