Hello sweet friends, and welcome to Furniture Fixer Upper day where my friends and I share brand new furniture flips! Look for my friends’ makeovers at the bottom. My project is a White Magic Voodoo Gel Stain farmhouse table makeover I gave this yard sale find:
Doesn’t it have a farmhouse vibe? It was an amazing find for only $25!
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
Clean
The first step to any furniture makeover is a good cleaning, and this one got just that using White Lightning and a terrycloth applicator pad:
White Lightning comes in a powder form and you just mix one TBSP into a half gallon of warm water.
It’s a degreaser and a deglosser, so it will give your piece the best possible prep for paint. Gloves are recommended and then be sure to swap out your water for clean water and give it one more wipe down to remove any residue.
Remove the Stain
After I had already cleaned, I decided that I wanted to stain just the top of this table, and so I busted out my rotary sander and got to work sanding away the existing stain:
I started with 100 grit sandpaper first and followed that up with 220 grit to smooth.
I you choose to use an oil based stain, you do not have to remove the entire stain, but I am a big fan of the water based Voodoo Gel Stains and chose one of those for this makeover.
When I was done, I vacuumed away any sanding dust and gave it a wipe down with a clean cloth.
Paint
This table was in great condition, so there was no other fixing needed and I got straight to painting the base with Cotton.
However, I quickly realized that the stain beneath was unexpectedly bleeding through:
I didn’t imagine this piece would have issues with bleed through, but not to worry! There is a quick fix!
Boss to the rescue!
BOSS once again saved the day!
I let the Cotton that I had already painted dry, and then I went right over it with a coat of white BOSS:
I let that dry the rest of the day. Proper dry time is key to its success, and I try to allow at least 8-12 hours or overnight.
Stain
While I was waiting, I went ahead and stained the top. For this, I chose Voodoo Gel Stain in the color, White Magic:
Like I said, I’m a big fan of Voodoo gel stain. There are no harsh fumes and because it’s water based, it dries quickly and clean up is super easy!
But first, I like to use a wood conditioner on areas that I plan to stain. For this table, I used Varathane Pre Stain Water Based Wood Conditioner:
A wood conditioner gives you a better end result by hydrating the wood, so it will take the stain more evenly.
I followed up with stain right after applying it with an applicator pad:
I ended up giving this table top two coats.
Paint
Time for paint…my favorite!!
The legs and the sides got two coats of Cotton over the BOSS.
Sand
Be sure to sand your chalk painted surface for the smoothest result. You don’t have to distress, just knock it down a bit which will smooth it all out. These sanding sponges are ideal for that.
When I want more distressing, I use traditional 220 grit sandpaper which is more coarse, wrapped around an old sanding sponge…
Wipe away any sanding dust and we are ready to seal!
Seal
To seal this table, I used Clear Coat in Satin which I applied with a blue applicator sponge:
The Clear Coat is my go-to sealer for most furniture pieces. However, I may go back and add a coat of Gator Hide as this table may be used more often than normal due to its size and may need that extra protection.
The After
Here is how this table turned out!
Is it giving off those farmhouse vibes now?
I love the White Magic Voodoo gel stain and use it often.
I recently used it on this bench as well.
It has a soft, natural look that I love…
It may actually be a giant end table lol as it has a drawer on what is likely the actual front:
Here is a front view:
It would be great beside a tall bed.
I love the Silk colors for the interior of drawers since they are unfinished. Silk requires sanding first to prep on sealed surfaces to give it some grip but on raw wood, there is no sanding required!
Plus, Silk has a built-in topcoat!
This is Silk Tide Pool, a close match to Sea Glass from the chalk mineral paint line:
I added some Big Mama’s Butta in Orange Grove to the sides to make them shine and to help the drawer slide nicely:
I just couldn’t paint over that unique joint detail:
Be sure to always tape off your drawers so you get nice, finished edges.
It may have intended to be a giant side table, but I love it like this!
And I didn’t go too crazy with the distressing…just enough!
And that is another Furniture Makeover complete!
Don’t forget to check out what my Furniture Fixer Upper ladies are sharing today!
It’s always a treat to cross one more off the list!
Visit the completed makeovers so far at the links below:
Painting the Smalls #22 (Six mini makeovers!)
Easily Paint a Silver Tray
Upcycled Sewing Machine Drawers
$5 Yard Sale Stool Makeover
$6 Mini Wall Cabinet Makeover
$4 Jewelry Box Makeover
Vintage Sewing Storage Table
Wooden Horse Redo TAKE TWO!
White Painted Drop Leaf Table
Unfinished Wooden Horse Makeover
Updated Candlesticks
Voodoo Stain and Stencil Bench Makeover
Drawer Organizer Makeover
I’ll be back on Tuesday with this tea box:
Have a wonderful weekend!
UPDATE: I promise you will NOT recognize this box now!! See it HERE!
XOXO,
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Mary Kaiser says
I love how that turned out! So pretty! Even the drawer insides are beautiful! That is a cool table for $25.00. I love the look of the voodoo stain on the top! I have never tried it, but will have to look for something to use it on!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! Wasn’t that a fabulous find for that price? The Voodoo stain makes staining so easy! Have a wonderful weekend! XOXO
Michele M. says
I absolutely ADORE that table makeover – what a great size! That would be so perfect in my sister’s lake house. You did a great job and that VooDoo stain is soooooo cool – a perfect beachy vibe.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Michele! It would be ideal in a lake house with its cool coastal vibe for sure! XOXO
Janette Deans says
I love this, the white stain is just gorgeous. I would snatch this up if I were near to your shop. xx
Christy says
Thank you, Janette! I wish you were closer lol! XOOX
Nana Diana says
Love it! The rosette knob makes it! Very sweet and a simple look that fits the piece. xo Diana
Christy says
Thank you, Diana! That knob was original to the table and worked out so nicely! XOXO
Cyndi says
Beautiful job. I love the white-washed look of the top. I think it adds a lot of interest. (And I’m glad you didn’t paint over those pretty drawer joints!)
Christy says
Thank you, Cyndi! I love the craftsmanship of those joints! XOOX
Niki says
I like this one a lot. A soft coastal vibe is always a winner with me! The aqua blue in the drawer and on the knob is a fun surprise. Also the size of this table is interesting as well.
P.S. sorry about the fiasco on Tuesday. 🤷♀️ I don’t even understand what happened there.
Christy says
Thanks, Niki! And ha ha no worries at all…I ended up going over to visit Larissa’s post and that jumper was so cute! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
I think it’s a deep side table, but it might make a nice console against the wall in an entry, too. Either way, it’s lovely now, Christy. It had a nice shape but no real personality. Now it’s calling out for a new home!
Christy says
I think you’re right, but it does make a great console table! Thanks, Marcie! XOXO
Caye Cooper says
Wow! You got a great deal with that table. Just love how it turned out.
I’ve been using sandpaper for years and am a bit confused by your term, “traditional” sandpaper. Could you explain please?
Have a great weekend.
Christy says
Thanks so much, Caye! I was referring to regular sandpaper that you buy in sheets at the hardware store verses the sanding sponges I sell in my shop. Those sponges are very fine and do really well at smoothing out the paint on chalk painted pieces, but traditional sandpaper that I buy in sheets has a tougher grit and distresses pieces more easily. I hope that makes sense! XOXO
Lizzy says
It’s beautiful. I love everything about it!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Lizzy! XOXO
Denise Zdziennicki says
Adorable table makeover and I love the Voodoo Stained top! Nice clean and modern look! XOXO
Christy says
Thanks so much, my friend! XOXO
Kathy Owen says
Simply gorgeous Christy! I tried Boss for the first time this week and I’m a fan. Kathy
Christy says
Thank you, Kathy! BOSS is amazing! I haven’t had to use stinky shellac since I found it. XOXO
Cecilia from Georgia says
Love the soft look of the Voo Doo gel stain! I haven’t been painting much since it is so hot down here in SW Georgia! Looking forward to cooler weather! Great job!
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! It has been a hot one indeed and I know if it is hot and humid here, it is even moreso there! Stay cool! XOXO
Cindy says
I love the washed look but I always worry about bleeding. Why were you not worried about bleeding through your stained part of table?
Christy says
I have never had trouble with bleeding through stain for some reason. I don’t know what it is about the stain that reacts differently than the paint, but I’ve had no issues. We even stained my sister’s mahogany table that you can see here and it has done beautifully: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/how-to-stain-furniture-white/ Wish I had a more concrete reason why that is, but I hope that helps! XOXO
Petra says
I adore this little table and the pretty drawer. I tried the White Magic on a pine table top of my own but it just seemed to “dry” on the pine as I was putting it on, so didn’t spread at all. Maybe the timber was too dry. Anyway, just love little table make-overs and this one is delightful 🙂
Christy says
Thank you, Petra! Using a wood conditioner first helps so the wood won’t suck the stain up too quickly. Also, you can try applying it with wrung out damp sponge, and one more tip…apply the stain to your applicator and apply it rather than directly to the table. You may need to use more stain than usual as well. A few tips that may help next time! XOXO
Marie Wallner says
Christy, first let me say this farmhouse table was beautiful. I’m new at this DIY with furniture. Can I ask you, how to refinish a coffe table that has a few cigarette burns. Iam not sure where to start or if I can even attempt this without your help. Thanks again. Marie
Christy says
Thank you so much, Marie! Cigarette burns are tough because they can go pretty deep, but I would just start sanding and see what happens. Even if you can’t remove them completely, you’ll probably be able to at least smooth them out pretty well and once you stain, they may not be noticeable depending on the color you choose. Good luck!
Bonnie Hipps says
I love tables like this. They can be used for so many different places. I have a big drop leaf table about that size and I love it..
Another A+ my friend Hugs!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Bonnie! Yes…this size is so versatile too! XOXO
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
This turned out to be such a sweet farmhouse table, Christy! xo
Christy says
Thanks so much, Jen! XOXO