Pine table restoration

[pleasingone]

Hi,

I picked up a solid nest of three pine tables in a charity shop for a bargain £20. Feeling inspired to have a go at restoring them, this is my first time.
I have sanded one of them down. The legs were more challenging and I have not been able to get all the varnish off.
Been reading various conflicting reports online about the best product to use in them in their raw state. I like the natural look wax will give but understand that this isn't very durable, but I not sure about oil or varnish. Some reports also say to resand in between applications.
Would also consider painting in a nice farrow & ball colour but understand this won't be very durable and may stain?

Any advise great fully received.
Thanks

[Headinthedrawer]

If you want to paint it just a couple of coats of primer and then a good quality eggshell will do it.I like fired earth as you can buy smaller tins online.You can get cheaper eggshell though.As you have taken the effort to sand it steer clear of chalk paint-you will get a nicer finish with primer and eggshell.A very small amount of clear briwax over the top will give an extra layer of protection.Ive not used wax onto unpainted wood-I like briwax though.Maybe Google it?

[Headinthedrawer]

Total bargain btw

[Headinthedrawer]

Meant to say with the eggshell...lots of very thin layers leaving to dry and then lightly sanding between coats.Not as much hassle as it sounds .

[Headinthedrawer]

Maybe something like this?

[pleasingone]

Headinthedraw
That is a lovely looking table! Not considered painted legs with wood top! So, you used an egg shell on the legs?

[pleasingone]

Just realised you may have found the photo as an example for me

[pleasingone]

Hi - one more question!

If I was to have a two tone table like this, would it be best to do the top first or the legs?

[Headinthedrawer]

Hi-sorry I disappeard on you!Not my table but have done similar with a chair a while back.I'd paint legs first and then wax the top in case I got wax on the bit I wanted to.paint.Tape off the bit you are leaving bare.

[Headinthedrawer]

And yes-sanded,primed and eggshell.afinished with a thin coat of clear briwax.You could just put on chalk paint but the effect is less polished .Google other methods though...there's lots of advice out there.

[gingerhousecat]

I have a table simialr to the pic headindrawer put on, I sanded, primed and satinwooded the legs and just varnished the top with a clear varnish. It's four and a half years later and now needs redoing but I have two young children and its been used for eating/painting....generally bashed about!
I wouldn't paint the tops after all the effort you've obviously gone to in sanding the first one down!

[dontcallmelen]

Yy pp, I always sand & wax the tops on wooden furniture & paint legs much easier than trying to sand fiddly bits, also would recommend primer/satinwood or eggshell & a light wax coat over painted areas as this, protects paint from chipping.