We found a vintage timber desk on Marketplace, and although the turquoise colour was distracting, we knew that all it needed was a little love to live up to its potential. With the right tools and a bit of elbow grease, here’s how we transformed this timber desk into a stylish, functional piece that fits perfectly into our space.
Step 1:
We began by removing the handle from the singular drawer. We weren’t replacing this, so we needed to keep it somewhere we could find it again.
Step 2:
Using a wire brush, we next thoroughly scrubbed the desk to remove built-up dirt, grime and any loose paint to help prep the surface for stripping and sanding.
Step 3:
With Selleys Kwik Strip, we applied a thick, even coat, at least 1mm thickness, with a paint brush to all surfaces of the timber desk and allowed it to sit for 15 minutes.
Step 4:
After 15 minutes, the paint completely blistered. Using a scraper, we removed the turquoise paint from the timber desk. A repeat application may be required, depending on the number of oil paint layers present.
Step 5:
Once the bulk of the paint was removed, we sanded the desk to smooth out the surface and remove any remaining residue. This step is key to getting a clean, even finish.
Step 6:
For hard-to-reach areas (such as the grooves in the desk’s legs), we used a pressure washer to remove the remaining paint. Allow the desk to dry completely before moving on.
Step 7:
We then masked the legs with masking tape and applied 1 coat of Dulux 1Step Prep primer to the legs of the desk.
Step 8:
Once the primer was dry, we applied 2 coats of Dulux Clear Concrete to the legs of the desk, allowing our first coat to dry before moving on to the second.
Step 9:
To enhance the natural timber of this desk, we used Porter’s Paints Beeswax on the remaining timber surfaces. We used a cloth to apply an even coat to the top, sides and desk drawer.
Step 10:
Finally, we cleaned and reattached the desk’s handle to the drawer before moving the desk into its new home in the freshly painted guest room.
Whether it’s for a home office, study nook or creative corner, this DIY project is a great way to give old furniture a fresh start, particularly if you want the timber to shine with the Porter’s Paints Beeswax.
Visit your local Inspirations Paint store for everything you need and nothing you don’t for your next paint project.
Looking for more upcycle inspiration? Check out how we upcycled this op shop dollhouse or learn how to personalise and old Esky with paint.