Here’s How To Paint A Chess Board On A Table

Even though chess tables may be easily found in any gift or game shop, or for that matter, even in some parks, there are players who prefer making their own. Besides, some pieces of furniture, especially old tables, can even be turned into chess boards for decorative purposes.

If you have an old wooden table that is lacking a certain something, turning it into a chess board may be one of the best and most practical things you can do.

How To Paint A Chess Board On A Table

1. Prepare the surface.

The first thing you want to do is smooth the surface with a low grit sandpaper. Begin smoothing with a coarser piece of sandpaper and perform the finishing touches with a finer one.

Once the surface is properly flat and smooth to the touch, use a damp piece of cloth to wipe away the remains of sawdust.

2. Draw the squares.

Next, measure a square in the exact center of the surface with a 20-inch side. Using a ruler, rather than a measuring tape, might make it easier to draw the square.

Before getting to the part in which you paint the squares, make sure there is a half-inch space around the whole perimeter of the square. Also, if you’re crafting your chess board from a table, don’t forget to cover the legs with newspaper or masking tape before you start painting.

The next step should be to cover the whole board with masking tape and then proceed to mark the 8 squares down and the 8 squares across. Each square side should measure 2.5 inches.

3. Do a little cut-out.

Next, cut out the alternating squares (cut one, leave one), starting with the corner ones. Any pointy knife or blade should do the trick. Just remember to be careful not to ruin the smooth and even surface.

Now, spray the whole board once and let it rest for a while, then spray a second time for a solid finish. Make sure to do so in a ventilated area as the paint components are normally toxic to the organism. Once the paint is dry to the touch, proceed to the last step.

4. The finishing touch.

The last thing to do is to carefully remove the masking tape. After the whole tape is taken off, apply wood varnish to the surface using a sponge brush to seal the paint.

This will not only prevent the paint from dying out but also give a nice finishing touch to the board. Remember to let the board dry for at least a day before you start using it for your games.

Want a more rustic look?

If you would like to give your chess board a more rustic look, a good idea may be to stamp the squares out of rubber. The varnish gives it a nice classic look and helps the board last longer, but nothing will be as long-lasting as a rubber surface.

This is how you can easily turn your old piece of furniture into a practical chessboard. Now you can invite your family and friends for a nice match!