Upcycled Rust Effect Scalloped Coffee Table
Transform a secondhand coffee table using Dulux Duramax® spray paint!
Pop into any recycle centre and you’re bound to come across an abundance of square and rectangular shaped coffee tables. They’re a dime a dozen and let’s be honest, not the most visually exciting. But what I see is lots of potential to get creative and transform one of these blah coffee tables I found at my local tip shop into something beautiful.
If you’ve been following along for a while you’ll know I love using unexpected materials and when I recently bought some coasters for home, I realised that they would make the perfect scallop shape therefore eliminating the need to use a jigsaw and MDF to make the same shape (which is exactly what I did for my Upcycled Scalloped Bar Stool project). So, I was excited to test my idea and see if I could use some of these coasters to create a scalloped edge around the edge of the secondhand coffee table I had bought.
Speaking of using unexpected materials, have you seen the Dulux Duramax® High Performance spray paint range? It’s amazing! There are so many beautiful and unique effects in the range (have you seen my DIY Marble Effect Plinth?) and what I love most about the range is that it’s designed for DIYers, renovators and makers alike. It’s quick, easy to use and dries within an hour making it perfect for weekend jobs. I’ve been waiting for the perfect project to try the Dulux Duramax® Rust Effect Spray Paint. And I knew this Upcycled Scalloped Coffee Table project was it! Read on to find out how it all came together.
And make sure to watch this step by step video to see how it came together.
Before & After
Project Details
♻️ Upcycling: Rust Effect Scalloped Coffee Table
🕒 Project Time Estimate: 2 hours plus glue and paint drying time
💰 Materials Cost: $80
Materials
Square or rectangle coffee table
Round coasters
Square timber moulding
Construction adhesive (fast grab, quick drying)
Dulux 1Step Prep Water Based Primer, Sealer & Undercoat (500ml is plenty)
Dulux Duramax® Rust Effect spray paint cans
Tools
Orbital sander
Pen
Ruler
Craft knife
Cutting mat (I used a thick piece of cork I had at home)
Hand saw
Caulking gun
Paint brush
How To
Step 1: The first step was to give the coffee table a light sand using my orbital sander to lift the existing stain off slightly. For projects like this, you don’t need to completely remove any existing stain or paint but you do need to remove enough so the paint is able to adhere to the surface.
Step 2: Following this I applied one coat of Dulux 1Step Prep Water Based Primer, Sealer & Undercoat all over the coffee table using a paint roller from the Dulux Accessories range. I love using this primer across all my interior and exterior projects - it’s really good! Then I set the table aside to let the paint dry.
Step 3: I cut the coasters in half using a ruler, pen and craft knife. I don’t own a cutting mat so I used a thick piece of floor cork I had in my studio and it worked really well. I found it was best to score the MDF side of the coaster several times before slightly bending it, then cutting the other side and pulling the two pieces apart. Then I neatened up the edges to ensure a smooth/straight edge. I repeated this step until I had enough scallops to go around the edge of the coffee table.
Step 4: Using the handsaw I cut thin pieces of square moulding, which I glued to the underside of the coffee table to create a frame. Then I glued the scallops directly onto the frame using a fast grab, quick drying construction adhesive. The measurements of the table were 640mm x 640mm however the coasters were 100mm. At first I was disappointed the sides weren’t 600mm to create a neat row of scallops, but decided to lean into this instead and “wrap” the scallops around the corners. And I love this organic continuous look!
Step 5: After letting the glue settle and cure for an hour, I used a small paint brush and applied a coat of Dulux 1Step Prep over the scallops. The line between the coffee table and the scallops initially bothered me but again, I decided to lean into this as there were a few other lines on the table anyway and it added to the look in the end. I set the table aside to let the paint dry for about 30 minutes.
Step 6: The last step was applying the Dulux Duramax® Rust Effect spray paint all over the coffee table. I shook the can for at least 3 minutes, swapping hands as it’s quite the workout. However, if you properly shake the can you’ll get the best results. Holding the can upright 15 to 25cm from the surface, I sprayed the coffee table using smooth, even strokes parallel to the surface. From experience, I’ve learned to apply several light mist coats rather than one heavy coat. No matter how tempting it is, take your time by applying lots of fine coats. Trust me. And I allowed at least wo minutes drying time between each coat. And that’s it!
Extra Tips:
Make sure to shake the can for at least 3 minutes.
Before commencing a painting project, test spray on an inconspicuous area.
Prevent blocking by turning the can upside down and spraying until clear gas emerges.
Wipe the front of the nozzle clean regularly.
Clean up any overspray while it is still wet with mineral turps.
When disposing, spray unwanted paint onto newspaper, allowing it to dry.
It’s ready to use in 1 hour and touch dry in less than 20 minutes (under normal temperature conditions).
Ta daaaa! My Upcycled Rust Effect Scalloped Coffee Table.
Isn’t she beautiful? When I look at the Before & After photos, I can’t help but feel super proud I managed to transform a dull secondhand square coffee table into this gorgeous rust effect scalloped coffee table. I am so happy the scallops worked so well that I will without a doubt, use this hack again. But let’s take a moment to look at the beautiful Dulux Duramax® Rust Effect finish; the colour is warm and cosy, it shimmers and it’s slightly textural to touch, which all adds to the overall rust effect finish. I am obsessed and I hope this project has inspired you to try the Dulux Duramax® High Performance range for your next upcycling project. To view the Dulux Duramax® High Performance range, click here.
This project was in collaboration with Dulux and you can purchase the range from Bunnings, Inspirations Paint and Mitre 10 in Australia.
