How to varnish a wooden table and how to apply it correctly

The range of modern protective and decorative products for wood can baffle even an experienced craftsman. To understand what varnish to coat a wooden table with, you need to clearly understand the future operating conditions of this piece of furniture. With the correct selection of coating and careful operation, the finished product will last a very long time.

Applying varnish to a wooden tabletop Source nationalcustommillwork.com

The need to varnish the countertop

Wood is the most common material for the production of home furniture. Tables, chairs and cabinets made of natural wood look impressive and are very expensive. To reduce the cost of production, natural veneer, MDF, chipboard and multi-layer plywood are often used. Regardless of the source material used, wood fibers actively absorb moisture from the environment, which leads to furniture deformation.

Varnish creates a thin protective layer on the surface of the wood that prevents water molecules from entering the fibers. The hygroscopicity of wood is fixed at the same level, thereby guaranteeing a long service life of the furniture. Modern varnish for countertops also protects the finish from minor scratches and chips, and also improves the wood's fire protection.

Varnish protects wood from moisture Source purplemint.ru

Decorative properties of table varnish

Quite often in furniture hypermarkets you can find countertops made of natural wood without finishing. Given the poor protection from external factors and the unattractive appearance, future owners will be faced with the problem of how to paint the table to make it more attractive. The selected material not only protects, but also allows you to completely change the color of the finished product due to the coloring substances added to the varnishes. The most common natural colors are:

• wenge or rosewood - dark wood;
• walnut and chestnut – natural brown shade;
• rosewood – mahogany;
• pine and pear – light colors.

Multi-colored varnishes to change the shade of the countertop Source sdelai-lestnicu.ru
There are varnishes that paint the surface of the countertops in all the colors of the rainbow. This material is best suited for products made from chipboard or MDF - these surfaces do not need to emphasize the natural pattern. To preserve the natural color, use a clear varnish on the countertop.

Main types of wood varnish

The huge range of products presented in large construction stores can confuse the inexperienced person. At first glance, the varnishes differ only in the manufacturer and the price asked for them. Given the diversity presented, it is difficult to track the fundamental differences in the materials presented. However, it is the choice of the varnish that is most suitable for certain conditions that will decorate the table and extend its service life.

Table varnish is chosen based on future operating conditions Source deccoria.pl

See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in paints and varnishes and related work

The main differences between the copies presented on the shelves are the liquid base and chemical compounds responsible for giving the product a finished appearance. Varnish for wood countertops can be alcohol, water, oil or polyurethane. After drying, it can form either a matte or glossy surface.

Alcohol varnishes for countertops

Such liquids consist of resins dissolved in alcohol. After drying, a dense protective film is formed. When choosing a product, you need to pay attention to the strength of the alcohol used. The recommended indicator for purchase is 90% or higher.

Since repainting a table with this varnish is quite simple, many people choose it as the most time-tested product. The application technique does not require special knowledge or tools. The varnish can be filled with coloring pigments to emphasize the pattern of natural wood.

Alcohol varnish for wood Source livemaster.ru

Polyurethane varnish compositions for countertops

After drying, polyurethane varnish becomes durable and elastic, so it is excellent for protecting the most vulnerable surfaces - country tables and garden furniture. The artificial material does not turn yellow over time and is not toxic to humans and pets. A distinctive feature of this varnish is the fastest possible hardening compared to other types of products.

Oil varnishes for tables

The presented type of products is characterized by a low price due to the cheapness of the starting materials - oil, resins and coloring pigments. Compared to alcohol varnishes, it has a thicker consistency, and therefore requires more attention when processing wooden surfaces. After drying, a dense layer is formed that reliably protects the tree from all external threats.

Oil varnish for countertops Source tildacdn.com

Manufacturing kitchen countertops from chipboard

Chipboard is a chipboard made by hot pressing of chipboard with the addition of formaldehyde resin as a polymer. The thickness varies, the standard ones are 26 and 38 mm, less often 50 mm. To obtain a table top with a thickness of 26 mm or more, several thin slabs are glued together.

Important ! Formaldehyde is toxic, so it is extremely important to ensure that the product is safe before purchasing. Choose emission class E1 - these plates are not harmful to health.

A tabletop of complex configuration (for example, corner) is made of several parts using the following technology:

• the bonded surfaces of the boards are degreased with isopropyl alcohol and evenly coated with polyacetate glue;
• glued slabs are cold pressed and dried in stacks under high pressure;
• the resulting panel is milled to give the desired shape, recesses and sockets are cut out in it, and grooves are selected;
• At the ends, tenons and lamellas are inserted into the grease-free and glue-lubricated grooves for subsequent assembly;
• the panels are pressed tightly against each other with their ends treated with glue and fixed;
• After the glue has hardened, the seam between the parts of the tabletop is sanded, it becomes almost invisible.

To give the tabletop a complete look, additional components are used: strips - end, corner, connecting, as well as end and front profiles (moldings). They protect open cuts from moisture, dirt, and mechanical damage. At the junction of the countertop and the wall, a plinth is installed to seal the joint and prevent debris from entering the cracks.

Interesting ! You can make a chipboard tabletop with your own hands from a non-laminated board, covering it with a sheet of decorative plastic. It's easier than it seems. Such a countertop can become an exclusive art object in the kitchen.

Preparing the tabletop for varnishing

Before covering a wooden table with the selected composition, it is necessary to carry out a number of measures to clean the wood from the previous coating. The old varnish must be completely removed from the surface of the countertop. To do this, you can use coarse sandpaper or an electric sander.

There are modern chemicals that allow you to quickly remove old varnish. They contain a solvent that effectively removes old coating. It is important to strictly follow the manufacturer's instructions, otherwise there is a risk of damaging the wood. The softened varnish is removed using a spatula or any convenient tool at hand.

The old varnish must be completely removed Source mastermario.ru

How to repair a kitchen countertop made of plastic?

The main advantage of plastic products is that they do not swell or get wet. But there is also a drawback - fragility. A corner of a plastic tabletop may break off (this damage occurs most often). You can fix the broken piece using special glue. It glues wonderfully, but is quite expensive and requires a special gun for application.

If the thickness of the countertop is small, then you can use compounds such as “Moment” or “Superglue”. Titan glue is also good for working with plastic. To make the repair effective, fix the surface and leave for several hours until completely hardened. To ensure everything goes smoothly, carefully study which glue is best to use for furniture repair.

Important! To make the joint line less noticeable, mix plastic powder with the glue.

Necessary tools for varnishing tabletops

Before varnishing the tabletop, you need to take care of a sufficient number of necessary tools for the job. To create the deepest possible color of natural wood, you can use stain - the day before varnishing, the tabletop is painted with a small sponge. To work with the prepared tree you will need:

• brush or roller;
• cotton pads;
• additional lamp;
• fine sandpaper with fine grain.

The varnish is applied with a roller or brush with natural bristles Source privatmebel.ru
The main tool for application will be a brush or roller. In the first case, it is recommended to use a tool with dense natural bristles. The roller should be made of microfiber or fabric with a minimum amount of lint. Cotton pads are used to wipe off fallen drops of varnish from non-working surfaces.

How to paint a countertop

Laminated chipboard is one of the most popular materials for making kitchen furniture, including countertops.
Among the advantages in comparison with other materials, it is necessary to highlight strength, maintainability, and long service life. But any furniture sooner or later loses its original appearance. Then all that remains is to either change it or repaint it. If you buy a new headset, you will have to dismantle the existing one and solve problems with removal and disposal. Additional investments and time will be required to visit furniture showrooms or workshops.

The second option does not require any special costs or experience. The main thing is compliance with the technology and preliminary preparation of the necessary materials and equipment. With a little effort, the result will be a unique tabletop. In addition, you can update the color regularly, taking into account your mood, the weather outside or seasonality.

Next, we will consider step by step how and with what to paint the tabletop. All steps are required. It is not recommended to skip them in order to get a perfectly smooth and even surface.

How can you paint laminated chipboard?

The design of furniture has not changed much in recent years. Unlike design. Wardrobes, cabinets in bright shades and contrasting colors are in fashion, while cheap imitation solid wood is becoming a thing of the past. But you don’t have to throw away old furniture made of laminated chipboard - you can give it a second life by changing it beyond recognition by repainting it in a different color.

When choosing what paint to paint laminated chipboard furniture, remember safety. At home, you can only use materials that do not emit toxic substances into the air. Water-based paints meet this requirement. Eg:

• Cretaceous. The base of chalk paint is lime, which is mixed with pigments, resins, silicates or other binders. It lays on any surface and creates a thick matte layer on them. Combines with Provence style or popular shabby chic.
• Dairy. This is a type of chalk paint. Its base is milk casein, which reacts with lime to form a hard, semi-matte, non-fading coating. Milk paints adhere well to glossy surfaces without pre-treatment.
• Acrylic. Acrylic-based paints have the same qualities as chalk and milk paints, but they have a significant drawback - they do not lie on the laminated chipboard surface without first matting it with sandpaper.

Laminated furniture painted with water-based paint is only suitable for dry rooms. To place it in a bathroom or toilet room, choose alkyd enamel. It dries quickly, but has a strong smell. To paint products with it, you need to choose a well-ventilated area and use personal protective equipment.

Attention! Alkyd enamel is toxic only at the time of painting. Once hardened, it becomes safe.

Criteria for choosing wood varnish

To choose the right paint for wood, you need to carefully familiarize yourself with the criteria, based on which you can make the right choice without wasting money and time:

• Consumption - calculate the surface you will treat, due to the fact that each product has a different consumption.
• Layers – for untreated wood, it is necessary to treat the surface in several layers. Thus, you need to estimate exactly how much material you will need.
• Composition – the composition may contain many dangerous substances that can negatively affect the human body.
• Application methods - there are a huge number of ways to apply varnish: aerosol, brush or roller.

Further purpose - it is necessary to carefully study the issue of future operation, since there are different varnishes: with resistance to atmospheric pressure and ultraviolet radiation, resistance to humidity and temperature changes.

How to update your kitchen countertops with your own hands?

Kitchen countertops made of any materials sooner or later lose their presentability and need updating. If you can’t afford a new set, you can restore the work surface.

In our article you will learn how to update an old countertop in the kitchen with your own hands, how to completely change its appearance without turning to specialists.

What varnish to paint laminated furniture

Varnishes are made from the same materials as paints. Therefore, it is better to use acrylic or water-based polyurethane compounds for home use. With their help you can achieve the following effects:

• Gloss - smooth mirror surface.
• Matte surface - without the shine inherent in gloss.
• Craquelure is a surface with small cracks in the varnish coating. Used for refinishing laminated furniture to look antique.

Varnishes can be clear or colored, but they are always transparent. They preserve the structure of the surface, but change its shade. Therefore, they are used for wood-look laminated chipboard facades to give them the appearance of solid wood from valuable species.

Types of countertops and their defects

Working surfaces are made from different materials:

• A natural stone. It is less susceptible to wear and tear than others. A countertop made of natural granite, for example, is not at all afraid of damage.
• Acrylic is a type of artificial stone. It is not resistant to scratches and cuts.
• Quartz agglomerate is durable like granite, but over time it still loses its appearance.
• Casting stone is a solid thin-layer polymer on a base. Requires careful sanding.
• Plastic is a budget option for countertops. It wears out quickly without the use of cutting boards.
• Wood treated with impregnations and varnishes also requires care to maintain its appearance.

How to update a kitchen countertop: radical methods

How to update a kitchen countertop with your own hands if its old appearance is no longer satisfactory? There are several options.

Pasting

The easiest way to transform your work surface. What to cover the tabletop with? To do this, you will need a thick vinyl film with a self-adhesive backing; photo wallpaper is also suitable.

1. The surface of the tabletop must first be degreased and sanded for leveling. Important . If there are potholes or chips on the surface, they must be filled with repair putty.
2. Paste the film. It is important to fix one side correctly so that when rolling, the canvas moves parallel to the edge of the table. During the pasting process, you need to help with a plastic or rubber spatula to force out bubbles and smooth out the coating.

The service life of the film is 3-4 years with careful use.

Painting and glazing

The second easiest way to solve the problem is to update the countertop. Suitable for any type of surface that must first be puttied or sanded for leveling.

How to paint a kitchen countertop:

• Acrylic paint.
• Alkyd enamel.
• Water-based paint.

The coloring composition should be applied to a degreased surface in 2 layers. You can use your imagination and draw something on the tabletop. For those who don’t know how to draw, you can use ready-made templates.

It is advisable to protect the finished coating with tempered glass. It will prevent small chips of paint from getting into food and preserve the color coating from abrasion. Glass can also be used for pasting.

Decoupage under glass

A creative way to update your kitchen table top with your own hands is the decoupage technique. It is characterized by freedom of creativity - you can use any applications, ready-made or homemade, sparkles, memorial cards, etc. They must be glued to a previously degreased surface using PVA, and after drying, covered with 3-4 layers of furniture varnish or glass.

Major update

How to radically update your countertop:

• Cover with tiles.
• Apply mosaic.
• Make a composition with stones, shells and other three-dimensional decor in transparent or colored epoxy resin.

How to update a countertop with your own hands depends mainly on the budget, imagination and capabilities of the kitchen owners. You can use any available restoration and transformation techniques.