We then moved to another house, and I put a cream colored crackle finish over the green legs.  That worked for a bit except that I didn’t put a top seal over the crackle finish and it has been peeling off for the past 7 or so years.  The top, with it’s practically bare wood had not held up well to washing, and you could visibly see why I made a rule of no using permanent sharpie markers at the table.  The only hope to get those sharpie marks out is some serious sanding. 

I still like the stained top and painted legs look, but decided on a much sturdier finish on top. 

My husband was a little over zealous with the belt sander.  He tried to cover up some of his sander enthusiasm by making a black edge.  I’m not sure what I think about it, but I will live with it for a while, and if all else fails, it will become all black some day.  For now, it is better than it was before with its peeling paint. 

I had never sanded with power equipment, but my husband bought two new sanders for this project, and boy does power equipment make the job easier.  I don’t dread sanding as much as I used to.  The sanders that he got are a Ryobi belt sander and a Ryobi pad sander.

I’m linking to these blog parties, before and after party @ thrifty decor chick, whatever goes wednesday @ someday crafts,