Spray Me Pretty – Coffee Table Makeover

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.  I was compensated in the form of a product.  All opinions are my own.

When I moved out of my parents home, one of the first pieces of furniture I acquired was a coffee table they purchased when I was an infant. The coffee table has served me well, but it was past due for a makeover. Today, I want to share with you the steps I took to update its look.  However before I get started, I first want to introduce you to the Fab Furniture Flippin’ Contest!

The Fab Furniture Flippin’ Contest is a monthly furniture decorating contest.  Each month there is a new theme and a new sponsor. October’s theme is “Spray Me Pretty” and October’s sponsor is Homeright!

Homeright offers a variety of painting, automotive and home care products. I have heard a lot of people buzzing about their paint sprayers, and I finally had the opportunity to try their Finish Max Fine Finish HVLP Sprayer!

October’s fab hosts are Lynn from Fern Avenue  and Evey from Evey’s Creations. Our fab hosts kicked off this month’s contest with sprayed pieces of their own. Be sure to check out Lynn’s and Evey’s furniture flips. If you are a blogger and you are interested in participating in future contests, please send an email to info@fabfurnitureflippincontest.com.

Spraying the Coffee Table

This coffee table has survived the wear and tear of 6 children over in the span of almost 3 decades. It’s time it received a little TLC.

Step 1: Dilute the paint

I am a big fan of ombre finishes, and I wanted to incorporate the look in the coffee table. I purchased two quarts of paint+primer in a teal-ish color, one slightly darker than the other. Out of the quart, the paint was too thick to go through the sprayer. The Finish Max came with a viscosity cup. You fill the cup up with paint and measure how much time it takes for the contents to empty. The instructions for the Finish max included a table with recommended times for various finishes such as stains, enamels, varnish, etc.

Step 2: Apply a base coat

I filled the Finish max container with the diluted paint in the lighter of the two colors. I covered the entire table with that color.

Step 3: Create a 1:1 paint ratio with the two colors and spray on the legs

I applied the color gradient only on the legs of the table. I made a half and half mix of the two colors and sprayed the middle third portion of the legs.

Step 4: Spray bottom portion of the legs with the second, darker color

To complete the transition, I sprayed the bottom portion of the legs with the darker of the two colors. It is a very subtle gradient change.

Step 5: Seal the table with a gloss varnish

Finally, I added a coat of gloss varnish for extra protection.

The Updated Coffee Table

I’m in love with the new look for the coffee table. It gives off bright, fun vibes. I’m also in love with my new sprayer. The Finish Max was really easy to use, greatly reduced the amount of time it would have taken me to paint, and left a real smooth finish. I was nervous about the amount of work cleaning the tool would require, but it was really simple and easy. (I was using a water based paint.)

I think going back to a paint brush is going to be really hard.

The gradient shows up better when the coffee table is indoors.  If I had to do this over again, I would have selected a darker color for the bottom of the legs so the gradient change would be more visible.