Do I need to undercoat a bedside table?

Where to start! Well if you think I have been on holiday your right (wrong). I picked up a bedside table up with every intention of painting it. Do I need to undercoat it first and if so can I use themy low sheen white paint. Plus I thought I would use an enamel water base on top. My sister back in the UK painted hers and I wrecked it in two minutes just with normal use.Also could i get away with spray painting it with a can from Bunnings. I now am the proud owner of numerous spray paint small pot paint etc.Please keep it simple its for FB not me,plus how do I know the difference between wood chipboard and plywood?. I apologise to Mitchell but the mirror is almost finished and I took his advice and drew a pattern around the edges. Not finished yet b

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MitchellMc

Hi @brendawebster44,

If the cabinet is in good condition with no peeling or flaking paint, you may not need to undercoat it. However, if the surface is damaged, uneven or has an old layer of oil-based paint, it's a good idea to sand back the paint (lots of work) or use a specialty primer like Dulux Precision Max Adhesion. Applying an undercoat will help ensure that the topcoat of paint adheres to the surface and creates a smooth, even finish. It also helps to seal any small gaps, knots, and cracks in the wood, preventing them from showing through the final paint layer.

Once you've applied the undercoat, you could use low-sheen wall paint on the sides. However, it's not very hard-wearing, and as you've mentioned, enamel paint for the top is necessary.

Spray paint is another option; you could use it on the unit.

Here's a helpful step-by-step guide on How to upcycle a bedside cabinet.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

brendawebster44

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/26608#Comment_26608

Well hello and thankyou for your advice. I will definitely follow your directions but just one more question how do I seal the top from hot cups etc . Yes I know you should not accept people doing that but they Do, ta brenda

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/75973#Comment_75973

The enamel paint will offer a certain amount of protection @brendawebster44. I suggest providing a few coasters on the table to be used with hot beverages. That's the best way to protect the surface.

You could spray the top with a clear acrylic, but I'm not convinced it would offer any more protection than the enamel paint.

Mitchell

brendawebster44

Hi just thought I would check in with my excuse for not painting the bloo-y table. I couldn’t do the table because it was full of groves and holes plus screws sticking out. I did find it on the nature strip (stealing technically)Anyway I screwed in what I could with my Philips head and plastered over them all but haven’t had time yet to do anymore. Mitchell i really do want to paint but the garden has had a right old battering so priorities. This should be proof that i dont sit around watching Tele.

KatieC

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/26677#Comment_26677

Hi @brendawebster44,

Your garden looks very lovely, no one could ever accuse you of sitting around and doing nothing! We look forward to seeing your table project but don't worry, no time pressure from us. Let us know if you need help along the way.

Katie

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