DIY tiled outdoor table

[Gina]

White grid tiled outdoor table

I found an old outdoor glass and metal frame table on the side of the road that was destined for landfill. I loved the contemporary, clean shape of the table and thought it would be perfect for a tiled tabletop makeover. Using white grid tiles and spray paint, the table now has a modern look and is ready for outdoor entertaining!

Materials

• Old metal frame and glass top outdoor table (mine was salvaged from the side of the road)
• WD-40 EZ-Reach (to clean and remove rust)
• Eco Prim Grip (primer to help tiles stick to glass)
• White spray paint (all-in-one, no primer needed)
• White square mosaic tiles
• Tile glue
• White grout
• White silicone

Tools

• Metal bristle brush
• Notched trowel (for tile glue)
• Tile float (to spread grout)
• Bucket, sponge, wooden spoon, paint brush

Steps

Step 1

Start by giving your old table a thorough clean. For rust and hard-to-reach spots on the metal frame, spray WD-40 EZ-Reach, wait 5 minutes, then scrub with a metal bristle brush. This removes grime and protects against future rust.

Step 2

Once clean, spray paint the frame with two coats of all-in-one spray paint. This instantly refreshes the look and protects the metal from weather damage.

Step 3

Before tiling, apply Eco Prim Grip to the glass top. This gives the surface a gritty texture so the tile glue can adhere properly. Let it dry completely before laying your tiles.

Step 4

Spread a layer of tile glue using a notched trowel, then press the mosaic tile sheets into place. If you don’t have tile spacers, you can improvise — I used paddle pop sticks and they worked fine!

Tip: If your table is an odd size, you might need to cut tiles. I avoided this by allowing a 3–5mm overhang, which achieved a neat look and saved so much time.

Step 5

After the glue dries (24 hours), mix your white grout according to the instructions — it’s important to follow the exact water ratio to avoid cracks later. Work quickly to press grout into the joints, then wipe away the excess with a damp sponge before it sets.

Tip: It’s best to use 2 buckets when wiping away grout — use one with clean water to refresh your sponge and use the second bucket to squeeze out the dirty water. This will save you so much time and minimise grout haze.

Step 6

For a clean edge, apply white silicone around the perimeter of the table. This seals any gaps and gives the table a polished finish.

[Jason]

Nice one @Gina. The table looks fantastic and I'm sure will inspire many community members to have a go at a similar tiling project. 

Thanks for sharing another wonderful project with the Bunnings Workshop community. We're looking forward to seeing what you tackle next.

Jason

[Gina]

Thanks so much Jason! I was upcycling some old chairs and a coat rack today... let's see how they turn out!