I found a coffee table at a yard sale that had really beautiful legs. The finish on the top was damaged and I knew I was looking at a load of sanding, but I really felt like it needed to be brought back to life.

I started by using 1×4’s cut to length. My table was 49 inches long, so to give it an inch over hang on the ends, I cut my boards at 51 inches.

Next, I prepped and sanded the new boards that were going to make the top. I rounded the edges and made sure everything fit together nicely.

After they were sanded with 60, 150 and 220 grit, I wiped them clean and applied a layer of Minwax Classic Gray stain.

This was the first time I have ever used a gray stain. I hated it.

I expected it to cover or mask the orange tones in the wood a little better. I am assuming that maybe if I had applied more coats it would’ve done a better job, but I decided to stop and change directions. So I applied Minwax Dark Walnut over the gray and that gave me more of the tone I was looking for.

Back at the table, I measured to find the center. I used a level as a straight edge and drew a straight line down the entire length of the table. The line worked as my guide for laying out the new table top boards.

Then I used a caulk gun and applied a liberal amount of liquid nails and carefully placed the boards where they needed to be on the coffee table.

To help hold them in place, I drilled 1 1/4″ screws up through the bottom and into the new boards. I was careful to pick screws that were long enough to make it all the way through the original top, but not go all the way through the new ones.

I left the table upside down over night with heavy boxes placed on top. I wanted to put plenty of pressure on the new lumber and make sure the liquid nails had enough time to cure. These poor boxes have been through a project or two!

The next day, I removed the boxes and used my favorite white, Sherwin Williams Alabaster, to paint the bottom. I knew I was going to rough it up afterward, so I didn’t spend too much time meticulously painting every crease. I used 60 grit sandpaper to take off some of the paint along the edges.

After a coat of poly to help protect the top, the table was finished and ready to be loved again.

 

Not bad for less than $30!