The video “DIY KITCHEN TABLE MAKEOVER | How to Refinish a Table | Beginner Friendly” is by Lauren from the Furniture Flipping Teacher. In this project, Lauren takes on the task of refinishing a commission dining set, showcasing her skills and sharing valuable tips along the way.
Lauren, a full-time kindergarten teacher, has successfully paid off her student loan debt by flipping furniture. Now, she is on a mission to help other teachers do the same while saving for a down payment on her own home. Today, she has a massive dining set to tackle, complete with six chairs, a bench, and a fold-out leaf table. Excitement fills the air as she prepares to dive into this extensive project.
Cleaning the Dining Set
Before diving into the refinishing process, Lauren begins with a thorough cleaning. This dining set belongs to a family friend with several kids, so it’s essential to get rid of any food, oils, and grime. She uses Super Clean to wipe everything down, ensuring a clean surface for sanding.
Sanding: The First Big Step
Next up is sanding, a crucial step for any refinishing project. Lauren opts for the Surf Prep sander, which she finds significantly more efficient than her old Black & Decker orbital sander. She demonstrates an experiment comparing both sanders, showing that the Surf Prep allows her to cover double the distance in the same amount of time.
After three hours of sanding, Lauren has removed the finish from the table and chair seats. She notes that while she doesn’t need to sand everything down to bare wood, a scuff sanding is necessary for the paint to adhere properly.
Priming the Set
Once sanding is complete, Lauren moves on to priming. She uses BIN Shellac Base Primer to ensure that the stain doesn’t bleed through the paint. Covering the areas to be stained with masking paper and Frog Tape takes some time but is essential for a clean finish. She rolls on the primer, which will serve as a base for the white paint she plans to use.
Painting the Chairs and Table Legs
After the primer dries, it’s time for the fun part: painting! Lauren chooses Rustoleum Linen White for the chairs, having had great success with it in her own kitchen. She aims for two to three coats of paint, ensuring a smooth finish by lightly sanding between coats.
As she applies the first coat, Lauren takes care to check for drips, especially in the tighter areas. After letting the first coat dry, she begins the second coat, confident that it will go faster now that the initial layer is in place.
Distressing for Character
Lauren’s customer has requested a distressed look for the dining set, which makes Lauren’s job easier as she won’t have to worry about perfection. Using a sponge and 320 grit sandpaper, she lightly distresses the edges and corners, allowing the darker wood underneath to peek through for added dimension.
Applying the Stain
Next, Lauren prepares to stain the seats and the tabletop. After testing various shades, she settles on Minwax Provincial, which she believes will complement the new kitchen flooring. Before applying the stain, she uses a pre-stain wood conditioner to ensure an even finish.
Once the stain is applied, Lauren carefully wipes it back with a lint-free rag, ensuring no lint gets stuck in the finish. She’s pleased with how the stain has taken, noting the unique grain patterns of the wood enhance the overall appearance.
Top Coating for Durability
With the stain dry, it’s time for the top coat. Lauren uses Rustoleum Matte Clear Flat to protect the painted areas. She applies two to three coats, ensuring that the table can withstand heavy use, especially with kids around.
Final Touches and Reflection
After completing the top coat, Lauren takes a moment to touch up any areas where the stain may have bled onto the white paint. With the dining set now finished, she reflects on the process, noting that she spent a total of 16 hours on the project. Priced at $450, Lauren calculates her profit to be around $400 after accounting for materials.
Ultimately, Lauren is thrilled with the transformation and the opportunity to work on such a meaningful project. She encourages her viewers to share their own dining set experiences and emphasizes the importance of community in her journey of furniture flipping.
