DIY Bleached Kitchen Table

Jumping up and down because we finally bought a house! Once the excitement sets in, I then realize I have to furnish the entire house.

If you're like me, you hate spending a ton of money on pieces that 1.) seem cheaply made and 2.) aren't 100% your style.

Friends, facebook marketplace is a beautiful thing. I found this kitchen table for $50! I originally wasn't going to do anything to it. I didn't love it, but thought it was fine the way it was. However, my lovely partner decided to place our house plant on there for a few weeks and I didn't realize it was leaking on table! The used his mistake as an excuse to try the bleaching process that I've always wanted to try.. let's get started!

Here are the tools you will need. (Disclaimer: these links are affiliate links and I will earn a small commission if you use them. THANK YOU for your support.)

Paint Stripper: https://amzn.to/3yuWQhY

Metal Scraper: https://amzn.to/4dgbTLG

Sander: https://amzn.to/4deQpPc

Sandpaper: https://amzn.to/3yqJMdD

Vinegar: https://amzn.to/3SECauJ

Water

Wood Bleach: https://amzn.to/4dyYn5o

Latex Gloves: https://amzn.to/46AuO1i

Respirator: https://amzn.to/46ERm0H

Microfiber Towel: https://amzn.to/3WEEKlE

Polyurethane: https://amzn.to/3WV26Fg

1.) Generously wipe on the stripper. Make sure you get the hard to reach areas very well. I just used an old chip paint brush.

Leave the stripper on overnight! Whenever I do projects, I always feel like I am in a hurry and want to rush every process to see the end result. Great things come with time (and a lot of patience!!). My stripper probably sat on the wood for 12 hours.

Just strip and walk away girlfriend.

2.) Here comes the most satisfying part.. use your metal scraper to scrape off the finish.

 

3.) It's really hard to scrape off the curves and hard to reach areas. This is where you will mix your water and vinegar together. I did a 1:1 ratio (this is not rocket science, just guesstimate.) 

Mix your vinegar and water and wipe your entire piece. Yes, even the stuff you scraped off already. Clean that puppy up!!

4.) Wait. Wait till she dries. Again, great things take time. Walk away and let her completely dry. I waited an entire day, but if you set your piece outside you may not have to wait as long.

5.) Sand! I'm not going to lie to you, this part is not fun. The stripper took the finish off, so this sanding job will not be satisfying. That's ok, it's worth it!!

6.) Take your Microfiber towel and thoroughly wipe down your piece so that there is no trace of dust.

7.) The moment we've all been waiting for.. BLEACHING TIME!!

I'm a firm believer in trying not to hurt yourself in the process of making something beautiful.. so wear your PPE! Put your gloves and respirator on, your body can thank me later.

Pour Part A into a plastic cup. Take an old rag (I just used those blue throw away shop towels), and start wiping your entire piece in this solution. Make sure you get every nook and cranky!

Wait 5 minutes for softer woods, and 10 minutes for harder woods.

Pour Part B into a plastic cup. Take a different old rag and thoroughly wipe down the entire piece.

WAIT 24 HOURS! It's amazing how much it will change. Make sure you wait 24 hours, it will still be changing.

I ended up doing this process a second time after I waited the first 24 hours.

Before:

After the first 24 hrs:

Second round after 24 hours:

8.) Seal your piece. I ended up going with the matte polyurethane, and I'm OBSESSED.