I want to share with you how to paint a dining room table and chairs! I have used gel stain for my last two client orders. Both have been dining room tables and chairs! There were 14 chairs between the two sets. There was lots of painting but I have some tips and tricks to share with you that will make the process of painting your dining room table and chairs simple, affordable, time saving, and give you a lasting finish!
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Supplies for Painting a Dining Room Table and Chairs
- Chalk based or mineral based paint
- General Finishes Java Gel stain
- General Finishes Gel Stain top coat
- 2″ chip paint brush
- 2 Foam brushes
Steps to Painting a Dining Room Table and Chairs
Begin with a clean surface. Look the table and chairs over thoroughly for any food that may have been left behind and wipe clean. (It’s important to remove anything that may be stuck to the table because it will show up underneath your painted finish.) I typically use a shop towel and water to wipe the table and chairs clean. If the table and chairs seems greasy, clean with TSP and rinse with water.
Once surfaces are clean, dip paint brush into the paint and begin to add a first coat of paint to the table and chairs. Paint with the grain in up and down motions.
When the first coat of paint is dry you are ready to add a second coat. Repeat in the same pattern as you did with the first. This table took three coats of Dixie Belle Buttercream. You may also need up to three coats of paint, depending on the color of your original surface.
TIP: Seal the painted surface with a clear finishing wax OR a waterbased poly!
Once you have painted the table legs and chairs you are ready to apply the gel stain! General Finishes Java Gel stain is one of my most favorite products to use. It is EXTREMELY durable and beautiful!
Dip your foam brush into the Java Gel stain and go with the grain begin to apply the Java gel stain. It’s important to go with the grain. Add one coat and let it dry. When the first coat of gel stain is dry, apply a second coat of gel stain. Going with the grain again add a second coat of gel stain. You want to make sure that you can not see the original finish of the table. I like to let this final coat dry overnight.
After the final coat of Java Gel stain has dried overnight you are ready to seal the table top! I used General Finishes Gel Stain topcoat! I LOVE this topcoat! It goes on super shiny and even when dry looks shiny and wet but will be completely dry and beautiful!
Apply the Gel Stain topcoat with a foam brush. You want to make sure you apply the topcoat in an up and down motion. First let the coat of gel stain dry and repeat the same process adding a second coat. Two coats works very well and is extremely durable!
And then your tabletop is complete! Let table dry overnight. I like to add two coats of the gel topcoat for extra durability. Great job!! You did it!!
The table in the photo above was still drying when I took the photo. But I’ll attach a picture below of the finished chairs that go with this tabletop!
Do you like the table and chairs? If so here is the FULL TUTORIAL on how to paint the chairs!
I’m also recommending you check out this post by The Budget Decorator! She has a great post on MANY different tabletop makeovers! They will inspire you!
Do you have any questions about how to paint a table top and chairs? If so leave a comment below!
For a full tutorial on HOW TO GEL STAIN OVER PAINTED SURFACE CLICK HERE. 🙂
It looks so nice! You don’t have to sand at all before painting?
Hi Michelle! No! It’s amazing. No sanding before you apply the gel stain. This table even had some spots that were lighter than the rest of the table but the darkness of the Java gel stain covered it completely up. I did put 3 coats on to completely cover the underneath finish. 🙂
I’ve even used Gel stain over and existing painted surface and it has held up great!
Thank you so much! I’ve never used gel stain, but I really want to refinish my kitchen table. This has been really helpful! I feel a little more confident now. 🙂
You’re welcome! I promise you can totally do it! I find it actually easier to gel stain a surface than to paint a surface solid white! My mom took the plunge and gel stained the top of her coffee table and end tables. They turned out beautiful! And it was the first time she had ever used gel stain.
I am just wondering what an estimate cost of these products would be for a table that sits 6
Hi Lori!! My guesstimate for a table that seats six would be about $60 with these products! 🙂 Gel stain goes a long ways! And if you’re just painting the legs. I would buy Dixi Bell’s paint. It runs about $10. And will cover great!