Protecting a painted surface General decorating topics, questions and answers. find help, tips and advice on completing your decorating projects

[Jenn King]

I bought a painted wooded bedside table and the top is now covered in ring marks and other marks so that I need to recover it somehow. If I repaint it what is the best way of subsequently protecting the surface?

[theshedman]

Hi Jenn, your best bet would be to prepare it well to get rid of the marks that are already there, then undercoat and gloss. You could also put on a coat of clear varnish to help protect it after the paint has dried thoroughly. It sounds like there are drinks being put on which are causing the rings so the best thing to do would be to put coasters on it to stop it from happening in the first place or don't put drinks on it so you keep a nice finish.

[Jenn King]

Thanks for your advice - The coat of clear varnish does sound a good idea.
The surface was marked by just having a lamp on it too so I don't think it was a good finish to start with.