How to Personalize a Picnic Table

Picnic tables are relatively inexpensive if you can find the bare lumber set at your local supply store. Once you have the basic table setup it is easy to personalize it for your family. Personalizing your picnic table can provide entertainment for adults and children alike and can create memories that will last a lifetime!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Picnic Table Set
• Sandpaper
• Electric Sander (optional)
• Lacquer
• Acrylic Paints
• Stencils or Stamps
• Modge Podge
• Pictures

1. PURCHASE AND CONSTRUCT YOUR TABLE
   
   The easiest start to personalizing your picnic table is to purchase a picnic table at your local home supply store or build one from scratch that does not already have a finish on it. Having the wood in it's raw form will give you a good base for starting your personalization. Buy your picnic table and construct it according to the directions.

2. SAND THE SURFACE
   
   Sand the rough surfaces of the table, this includes the tabletop, benches, underside of the table, and legs. If the edges of the table and benches are too sharp for your tastes be sure to round those as well using your electric sander.

3. APPLY LACQUER
   
   Using a brush, apply two coats of a quality lacquer to your picnic table. Let each coat dry completely before applying the next.

4. SAND THE LACQUERED FINISH
   
   Once both coats of lacquer have dried completely, lightly sand the surfaces. This will soften any grain that has been raised and will also provide a rough surface to which the acrylic paint and modge podge glue can adhere.

5. DESIGN YOUR TABLE DECOR
   
   Some ideas for decorating your tabletop include writing names of family members, stenciling scripture quotes, or painting floral patterns. Pictures can also be used in your decor.

6. STENCIL WORDS OR DESIGNS
   
   Use your stencils or freehand your words or designs of choice with acrylic paints.

7. APPLY PICTURES
   
   Take the pictures you've chosen and glue them in place using modge-podge glue. This glue can be found at your local craft store. Apply a thin layer under your pictures then paint over the entire picture making sure to overlap the edges with glue. Good quality photocopies of pictures will work best instead of photo paper.

8. APPLY FINISH LAYER OF LACQUER
   
   Once you've completed your design and applied your pictures, allow everything to dry completely. After your table designs are dry, apply one last coat of lacquer to your tabletop. Once dry, your personalized picnic table will be ready for many meals of fun!

Tips & Warnings

• If needed, additional finishing coats of lacquer may be applied.
• Always follow the directions stated on any product used.