Hey there, I've just completed another rewarding DIY project: giving our dining table a sleek concrete-look finish. I'll walk you through my process, from the before to the stunning after. I'm thrilled with the results—let me know what you think!
Table of contents
For months, I'd been itching to refresh our dining table. We'd loved it for years, but it was starting to feel dated. A few years back, I painted it from a busy gray-white to crisp white (see below). But peeling paint and grime in the beam grooves were frustrating me.
Time for a change, but I adore the sturdy base, so a concrete-look top seemed perfect. Last year, I successfully applied concrete cire to our new home's windowsills and love it still. So, DIY concrete-look dining table it was—exciting challenge ahead!
To apply concrete cire, prep work was key. I fully sanded the table, then filled grooves and damage with 2-component wood glue. After consulting Patrick at Smart Deco (my go-to for beton cire), he suggested an MDF overlay to skip filling grooves. But I stuck to my plan—no added height, as the table's already tall.
For the windowsills, I mixed Smart Deco's original concrete cire myself. This time, I chose their Easy Line: pre-mixed and ready-to-use for instant results.
Prime first to minimize substrate absorption—crucial step.
Post-priming, I prepped two buckets: Easy Line Raw and Easy Line Fine. Apply Raw first, dry, then Fine.
You could do Fine same-day after Raw dries, but I waited overnight for full dryness. Winter days are short and dim here; natural light is essential for precision.
My husband Frank handles demos, electrics, garden, and rough builds. Finishing like painting or concrete cire? That's my expertise. Perfect teamwork!
Ready to try? Visit Smart Deco for concrete cire.
Applying Easy Line concrete cire is straightforward—I've honed my skills on the windowsills. Bigger surface, yes, but no issues with bubbles if you work smoothly. I coated sides too. For corners, use an external trowel or blend with a flexible one—my preferred method. It doesn't need to be flawless, just stable for glasses.
PU sealers are trickiest: right amount, wet-in-wet with a fleece roller, no puddles.
Following Smart Deco's guidelines precisely, the finish is impeccably smooth. Easy Line Fine glides on beautifully, revealing subtle texture. Less customizable than mix-your-own, but user-friendly.
See the photo: flawlessly tight. Now, it's effortlessly cleanable with a damp cloth—no more groove grime. The wooden base contrasts gorgeously with the modern top. Thrilled! Next up: flooring for full modern vibe.
If you're handy with home projects and updates, this is achievable. Two left hands? Maybe hire out. But for DIYers, it's transformative.
