Time
Weekend
Cost
Low
Difficulty
Intermediate
  1. 1

    Begin by cleaning your picnic table with soapy water to remove dirt and grime. Sand the table to make sure the surface is splinter-free and then rinse after sanding. Allow surface to dry before painting.

    For best painting results, refrain from painting when the temperature drops below 50 degrees. Also, painting in direct sunlight can cause paint to dry too quickly and can cause lap marks and blistering. Shade is best for outdoor painting projects.

  2. 2

    After the table dries, begin priming the tricky areas of the table with a small angle brush.

  3. 3

    Once the primer is dry, apply the first coat of paint. Allow the paint to dry for 4 hours before applying the second coat.

    While you are waiting to apply your second coat, keep your brushes from drying out by wrapping them in plastic or foil.

  4. 4

    Be sure to read the label on your paint can to see dry time. Let your picnic table completely dry before touching.

  5. 5

    Clean up: Always clean your brushes for future use. Learn how to properly store and dispose of paint here.

Project Overview

Outdoor entertaining is always more enjoyable with a pop of color. Painting your picnic table is an easy solution.

Supplies For This Project

Colors We Used