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YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
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  1. Home
  2. Better Life

Kmart hack: How to transform a table with resin paint

It's easier than it looks! - by Olivia Hart
  • 02 Dec 2020
Kmart hack: How to transform a table with resin paint

When Queenslander Anita Bray stumbled across an artist's resin table creations, she decided to take up the hobby herself.

After a few small projects she was ready for something bigger and picked up a $19 Kmart side table to decorate. She went for a tropical design and painted crashing ocean waves across the timber 'sand' – with stunning results. 

Better Homes and Gardens Online caught up with Anita to find out how she did it. 

waves table

A glossy tropical transformation

What inspired your project?

I was inspired by an artist in America who made resin coffee tables. I had planned to start this hobby for a while but it wasn't until June this year that I purchased resin and some pigments.  

Have you made many things before? 

I’ve made a few resin pieces before trying the side table. I started with placemats from the craft section in Bunnings, then tried coasters, clocks, fridge magnets and chess pieces.  

painted white

Primer and first coat applied

What was the biggest challenge? 

Achieving realistic waves was the hardest part. I have watched many YouTube videos and asked lots of questions in the resin groups on Facebook to learn the secret. The consensus is to practice with thickness of the pigment paste. 

painted blue

The colours have been mixed and applied

The process

1. Mark out in pencil on the side table where you want the resin to go.

2. Tape the underside of the table using painter's tape to prevent resin drips under the table.  

3. Place a drop sheet under the table and on the floor. 

4. Prime the board with 3 in 1 primer to seal the table. 

5. Using similar acrylic paint colours to the resin, paint on top of the dry primer to assist when pouring the resin onto the table.

6. While the paint is drying, set up the workspace. Place a piece of cardboard down, then the silicone mat down, followed by a raised item (e.g. ice cream container, plastic cup) to ensure when the resin drips over the side it doesn’t stick to the cardboard.  

7. Once the paint is dry, place the side table on top of the raised item ready for the resin to be poured.  

8. Use a leveller to ensure the table is sitting flat.

9. Put PPE on. 

10. Pour even amounts of part A and part B of the resin into a cup and mix thoroughly.  

11. Pour the mixed resin into 4 separate cups and add the pigment powder (turquoise, electric blue, and sky blue) and pigment paste (Iceland white) into the cups. 

12. Pour where you want the colours to go, using the paddle pop stick to help move the resin around.

13. Then use the heat gun to raise any bubbles to the surface and to move/blend the resin around the table. 

14. Wait about 10 mins before pouring the white onto the table.  

15. Pour the white where you want the wave to go and use the heat gun to move the wave where you want it.

16. Use the butane torch to help create the cells and pop any bubbles which have surfaced.

17. After about 8 hours, the resin is touch dry. 

18. Repeat above until all the coloured layers are completed. 

19. The final coat is clear resin over the top to ensure the table is even and flat. It takes about 7 days to be fully cured.  

oceans

A close-up of the life-like waves

How much did you spend? 

Because I previously owned a lot of the materials, it spent around $92. 

Budget breakdown

Resin - $120 for 2L (though only use 3 layers)

Pigment paste Iceland white - $38.95 per 50g 

Table - Kmart $19  

PPE (gloves, organic-filter respirator, goggles) - $70 total

Respirator – The product is no longer available on Bunnings Website. It was called “Respirator Kit UniSafe Respiratory Kit Ag/Garden/Chemical RP463”.

Googles - Bunnings $13.95 

Primer - Bunnings $64.50 total

Heat gun - Bunnings $49.98 

Butane torch - Bunnings $31.95

Misc (cups, paddle pop sticks, drop sheet, paint brush) – various shops 

Acrylic paint - Bunnings $2 - $3 

Silicone pet mat - Kmart $10

Greenhouse (store the project in a dust free environment) - Bunnings $39.98

Painter's Scotch tape - Bunnings $8.96 

complete look

The final look!

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  • DIY
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  • Better Life
  • Living Room Ideas
  • Lounge Room Ideas
Olivia Hart

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YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

This mum’s Christmas Kmart hack is next level

This mum’s Christmas Kmart hack is next level

Everyone is making this $3 pool noodle hack for Christmas

Everyone is making this $3 pool noodle hack for Christmas

 This is the $10 portable fan you can wear this summer

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{headline}

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Kmart has released a handbag with a secret built-in wine dispenser

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Reader project: A gorgeous succulent garden in a $7.50 Kmart tray

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{headline}

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See why this Kmart clock hack went viral

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This ultra-chic Kmart hack will add instant style to your home

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Our 15 best-ever Kmart hacks

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2-ingredient ‘Snow Cakes’ - the new Kmart Pie Maker baking trend you need to know about!

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The $12 Kmart hack that keeps your car spotless

The new $3 Kmart hack that will revolutionise your home

The new $3 Kmart hack that will revolutionise your home

Kmart Pie Maker fans are now making VANILLA SLICE pies in the $29 gadget

Kmart Pie Maker fans are now making VANILLA SLICE pies in the $29 gadget

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