I used my favorite green Magic Strip Citrus-Action Gel Stripper and stripped away the layers and layers of paint overnight while I slept by placing waxed paper on top. This stripper works slow and steady, won’t burn holes in your hands if you splatter and continues to work for 24 hours unless it dries out. That’s where the waxed paper comes in handy. By laying a sheet on top of the stripper, it won’t dry out on hot summer days or in a heated workshop. It’s so awesome to wake up in the morning and just slide all that goo away like butta!
My intent was to refinish the top restoring the beautiful warm wood tones but I wanted to leave rustic charm of the nicks and bumps that give it so much character which I did using clear wax and light aging wax.
And… because I like to mix it up, I HAD to add some color to part of it. My heart was set on painting the legs some sort of green.
Being the Type A or Nit-Picky person, as my sister calls me, that I am. I started playing with Carolina Sun Yellow and Maine Harbor Blue as I do on many occasions in a quest for that perfect shade. I kept adding different colors here and there until I discovered the absolute perfect shade of green!
I mean, I’m an authorized retailer for CeCe Caldwell’s Paints ~ it’s not like I don’t know which colors we have. I must just like playing with the paint 😀
Alaskan Tundra Green was Perfect for this Table!
I applied the paint in a sloppy manner to make it look as though it had worn this way over the years, then as I always do, I sealed it with a generous coat of our clear wax. I really slather the clear wax on working it into the paint to create that bond that really seals and finishes the paint.
It will save you so much time and frustration later on down the road if you decide to age it, especially if you’re not familiar with this process. Aging wax will dramatically change the color of your paint if you apply it directly over the paint and due to the oils in the wax, it can remove the paint if it’s applied directly over the paint before it has fully cured.
You will be amazed by taking this one step how much easier it is and how little aging wax you’ll need when you do age it. People think they’ll have to purchase twice as much wax then, but that’s not the case. I recommend getting a full size can of clear wax and sample size pots of the aging waxes to start out.
I typically don’t use any more than a teaspoon of aging wax on a medium size dresser and probably used about the same amount of the light aging wax on this table because I wanted it to retain it’s old world look. I’ll be doing a thorough post on waxing in the near future to further explain this process.
I had removed the leaves to strip it and really grew to love it as a console table. I love the rustic contrast of the old hinges against the green and think it adds so much more character than your basic sofa table on the market today.
This is one of those pieces I wanted to keep. I really wanted to swap it out with a table my husband purchased years ago for me, but I didn’t have the heart so off to my Shizzle Design booth it went.
Paint a Piece of Your Furniture Workshop is
November 17th from noon – 5:00 p.m.
All the details for this class can be found HERE
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Embracing Change – Creative Inspirations
Tatertots & Jello – Weekend Party Wrap Up
Homespun Happenings – Rustic Restorations Weekend
I love what you did, and can’t believe how the end product looked. It would be hard for me to let that one go!
I just started a brand new blog for my vintage finds, and would love if you came by, I am feeling lonely! I came over from Knick of Time Tuesday!
Jan @ The Pink Geranium
Beautiful piece of furniture, thanks for the tips!
it looks beautiful and great tips! thanks for sharing! i didn’t know you could put stripper on then wax paper and then sleep. 😉
wow~it’s so grungy & wonderful!
Your table is wonderful. I just painted a bench green and I love it.
This is gorgeous, I wish I lived closer so I could visit your shop and take classes!
Thank you!! I am humbled by everyone’s kindness!
super look! I love this table xox
It turned out gorgeous. You are so like me, I play around with paint, then end up with one of the CeCe Colors I already have. The table is gorgeous, and truly looks like an old antique. Did you know we are together again featured at Primitive and Proper? You just can’t get away from me. PS check your mail for a package coming soon!
What a gorgeous table! I love the natural wood paired with the paint!
A great result. I can tell how hard you work at just thinking about how to place the paint. Wish I could take a class, but I would be driving for days! Your new booth looks wonderfully inviting.
Beautiful piece, Shelly! I adore that color! Thanks so much for sharing another fabulous tutorial. I really love learning from you! 🙂
xoxo laurie
That is a pretty table and the finish is awesome.
Will the stripper thing work on stain too? I could go nuts…
Thank you for the helpful tips on wax. Been too nervous to switch from polyurethane…but with the helpful hints on sealing with clear wax first I feel more confident trying.