Garage Sale Find

This summer I found a piece at a garage sale that I was really excited about. It set me back $5....yikes! Haha! The structure would fit my existing furniture but it could definitely use some work. It needed a lot of sanding and a new paint job. Hunter green was NOT my color!

I forgot to take a 'before' photo prior to sanding the top of the table. It was hunter green as well with a lot of scratches. Mike helped me out on this project by doing the sanding. He was pretty excited about using his new belt sander. Ideally, it'd be great to use an orbital sander but we made do with what we had!

He sanded the entire table down, legs, bottom shelf, top, edges, etc. Sand that baby down!

We had to sand the set-in parts by hand since the sander was too large to fit in those tighter areas. After sanding, I wiped it down with a wet rag to get all the saw dust removed so it's ready to paint.

I decided to go with the spray paint application as I didn't want to see brush marks. Since it's down to the actual wood, it's best to spray on a primer before the color. I used Rust-o-leum Painters Touch Gray Primer. After a lot of research, many painters recommended this brand. 

As always, it's best to do multiple light coats rather than a couple thick coats. I spent the afternoon spraying a coat on and letting dry for 20 minutes, spraying another coat, drying 20 minutes, and so on. 

Here is the result after 4 or more primer coats.

Once the primer is completely dry, you can lightly sand the piece again to smooth out the paint or start in on the final painting of the piece. I decided to skip this step but if I were to do it again I would give it a light sanding so it was even more smooth, but it's completely up to you and if you've got the time. I was so excited to get it done and use it so of course I headed right to the black spray paint! Again, I did multiple light coats of the black spray paint until everything was evenly covered. Let that dry at least overnight and then it's ready to be used!

Here is the final product! I decided to put the table by our door from the garage that comes into the kitchen and living room. It was a nice little corner that screamed for a side table. 

I'm still trying to find decor to fit the table. I put my red scented wax warmer on the table and ran the cord down the back right leg and tried to 'hide' the cord as best possible. I used a gloss black paint for the table so the bright light from our south sliding doors creates a shine in the bottom picture that makes it look 'gray' in some spots. That is due to the light and how the camera catches it. 

For $5, a little sanding, and some spray paint I gave myself a new side table that would easily cost $50 in store. 

Mike hears this all the time as I say this too often but it's true - Imagine what a little paint can do to that! Never count anything out!

Thanks for reading!