Among Friends

[Mom2Dogs]

I started a project, strippig the paint off a table. The table is metal and the plan was to rough up the paint so that I could use a spray paint on the table.  It is all metal except for the top, which is wood.The top was easily removed, and will need a slight sand and I will oil the wood, the wood was in good shape.

Then trouble started, the deglossing and light sand on all the legs and open sides of the table did not rough up the paint enough and my spray paint did not stick, ugh.

I almost never use spray paint but the legs are best suited for spray paint.

So I decided to strip off the paint, well that paint is almost untouchable!!  I spent this afternoon trying to get to the base metal, what a job.  I cannot imagine what that paint is!!!

I have sanded, stripped and refinished many things over the years, this is by far the hardest piece I have ever worked on.  What was to be a fun afternoon of cleaning up and painting a piece has turned into a mess.

Does anyone have any tips?  I did read I could use a heat gun but really do not want to buy one for an inexpensive table, and probably will not have another need for a heat gun.

The stripping solution today is not near as strong as what was availble in the past, that might be the problem. I don't know but...I cleaned up for the day and will wait until we have a warmer day to apply more stripper, I know it works better when the weather is warmer, but am open to any tips from those of you that are familiar with stripping furniture, thanks

[Kachina624]

@Mom2Dogs.  You metal parts may be a baked-on enamel.  How about using a metal primer over it before spray painting?

I once had trouble sanding a metal table and used a wire brush attachment on my drill. 

[SilleeMee]

Do you have a local sandblasting service company near you? 

One time I took down a wooden door and had it sandblasted to remove all traces of paint/varnish. Came out looking like new. I'm sure they do metals, too.

[Mom2Dogs]

@SilleeMee   The table was very inexpensive so I hate to put much money into it but I do know someone that has that ability, I will ask them the cost.

@Kachina624   I don't know about being baked on...there was yellow paint (first coat) the white is the top coat...it's VERY durable what ever it is.

[SilleeMee]

@Mom2Dogs 

I googled for prices of sandblasting metal furniture and in my area it's around $50 per item. Larger items will be more.

[Lucky Charm]

Have you ever tried chalk paint?  No sanding needed.  Coats so easily to wood and metal.  Many different colors to choose from and you can mix to cusomize your choice.

[Mom2Dogs]

@Lucky Charm   I have not used chalk paint...to late now as I have 1/2 of the paint removed...now I need to get it sanded down to a smoother finish.  

I don't want to brush paint on as the table is open with legs, lots of round areas to paint around.   I rarely use spray paint but this project is a must for spray paint.

[Lucky Charm]

Once I found Chalk Paint (Annie Sloan's), I never looked back.  I've done about a hundred pieces in the past 10 years.  No more sanding, no more stripping.  Just pretty painted pieces.

[Mom2Dogs]

@Lucky Charm   I have another piece of furniture that I want to work on this summer, I will try chalk paint for the project.  Do you do the waxing after painting with the chalk paint?

thanks.

[Lucky Charm]

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@Mom2Dogs wrote:

@Lucky Charm   I have another piece of furniture that I want to work on this summer, I will try chalk paint for the project.  Do you do the waxing after painting with the chalk paint?

thanks.

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I use the wax on tabletops, but maybe not the legs.  Tops of dresser, but maybe not the drawer front.  Depends on the piece and how much usuage it will take.  I never waxed my last kitchen table top and it took day to day usage and nothing bad happened to it.  I painted that table top 4 different colors over a period of two or three years.  I'm telling you, chalk painting is addictive.  You can do a really awesome ombre effect, or something that looks like it came out of a museum.  I've done 4  complete bedroom sets for people.  Very important to use Annie Sloans.  I get no proceeds for referring that brand--lol, but know others' who've been let down with *like* brands.