8 Easy Steps to Paint or Decorate a Wooden Picnic Table

Sure, you can sand and stain your wooden picnic table again this year. After all, isn't that what you usually do when the weather warms up? Yes, indeed, staining wooden lawn furniture is an all-American pastime and serves both a decorative and protective function. Staining your deck furniture is pretty simply stuff. All you do is prep the wooden picnic table, sand it down a bit to smooth out the rough edges, and stain it some silly shade of brown to match the color of your backyard deck, house or outbuilding, right?

This year, why not paint your wooden picnic table instead? It's just as easy as staining the wood, but offers additional benefits like major style points. You have a wider range of colors and you can experiment with all kinds of shapes, designs and colors. America's painting experts report that white and red are America's favorite paint colors for wooden picnic tables. But, you decide what colors will work best to harmonize with your backyard décor or compliment your landscape.

Where to start? First, you'll need to pick up some supplies at your local hardware store or home improvement center. Sears, Lowes, Home Depot and Benjamin Moore, among other national home improvement and painting giants, have great exterior paints and wood finishes. Or, shop online for eco-friendly, green products. Next, check out these eight easy steps to paint or decorate a wooden picnic table.

Just The Basics: Painting a Wooden Picnic Table

Materials needed: Wire brush, sandpaper (course and fine) or electric sander (optional), rags, tarp, paintbrushes, primer, painter's (blue) tape, and paint. (Try eco-friendly, low VOC paint that holds up outdoors.)

Step 1. Clean wooden picnic table. Thoroughly wash picnic table. Let dry.

Step 2. Brush table. Using a strong wire brush, scrape off any paint that has peeled over the long winter season.

Step 3. Sand table. Using sandpaper or an electric sander, gently sand out any splinters or rough patches in the wood. Gently sand the ends of the wooden picnic table. Finish all sanding with a finer grit sandpaper.

Step 4. Protect table. Position the table on a tarp in the shade and away from wind, dust and debris.

Step 5. Prime table, if needed. If picnic table is new or unpainted, you will need to use primer. Begin painting with a paintbrush from top to bottom, making sure to paint the undersides of the table as well. Be careful not to overload your brush or allow the paint to drip down the sides of the wooden picnic table. Let dry overnight.

Step 6. Use regular paint, if already primed or painted. If picnic table has already been painted, you can use regular paint and allow it to dry thoroughly before applying a second coat of paint.

Step 7. Apply a second coat of paint. Make sure all surfaces are covered well.

Step 8. Dry before using. Let wooden picnic table dry thoroughly before using. Enjoy!

Fine Design: Painting and Decorating a Wooden Picnic Table

Materials needed: Wire brush, sandpaper (course and fine) or electric sander (optional), rags, tarp, paintbrushes, primer, painter's (blue) tape, enamel or outdoor paint, stencils and self-leveling polyurethane (Try eco-friendly, low VOC paints and polyurethane or soy-based "green" polyurethane.)

Step 1. Clean wooden picnic table. Thoroughly wash picnic table. Let dry.

Step 2. Brush table. Using a strong wire brush, scrape off any paint that has peeled over the long winter season.

Step 3. Sand table. Using sandpaper or an electric sander, gently sand out any splinters or rough patches in the wood. Gently sand the ends of the wooden picnic table. Finish all sanding with a finer grit sandpaper.

Step 4. Protect table. Position the table on a tarp in the shade and away from wind, dust and debris.

Step 5. Prime table. Begin by painting with a paintbrush from top to bottom, making sure to paint the undersides of the table as well. Be careful not to overload your brush or allow the paint to drip down the sides of the wooden picnic table. Let dry overnight.

Step 6. For stencil designs: Position your stencils and tape down using blue painter's tape. Apply enamel or other outdoor paint to the inside areas of the stencils. Let dry overnight.

Step 6(a). For striped designs: Hand draw or use a ruler and pencil to determine where your stripes will be positioned. Paint stripes with enamel or outdoor paint. Let dry overnight.

Step 7. Gently sand table. Using fine grit sandpaper, gently sand the stencil patterns or stripes.

Step 8. Finish and protect table. Apply 2-3 coats of exterior oil-based polyurethane with a brush, making sure that the paint is applied in long, even strokes, careful not to paint over areas where polyurethane has already been applied. Polyurethane will even itself out, not to worry. Enjoy!

RESOURCES

Reviving Outdoor Furniture by Scott Schilling
This Old House

Refresh your grill and outdoor furniture with paint
Home Made Simple

Outdoor Garden Furniture - Learning Center
www.outdoorgardenfurniture.net/learningcenter_wood.html

Home and Garden Television
www.hgtv.com