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DIY Thrift Flip – Side Table Makeover

July 15, 2021 by kim Leave a Comment

Check out this amazing DIY thrift flip transformation of an old side table. This side table makeover took a different turn than I had planned but I am loving the results!

Come see what products I used & how I gave this side table a FRESH, NEW LOOK!

DIY Thrift Flip

Today, I am going to show you how I took an old dried and peeling side table & gave it a fresh, clean start. I will also share what products I used along with how I sealed white paint without it yellowing.

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my disclosure policy here.

Upcycling & Restoring a Thrifted Table

Orange & peeling – no other way to describe this table. I paid $10 for it at a yard sale because I like the uniqueness of its shape & size along with the fact it is extremely sturdy & solid.
I also liked the little lower shelf & thought it would make a nice side table in our living room. But it needed some assistance before that could happen.

What I originally had in mind for this table was NOT how it turned out. Twice this table took a different turn but I am super happy with the end result.

I started off with a vision of a solid white table with some sort of black stenciling or stamping on the top. So let’s get started & see what happened.

Tips & Tricks for painting with white chalk paint

  • use a top coat or sealer that won’t yellow your paint ( I opted for white wax & it worked out perfectly)
  • apply a primer base before painting to prevent stain or tannins from creeping color through your paint
  • try to apply on a day that is low in humidity if painted outside
  • paint the underside of your piece first then flip over and paint the topside

Materials I used for this DIY thrift flip

  • chalk paint (white linen) by Rustoleum
  • DIY white wax ((AMAZING))
  • small amount of water to add to paint

Tools I used for this DIY thrift flip

  • wax brush (also AMAZING)
  • soft lint-free cloth ( I recommend cheese cloth)
  • paint brush for chalk paint ( I didn’t use a chip brush as I wanted a bit smoother finish)
  • sander & sand paper – fine & rough grit

DIY Thrift Flip Table Makeover

1. Clean the piece top and bottom.

2. Sand using medium grit paper to take off dried, bubbling stain and then switched over to fine grit to smooth out imperfections in the wood.

This took over an hour to get some of the darker soaked in stain off. I also used a piece of fine grit to sand by hand in some of the more stubborn areas.

WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENT AT THIS POINT

Hindsight is 20/20 – I would have continued sanding a bit more on the darker stained areas (later on in the day since it was a scorcher out & that’s probably why I stopped sanding)
I also would have applied a primer.

My original thought was to spray paint this piece which has a primer in it. But decided to try chalk paint at the last minute & forgot all about applying a primer.

I am fortunate that I didn’t get any color bleed through the chalk paint but I would recommend applying a primer so that you don’t have any problems especially if your piece is dried and peeling (& orange) like this one.

3. Flipping the piece over: apply white chalk paint in a thin coat to the underside & inside of legs – Once that is dry stand your piece upright & paint the outside of the legs.



It is at this point I changed my mind about painting the tops & wanted to keep the wood as plain as I could. So, it was back to sanding the paint off the sides that I had just painted. A wet cloth got most of it off for me so that made it easier.

second coat of paint is dry & ready to be distressed

4. Once everything was dry, I lightly distressed the outer rim of the legs & any spots I saw that needed it.

5. I did apply regular plain wax to the entire piece as it was very dry and porous. This step also allows me to apply a colored wax with ease to “move it” easier and have better control with shading and layering.

plain wax vs white wax

The plain wax did bring the orange hue back up so that was a no-go. Now I tried a coat of DIY white wax & even just with the first coat, it made a huge difference.

I applied the first coat & only let it sit for about 15 minutes before buffing it out. Then the second coat sat on for about 40 minutes before buffing it out and that was about the shade I was happy with.

There were a few darker stubborn areas that I applied a bit more on and let that sit overnight & buffed it out in the morning.

6. Apply your wax using a waxing brush (so much easier with one) using circle motions or by going along with the grain of the wood.

The amount of time you leave it on to soak in depends on what look you are going for and the type of piece you are working on.

7. Buff out your wax using circle motions or by going along with the grain of the wood. I recommend cheesecloth or a soft absorbent cotton fabric. I need to buy more cheesecloth so I opted this time to use old socks turned inside out using the terry cloth side.

You will know you have buffed it out enough by how it looks & feels. Just like waxing your vehicle, you don’t want any “tacky” feel and want it smooth when you run your hand across the surface.

8. Let your wax cure prior before using your piece. for about a week per DIY paint co. instructions.

Pros & cons of using a wax sealer

Pros

  • zero fumes or strong odor (smells like wax)
  • can be used indoors
  • easy to apply & buff off
  • easy to acheieve the look you want – can be layered & taken back easily
  • you can apply wax OVER the top of a hard seal (when it has completely dried) to acheive the look you want (just be sure to check out your product directions prior)

The smooth feel, sheen look, easy application & durability are just a few of the reasons why I do love wax for smaller projects.

Cons

  • curing time (depends on the brand: check the label for directions)
  • unless your wax is water based you can not cover it with a hard seal (for water based wax Dixie Belle has Best Dang Wax) it is next on my list to try!
  • wax is not as durable as a hard sealer & for larger more frequently used items it will have to be re-waxed (just like a vehicle it only last for so long when in use)

To achieve the look you want you can apply additional layers or adjust the “sitting” time for the wax before buffing it out.

Pin now to save for later!

Project recap

Cost: $10 table $5 supplies (approx.) total cost $15
I did keep this table if I were to sell it would have been listed at $30

Very happy with the overall project results. Hopefully, my tips & walk-through can help you avoid a few pitfalls and make your project go smoother.

If you like an aged vintage look, coastal vibe, cottage core, or painted white items then I highly recommend this white wax by DIY. A little goes a long way so it will last for a while.

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5 Eco-Friendly Products that SAVE you Money!

Thank you for joining me today. I hope you enjoyed this thrift flip. Please share with me by commenting below & tell me what your latest upcycle project was?
Have you ever been working on a project and changed your vision halfway through?
Blessings. Kim

Filed Under: Flips, Thrifted Tagged With: DIY, flip for resale, home decor, paint, thrift flips, thrift store, thrifting, wax

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Hi guys! My name is Kim & Welcome to Creative DIY Purpose where I share my love of Thrifted Treasures, DIY Inspiration, Upcycled Projects (lots of them) & Creative Activities for all ages! I would love to have you come along with me & join our DIY creative group! Read More…

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