Table makeover — Fun with Mod Podge!
I took an ugly, old TV stand and turned it into something cute and original. You can do this process with any old table that could use a makeover.
Supplies
I had 1/2 yard of fabric and that was about double what I needed, though you need to take into account directional prints and the size of your table. The spray paint I used was called “Avocado” and it went with this fabric beautifully. I used a foam brush, but you could use any brush you like. Foam brushes are nice because you don’t have to worry about stray bristles getting stuck (and drying) in the Mod Podge. Supposedly, Mod Podge is simple to make. Just google it! I’ve never tried it because I’ve had my jar for ages and it lasts forever.
Process
Take your table and turn it upside down on the fabric, being mindful of the pattern on the fabric and how you’ll want it to look in the end. Cut around the table, leaving a bit extra all the way around.
Sand the table. You don’t have to go too crazy. This will help the paint stick better.
Spray paint your table. I used a color called avocado, and it was hard to get decent coverage. I went through a whole can and had to go buy more. This is a pretty small table, so I wasn’t too pleased about that!
Before you cut your fabric to its final size, you’ll want to Mod Podge it. This will prevent fraying or strings on the edges. Otherwise, you’ll get a bunch of peeling strings along the edges as you finish the table. The Mod Podge will appear milky at first, but don’t worry — it will dry clear.
What the heck?! How often does it rain in New Mexico? I guess I now know the secret cure for our drought: paint something and leave it outside to dry.
Turn your painted table upside down on the fabric that you coated in Mod Podge. Trace around the edge of the table.
Cut the fabric on the tracing lines. Incidentally, at this point the fabric feels really rough and stiff. I was a bit worried about my final results.
I wanted my fabric to sit entirely on top of the table and not wrap around, so I set it on the table and carefully trimmed it to size. I wanted to see a bit of the green table peeking out.
Carefully set your fabric on the table just how you want it. Then carefully pull back one edge and paint the surface of the table with Mod Podge. Then lay the fabric back on it. Lift up from the other side and finish painting the table with Mod Podge and sticking the fabric down.
This is the time to really get all the bubbles out. I must say, though, that despite my best efforts, bubbles formed later.
Paint the fabric with Mod Podge, getting all the way to the wood. At first, I was going to stop there. But as I read the label on the jar, I saw a few finishing options and decided to proceed. I’m really glad I did.
I coated it five times, waiting at least 15-20 minutes between coatings. Then I let it dry thoroughly.
Next, the instructions said to “wet sand” the surface with sand paper. I had no idea what that meant, but crossed my fingers that I should take it literally. I added some water to the surface and sanded a bit. It seemed like it was dissolving the Mod Podge a little and I did worry a bit, but since all worked out in the end, I believe this is intended. I sanded all the roughness away (there were some brush strokes, for instance, that dried in the Mod Podge).
The final step is to take some really fine steel wool and buff the table surface. If you’re like me and not particularly handy, you might think that running steel wool of any sort over a surface to make it glossy and smooth sounds ridiculous, but it really does work if it’s really fine steel wool! My table surface ended up being really smooth and looking terrific. My only complaint is that after all was said and done, there were a few dark spots on the fabric that appeared mysteriously midway through the project. I’m not sure how they got there, so just be really careful if you use a light-colored fabric.
Other views
