Go with the flow with this easy paint pour coffee table

18 Nov 2020

Create a rainbow marble effect by pouring layers of Resene paint onto the surface of a coffee table. It’s hard to predict the colourful end result of this freestyle project, but that’s part of the fun.

You will need

• Coffee table
• Medium and fine grit sandpaper
• Resene Quick Dry
• Base paint in the colour of your choice, Fleur used Resene Lustacryl Black
• Drop cloth
• Cardboard/newspaper (to catch dripping paint)
• Spoon (optional)
• Resene testpots in your choice of colour, Fleur used Resene Madison, Resene Captain Cook, Resene Java, Resene Retro, Resene Plum, Resene Alert Tan, Resene Pirate Gold, Resene Scrumptious, Resene Princess

Step 1 Sand down the coffee table to remove any bumps, flaky paint or varnish. Wipe the dust away with a soft dry cloth.

Step 2 Prime the table with Resene Quick Dry. Once this is dry, give it a light sand with a fine grit sandpaper. Wipe the table down again with a soft, dry cloth to remove any dust.

Step 3  Paint the table with Resene Black. Apply two coats of paint. Allow the first coat to dry before adding the second coat.

Step 4  Flip the table upside down and drill a screw into the bottom of each table leg. This will raise the table off the ground which will prevent it from standing in a puddle of paint. Try to get the screws drilled in the same height so that the table is level when upright.

Flip the table back over and put cardboard or newspaper under it to catch the majority of the paint. If you have a paddling pool in the right size this can be placed underneath to capture the paint as well.

Step 5 Pour on the first layer of paint. Fleur used Resene Madison.

Step 6 Tilt the table to help the paint run to the edges, or alternatively use the back of a spoon to push it around. 

Step 7 Pour on your next lot of paint. Fleur used Resene Retro, Resene Plum and Resene Captain Cook.

Step 8 Keep applying small amounts of paint colours, either by pouring them on or spooning them on.

Top tip Apply the paint carefully, slowly, in small quantities at a time. Every time you add paint, it pushes aside the paint already on the table. As the paint settles and dries, it merges and morphs into different shapes and patterns.

Step 9 Depending on how level your table is, a lot of the paint will drip off the table and the pattern will keep changing. 

 Once the paint has started to dry, leave it alone and resist the urge to add more paint. The paint on the surface dries first and any movement will crinkle the paint. Leave the table to dry for three or four days. 

This colourful table will transform an entranceway or hallway. The wall is painted in Resene Dark Knight and the skirting board is Resene Half Rice Cake.

 images and project by Fleur Thorpe

Published: 18 Nov 2020