I picked up this vintage Parsons console at the flea market a while back and I’ve been meaning to redo it for ages. Well, I finally was able to cross the project off my house to-do list! I’m loving the bright acid yellow enamel in our living room. It looks pretty with the new sofa color.
The old finish was not all too offensive from afar (this is why the table was not higher up on the to do list). Pretty neutral here, right?
But up close! BAD CRACKLE! NOOOooooooooooo!
Here’s the run down on how I stripped off at least 11 layers of paint and even some thoughts on painting with oil-based paints for that lacquered, enameled look.
I’ve used Klean-Strip Stripper and Citristrip before with great results. I happened to have some of both around for this project and I thought I’d figure out which one I like the best. I used the Klean-Strip for table top and the Citristrip for the legs.
Klean-Strip is like MAJOR caustic. Use it only outside or in a very ventilated space. Keep kids and pets away, and definitely wear gloves. If you get any of the gel on you, you will know in about five seconds. Ouch!
So you’re probably saying, “Jenny! Why would you use this product!?” And I’d say to you “Because I got stuff to DO!” This product works fast. In about 10 minutes, I scraped off the first few layers of paint. If I had waited another 10 minutes, it would have all bubbled completely and been ready to easily scrape up. I did end up putting on another quick layer of the gel and within 10 minutes that second layer was done. I should also mention that I don’t usually use a paint brush to apply the stripper, like the instructions suggest. Mostly because I don’t want to clean up a brush when I can use a putty knife just as easily (just like frosting a cake!), but also because the paint brush makes it harder to get a consistently thick gel coat. You’re shooting for about 1/8-1/4″ of stripper covering everything. If you’re stingy with the gel, you’ll be spending all sorts of time getting that old paint off.
Here’s what the old paint should look like when it’s ready to scrape. Klean-Strip recommends scraping the old paint into a stainless steel bowl, letting the chemicals evaporate outside and then discarding the dried paint, which is what I did.
So, all in all, after 20-25 minutes of work using the Klean-Strip, the table top was down to raw wood. Not bad!
For the legs, I pulled out my Citristrip, which is not at all smelly (it actually smells like oranges a little bit), and can be used inside. I got some of this on my skin too accidentally and I didn’t even know! It makes me wonder how this stuff actually stripped off layer after layer of old paint, be it did! And it did it well!
So, the biggest bummer about Citristrip is it takes a while longer to bubble up the old paint. It took me about an hour and a half of waiting to get about 90% of the paint to release. And I went back and did some spot stripping to clean up some of the old paint that didn’t come up the first layer. I think the legs took about two hours, when all was said and done.
If you’re doing this right, there should be zero amount of intense scraping. Wait until the old paint is super soft and bubbly, and they it just falls off. It’s pretty crazy that in just a couple hours of easy work (most of that time was spent waiting), decades of paint jobs can be removed!
As far as a verdict goes between the two stripping gels, I think I’ll probably stick with Citrastrip in the future. It did its job really well and it’s easy to just do something else while you’re waiting the extra time. I figure if I don’t have the wiggle room in my schedule to wait an extra hour so I can avoid using super-toxic chemicals, there might be some bigger issues here. :)
Now, as far as painting goes, I am completely converted to oil-based paints. Latex is for walls. Oil is for furniture and floors. If you ask for Porch and Floor paint (which is usually oil-based), or Door and Trim paint (which is usually a water-based alkyd), you can get any color you want mixed. I actually had my local hardware store mix a Home Depot color (update: the color is “Citronette” from the Home Decorators Collection by BEHR) in Benjamin Moore paints, which is the opposite of what I usually do! ha! :)
I used a two-inch brush to apply the paint. I don’t like using foam rollers usually for oil-based paints, but I think that might be a personal preference? The texture of oil-based paints just works really well with a brush. Basically, and I’m sure I’ve said this before, it’s just like putting on nail polish. It’s like you’re placing the paint. Once it’s put on, don’t mess with it. The brush marks will smooth out on their own. And if after the paint has fully dried (in about 24 hours) there are a couple of imperfections, you can sand or touch them up at that point.
You can see here above that I work in sections. Each dip-and-one-side-wipe makes a roughly 4×8″ rectangle. If you just slightly overlap each rectangle, all the while resisting the urge to go back and touch up parts, and you’ll have a perfectly lacquered piece of furniture on your hands 24 hours later. Seriously, it’s like magic.
I love a punch of bright chartreuse in almost any room. It’s definitely one of my favorite colors.
Ooh, also, on a whim I hung the Magnolia mirror that I painted with chalkboard paint on the little stair landing. I think I love it. It helps balance out the heaviness of the gallery wall a bit. Plus, the girls love it for fashion show purposes, which happen around here more often than I care to admit.
jenny you are amazing! the yellow looks absolutely gorgeous!
I love your style and how hands on you are! My husband and I were just talking about the pros and cons of oil based paint – neither of us have ever used it before, but I'm eager to try it out on something. Love your insight! Great job!
Lovely! Any word on the color yet? And did you just choose a paint chip at HD and ask them to mix it into the porch & floor? I'm used to the non-tintable rustoleum options! Thanks!
JO
Are there different sheens (ie semi gloss, high-gloss, eggshell) with oil paint or is it just one?
That color… GASP! It is that perfect pop of color. Thanks for the tutorial – I can't wait to apply it to my treasures :)
Jenny, do you prime before you paint with oil based enamel? I couldn't tell exactly from the picture if that was bare wood or not. I've painted one piece in oil and love how it turned out, but hate the cleanup. I know I need to suck it up and starting using exclusively!
This is great! I used that citrus stuff on an old sideboard but I had some problems with it. The yellow is amazing
Ooohh, I simply adore a shot of chartreuse in any room! Thank you for posting this—I got some really good insights. I've been scared to try oil based paints (it has a reputation for being smelly and hard to clean) but the results just don't compare to other types of paint. I am definitely giving this a try the next time I paint furniture. Thank you!
Oh my goodness your table look fabulous! Thank you so much for sharing the process with us. I've been wanting to apply a lacquer finish to some old furniture the my grandmother gave me, and now I feel like it might actually be doable! Thanks again! xo Ez
Hi Jenny – thanks for all your lovely posts, they are so inspiring. Question – what do you think of using the porch paint for kitchen cabinets? I love how yours finshed so glossy and think it could make sense for painting (unfinished) wood cabinets but would love your thoughts. Many thanks!
I love it in the new color!! Fabulous job as always!
This is so helpful! My kids destroyed a coffee table I painted w/ latex. Glad to know oil based is the way to go.
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Hey that's cool… Wealth out of waste. Vice idea. Thanks for sharing
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Amazing job! I am about to strip a vintage high chair that has several bad paint jobs on it. When you use oil-based paints on horizontal surfaces (like the table legs) was it runny?
I LOVE all your color!! Thank you for all the painting tips, too.
Jenny- Do you have a recommendation for stripping paint off of furniture with lots of wood turnings?
Can I ask, how did you bring this parson table home from Chelsea? The requires a car bigger than a taxi. Do they hold it for you till you get a car? Debating on how I could go and make similar purchases.
Hi Jenny, I know you've offered many details about this project, but I'm curious about clean-up and the fumes from the OBP working inside during cold months. I painted a dresser with BM's oil this summer and the biggest hassle was cleaning the brushes. What are you using and what is your process? Are you painting right in the living room? Our dresser had to sit in the garage for three weeks to allow it to off-gas before I could bring it into the kids' room.
I love this post so much! Clear instructions. I love that you compared two different types of stripper. I love that you talked about "placing" the paint and resisting the urge to touch it up. You make everything seem so doable!
"Why would you use this product!?" And I'd say to you "Because I got stuff to DO!" Ha! Keep it real, sistah! Great post!
Its so colorful and very spacious too
awesome work
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Jenny-This looks lovely! I have an old table & some doors that I have been thinking of painting, however I was concerned about the idea of removing what is probably lead paint. Is there any extra precautions that you might need to take because of this? Someone else asked about turned wood. Do you have any suggestions for tools when working with less than flat surfaces? I'd appreciate any insight you have. Thanks so much for the inspiration!
These are so nice. I love your simple ideas and tips about furniture. I think they are so valuable. I also would like to share a site that talks about furniture, you guys can get a lot of ideas from there too. Here it is: http://www.innovationliving.com.au/
I don't know if there's a more helpful post! I am so excited to get a piece of furniture and try this. I feel like I have so many more options now when it comes to furniture shopping! Yay! :)
Hi! This is really off topic but I’m looking for the name/artist/way to locate that piece of artwork with the black lines, in the brown frame. I really like it! Also, love your decorating style, so colorful :)
How did you get the yellow table look so glossy – did you apply a lacquer finish?
What a fantastic color makeover! That yellow really pops! Love :-)
How would you proceed to strip paints from a piece that’s a bit more ornate? I am about to start my first furniture makeover on a sideboard I found at a thrift store, and I’d love to get your expert advice!
Beautiful bright color! Thank you for this delightful post! : )
After reading this post people can judge that how can they make their house attractive. It is very beneficial for people. Keep giving updates so that people can get tips that how can they make some unique in their house.
Beautiful post; It’s really good. I also love the bright acid yellow color and all the things looking so beautiful. Appreciable work Keep share more and more post with us.
Thank you for this post! Was trying to find someone to hire to do this work for me, but now I feel confident in trying it myself. Question: Do you know if I can use the Citistrip on antique wood? I have 2 end tables I’d like to refinish. Thanks again for all the information and pictures!
You absolutely can! Citristrip is one of the more gentle formulas so I think that’s a great option for you!