Hey everyone, I need some serious advice! I've got a metal kitchen table that has seen better days with scratches on its coating and metal. I thought I could take on the refinishing project myself, but it didn't go so well. We tried contacting some places to help fix it, but they didn't know what finish it had and ended up making the situation worse, including sharp edges and a poor coating that stains easily. The last business we talked to mentioned that it had some marine coating. I suggested to the owner that they fix it, but they've been unresponsive. I didn't pay the initial amount they quoted ($900) or the extra due to difficulty ($300). My wife thinks we should just get a new table, but I feel stuck since I was counting on them to fix this mess. Any advice on whether I should pursue the repair or just cut my losses and get a new table?
4 Answers
Honestly, consider it a life lesson that cost you $300. Do you have any crafty friends or family? This might be a fun project for someone who loves refurbishing furniture!
Painting with automotive paint is a solid idea, and you could protect it by having a piece of glass cut to fit on top. Best of luck!
You know, it sounds like the first place made a mistake by grinding through what looks like brushed steel, which is a tough finish to repair. Basically, unless you can find somewhere to re-dip it (which likely will cost more than the table itself), I’d probably just let that business go. As for the edges, you can smooth them out with some sanding or filing. A fresh paint job, powder coating, or cerakote could be a cool idea for the tabletop, plus you could switch up the color if you wanted!
What you’re looking at is more of a metal finishing project than just furniture refinishing. You might get better results with techniques similar to auto body repair. If you’re willing to dive into it, start sanding with around 320 grit to see if you can remove the old finish and scratches. Then, work your way up to about 2000 or higher grit to achieve that brushed look again. Don’t forget to consider a durable clear coat, although it might end up too shiny for your taste. Good luck with it!
Totally! Powder coating would give it a sick look!