Furniture Refinishing · May 2025
Dining table, chairs and sideboard refinished
Dining table, chairs and sideboard refinished. These are before, in-progress and after photos from the job, taken May 2025. This furniture refinishing project was done by Larry Gaytos and the My Personal Painter crew. We are based in Florence, Kentucky, and our work is covered by a 2-year touch-up warranty.
Before and After Photos
Cherry Dining Set Refinished With Black Chairs, Black Sideboard and a Light Plank Tabletop
This dining set started as reddish brown cherry, with a satin finish that showed scratches and wear on the plank tabletop. The ladder-back chairs came into the shop with their seats removed. In progress, the sideboard sits on buckets in the spray booth with its door panels masked and a gray primer coat on the frame and shelves. The tabletop is half sanded, so you can see the dark old finish next to bare, pale wood. The chairs were sprayed a flat black. In the finished photos, the chairs are a soft black with their cream woven seats back in place. The sideboard is now black with white ceramic knobs and a light, washed gray plank top that matches the table. The tabletop has a pale gray, wood-grain finish with the plank grooves still crisp, set on its black scrolled metal base over a patterned rug.
Our Furniture Refinishing Process for This Dining Set
- We took the chair seats off and brought the chairs, sideboard and table leaves to our shop, where we can control dust and spray in a booth.
- We cleaned every piece to remove oils and polish, then scuff sanded the chair frames and sideboard so the primer could grip the old cherry finish.
- We masked the sideboard door panels and top with paper and tape, set it up on buckets, and sprayed a bonding primer on the frame, shelves and legs.
- We sanded the tabletop and leaves down to bare wood with an orbital sander, working with the grain and cleaning out each plank groove by hand.
- We applied a light gray wash finish to the table and sideboard tops so the wood grain shows through, then sealed them with a clear protective topcoat.
- We sprayed the chairs and sideboard body black in thin, even coats, sanding lightly between coats so the surface stays smooth to the touch.
- After the finish cured, we reattached the seats and hardware, delivered the pieces, and set the table, chairs and sideboard in the dining room.
Paint Colors Similar to These Black Dining Chairs and Sideboard
If you like this black and light gray dining set, these are similar colors to consider. They are not the exact colors used on this furniture.
Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black SW 6258
A true, clean black close to these chair frames and the sideboard body. It looks sharp next to cream upholstery and white knobs.
Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron 2124-10
A soft black with a slight gray cast. It is a gentler choice for chairs and sideboards that you want dark but not stark.
Sherwin-Williams Crushed Ice SW 7647
A light, cool gray that echoes the washed tabletop. It could tie in walls or a painted hutch near a light gray table finish.
Questions About Refinishing a Dining Table and Chairs
Can you paint chairs and keep the tabletop as wood?
Yes. A mix like this is common. Painted chairs and a sideboard hold up well, while a sanded and sealed wood top shows the grain. The top needs a durable clear coat because plates, spills and elbows wear it most. Many families pick a painted base and a stained or washed top for that reason.
Why is furniture refinished in a shop instead of at home?
A shop allows a spray booth, good lighting, drying racks and dust control. Spraying gives a smoother finish on chair spindles and corners than brushing. It also keeps sanding dust and fumes out of your home. Pieces can dry flat and undisturbed, which helps the final coat cure evenly.
How long before I can use refinished furniture?
Most finishes feel dry within a day, but full cure can take a few days to a few weeks. During that time, use coasters, avoid heavy objects sliding across the top, and do not cover the table with a cloth or plastic. Gentle cleaning with a soft damp cloth is best for the first weeks.
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