What Type Of Paint To Use For A Dining Table?
Dining tables take a lot of abuse over the years. As time goes on paint can chip, and wood finishes can lose their luster. If you are trying to spruce up your dining area but don’t have the budget for a new table, you might have considered painting your current dining table. Whether you buy a used dining table that needs some TLC or want to revamp your current table, selecting the perfect paint for your dining table is an important decision.
Enamel paints work best on dining tables. Oil-based enamel paints are longer lasting, and the best choice for most dining tables. Oil-based enamel paints have a better sheen and dry harder. Water-based enamel paints are another option, as they are durable and long-lasting but lack sheen. They are, however, better in outdoor settings. For cheaper plastic tables, spray paint is a quick budget-friendly option.
Selecting the right paint is critical to the success of your project. Paint selection will affect how long the paint job lasts. Remember that some types of paints work better on certain surfaces than others. Once you read these factors to consider and tips about paint selection you will have the information you need to select the paint that will help you create the dining table you envision.
Key Questions To Ask Before Painting A Dining Table
As you get ready to paint your dining table, pause for a moment and think about some variables that might come into play as you select paint. Before you choose the exact can of paint to use on your dining table, ask yourself the following questions.
What is The Table Made Out Of?
The material your table is made of can greatly influence the type of paint you should buy. The reason for this is that certain paints work better on certain surfaces. Other paints do not work well on some surfaces, and have a tendency to flake off if proper preparation steps are not taken.
Do I Want To Hide Or Enhance The Table Appearance?
If you are looking to make the table stand out of blend in can change the type of paint you are bound to use. Some paints shine bright while others are long-lasting but less flashy.
What Does The Other Furniture In The Room Look Like?
Try to compliment the other furniture pieces in the room. You most likely don’t want to mix and match too much glossy with matte colors, unless the design choice is intentional.
How Often Will It Get Used?
The more a table will be used, the more durable it must be. If it is more for decoration, you can get away with more types of paint. If it gets used daily, you need a paint that can handle wear and tear.
The Best Paint To Use For A Dining Table
Considering all factors, oil-based enamel paint is the best choice when you are painting your dining table. The glossy smooth finish, longevity and finish all make it the most desirable choice. You can also use a water-based enamel paint. These paints have their own perks and come in a close second.
Latex paints, however, are rarely a good option. They tend to rub off, and leave streaks after cleaning. Remember that your dining table is bound to take a beating, so the paint needs to be able to hold up just as strong as the table itself.
Oil-Based Versus Water-Based Enamel Paint For Your Dining Table
Now that you know you definitely want to use enamel-based paint, you might wonder if the oil-based or water-based option works best for you. As mentioned previously, when push comes to shove, oil-based enamel paints are the better choice. But if you are on the fence, here is a list of some of the pros and cons to each type of paint when it comes to painting a dining table.
Oil-Based Paint Pros And Cons
Pros of Oil-Based Enamel Paint
Long Lasting
Oil-based paint has a professional look that lasts a very long time. It is able to stand the test of time, which means only an occasional touchup for the most part.
Resistant To Wear And Tear
Oil-based enamel paint dried very hard and strong. This makes it an ideal candidate for surfaces that take a constant beating, like a dining table. Once oil-based enamel paint dried it does not budge, making it a great cleaning surface as well.
Higher Sheen
Many oil-based enamel paints have a lovely sheen. This sheen gives a sleek and expensive look to the surface it covers. If you are looking for a real elegant finished product, using oil-based enamel paint is a great way to achieve this.
Cons of Oil-Based Enamel Paint
Longer To Dry
Oil-based enamel paints have a lot going on within them, and are not bound by water. This means they take much longer to dry. If your project requires multiple coasts, which most projects will, this means your project will take much longer than if you used water-based enamel paint.
Can Crack Over Time
There are some downsides to the fact that oil-based paint is immovable. Because it doesn’t budge, it also does not expand and contract with materials like wood that it is painted on. If you live in a climate-controlled environment, this poses little issue. If, however, your home is vulnerable to variations in temperature and humidity, then oil-based paint might not be the best option.
More Difficult To Clean Up
Oil-based paints are also fairly notorious for being difficult to clean up. They are not water-soluble, so they don’t wash away like many other paints. This means using certain paint thinners, and being extra careful.
Pros Of Water-Based Enamel Paint
Sheen Does Not Dull Over Time
While water-based enamel paints do not have the bright sheen that oil-based paints are known for, they also do not dull as much as oil-based paints over time. Instead they endure and maintain their color and sheen for a long time.
More Flexible In Varying Weather Conditions
If your home tends to fluctuate in temperature a great deal, water-based enamel paint might be a good option. Oil-based paints dry very hard and do not budge. This can cause them to crack as temperatures fluctuate a great deal. Water-based enamel paints, on the other hand, can expand and contract, thus preventing them from cracking under the pressure.
Perform Better Outdoors Or In UV Exposure
Water-based enamel paints are also more resistant to UV rays. If your dining table is outdoors, water-based enamel is the way to go. Also, if you live in a climate with strong sun, and have lots of light in your dining room, this is also something to consider.
Cons Of Water-Based Enamel Paint
Do Not Have As Bright A Sheen
If you are looking for a bright magical sheen for your dining table, you should go with oil-based paint. Or invest in a great top coat, as water-based enamel paint does not have that vibrant finish that oil-based paint does. This often leaves it looking less expensive.
Not As Hard And Resistant To Wear And Tear
Water-based enamel paint is certainly strong, but it does not dry as hard and strong as oil-based enamel paint. If your dining table needs as much protection as possible, oil-based paint with several layers of top coat is the way to go.
Tips To Help Paint Your Dining Table Like A Pro
Sand Before And After You Prime
Regardless of whether you use oil-based or water-based enamel paint on your dining table, you must use a primer. In order to get the best results from this primer you need to sand the surface beforehand, and afterwards.
Sanding the surface with a coarse sandpaper before roughing up the surface enough so the primer has a good surface to stick to. Sanding the surface with a very fine sandpaper after you prime allows you to have a perfectly smooth (and even) surface for your paint layers. This gives you a perfect blank canvas to work with.
Let The Paint Dry And Cure
Don’t rush the painting process. Remember that all enamel paint takes a bit longer than other paints to dry. Oil-based paints can take significantly longer to dry than water-based ones. Leave a good buffer between coats, and allow plenty of time for the paint to “cure” before adding a top coat.
Finish With Several Layers Of Clear Top Coat
You might be tired after priming and painting, but if you want to ensure your dining table looks perfect for years to come, don’t forget a top coat. Applying several layers of your favorite top coat can add additional sheen and makes cleaning up your dining table a breeze.
Select The Right Top Coat For Your Project
Just as it is important to consider the right primer and paint for your dining table, you should also consider the perfect top coat. There are a variety of topcoats on the market. You should look for a durable one that compliments the paint you chose. Top coats come in various levels of gloss, so opt for the style you are going for.
Using Spray Paint To Paint Your Dining Table
As you may have gathered, to get professional results, you need to take time and use several layers of paint, primer and top coat. So you are likely wondering why using spray paint could even be an option. Spray paint is rarely the best choice for painting a dining table, but there are certain circumstances where it might work well.
If, for example, you are painting a plastic table, or a fair beat up old table, spray paint can work. It adheres well to plastics, and is very easy to apply. If you are not looking to commit to many hours and several cans of paint, spray paint is definitely one route you can go. Just know that while you will get a new color, you won’t get the smooth finish and long lasting results you get from sanding, priming and protecting your dining table.
When selecting a spray paint, know there are several oil-based enamel paints. Rust-Oleum is a popular option. Just make sure you choose an oil-based enamel to ensure the paint will adhere to your surfaces and not quickly peel off.
Wrapping Up What Type Of Paint To Use For Dining Table
Painting a dining table can be a fun project. It’s your opportunity to turn a drab piece of furniture into something new that pops and shows your personality. Oil-based enamel paints are often the best choice when you paint your dining table. This paint lasts a long time and dries hard, making it durable. Water-based enamel paint is another option, as it is also durable. While it lacks the sheen of oil-based paint, it does well in outdoor and more extreme weather conditions.
Tom Gaffey is an expert writer who currently resides in Washington D.C. Tom has a passion for real estate and home improvement writing, as well as travel and lifestyle writing. He lived the last twelve years in Hawaii where he worked closely with luxury resorts and event planners, mastering his knowledge of aesthetics and luxury products. This is where he found his passion for home improvement and a keen interest in DIY projects. Currently, Tom resides in Washington D.C, and also working on his debut fiction novel.
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