Do you remember my free coffee table? I painted it earlier in the month using my Homeright Spray Shelter. Today, I’m going to show you how I did an easy image transfer on the coffee table using 1Gel from Heirloom Traditions Paint.
I used Moody from Heirloom Traditions Chalk Type paint. (Use the code MYREPURPOSEDLIFE at checkout to save 10% on your purchase. I make a small commission and you save a little money.) My HomeRight Finish Max
This is how it looked when I finished painting it. I love the color!
The weather turned hot, so I decided to bring the table indoors to work on it. I used the 1Gel to do a topcoat all over the coffee table with a chip brush. After that coat dried, I did a second coat. Using the 1Gel is a lot easier than waxing and buffing!
I got this Strausburg Ready Made Clothing image from the Graphics Fairy. I printed it at home using the poster function on my printer, then took the four sheets of paper to Staples to get laser copies. I cut them out and taped them together using only a few pieces of tape on the white side of the paper. Make sure you get your image flipped, or do the mirrored image.
This is the most important part, apply your 1Gel to the printed side of the paper, trying to be careful not to get any on the white side of the paper. The goal is to remove the paper, and if you “seal” it with the 1Gel, the paper won’t remove very easily.
I put a little too much 1Gel on mine, so you can see it seeped out around the edge. Allow your image to dry. I did this very late at night, and ended up working on it the next morning. On some of the bottles I have done I waited a few hours before removing the paper.
There are lots of ways to do image transfers. Many say to spritz water on the label, but I didn’t have a water bottle, so I used damp paper towels.
Would you believe this is my first image transfer on furniture? I used my palm to roll off the top couple of layers of paper.
This project is is not for the impatient DIY’er. It takes a lot of time and patience to repeatedly remove the tiny pieces of paper.
After you think you have all the paper removed, you will still find more pieces hiding. I did one last dampening and wiping of the image.
I actually chose this particular graphic because it is in English. I’m a huge fan of the French graphics, but it bugs me that I don’t know what they say.
After getting the last bits of paper removed, I did some light distressing, then I put on another coat of 1Gel to seal the image.
Voila! Success!
This isn’t the best coffee table ever, in fact it’s very cheap, but the Heirloom Traditions paint and the Graphics Fairy image make it look a lot better, don’t you think?
gail
Jill says
December 28, 2015 at 9:54 amCan the 1Gel take place of waxing when using chalk paint? I noticed you made the comment that it is a lot easier, so you can do the gel instead of wax for protection? Thank you
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
December 28, 2015 at 10:21 amJill
Yes, the 1Gel can be used as a topcoat to protect your finish. It’s really a very versatile product!
Heather says
September 5, 2015 at 12:11 pmThis came out so clearly. I like your paper-towel method – I’ll have to try it. Thanks for the great step-by-step! I’m just learning to use the 1Gel for transfers and it is such a great top-coat…
Christi says
July 5, 2015 at 11:55 amYour table looks amazing! I have tried image transfers a few times, but I find that they always end up looking almost like a sticker…there is an edge and a different consistency over the transfer. I guess what I am trying to say is that it isn’t smooth and when I take off more…I end up taking off the image. I wish I could get this!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
July 6, 2015 at 7:57 amChristi,
This image doesn’t resemble a sticker, it looks more like it was painted on. The key is working on each and every layer of that thin white paper. Who knew there could be so many layers?
good luck!
gail
Patricia says
July 2, 2015 at 10:51 pmHaha! I’m laughing at your English/French reasoning… I have the same issue and in fact made a sign that says ‘FLOWERS’ on years ago…because I didn’t want it to say ‘fleurs’ … I don’t speak French! LOL!
This table looks great… you make it looks so easy too.
I’ve done some transfers similar to this…without the 1Gel… It wasn’t as easy, if I recall. I should probably try this!
Kirby says
July 1, 2015 at 7:00 pmit looks SO much better! I’ve never heard of this gel; I’ll have to be on the lookout.
Sue Z. says
July 1, 2015 at 6:01 pmlove the coffee table, Gail! If we were neighbors, I’d be over to buy it from you! Great upcycle!
Mindi says
July 1, 2015 at 12:58 pmIt looks so great!! I love the color too!
DI B says
July 1, 2015 at 12:56 amI see you got an upgrade to your “spray both”. I still use mine made of PVC pipes and a large drop cloth to cover box. Yours looks much better.
JJ Crouch says
June 30, 2015 at 7:26 pmCute! Looks like a very fun project. You always do a great job.
Tanya says
June 30, 2015 at 2:55 pmAlso, it is a beautiful table, I love heirloom stuff.
Tanya says
June 30, 2015 at 2:53 pmHello, I’m trying to work on a table project something like this, Did you sand the table first? Mine has a shiny look to it.
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
June 30, 2015 at 9:06 pmTanya,
yes I did lightly sand the table just to rough it up a bit because it was VERY shiny.
gail
Barbara Staab says
June 30, 2015 at 9:21 amThank you for such clear instructions! Looks great
Bliss says
June 30, 2015 at 9:03 amSo I have to be patient huh? That could present a problem.
Susan says
June 30, 2015 at 8:43 amWould you believe I have been struggling with an image transfer and this came at just the right time. The coffee table looks amazing. I love your posts. Thanks again
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
June 30, 2015 at 8:54 amThanks so much Susan!
This was pretty easy, but it does take patience. 🙂
good luck!
gail
girlfromwva says
June 30, 2015 at 8:38 ami have never done an image transfer; maybe one day. i love the color & graphic you used!
Kris Holsti says
June 30, 2015 at 7:53 amLOVE this! Great Job friend and you make it look soooo easy.
Julie @ follow your heart woodworking says
June 30, 2015 at 7:35 amYes, I agree, it looks a heck of a lot better!
Michele says
June 30, 2015 at 7:28 amIt turned out very pretty!
Véronique says
June 30, 2015 at 7:18 amI just love it! You did such a beautiful job! I do have to say as a french canadian, i saw on many blog, french quote or words misspell…. Even sometimes the words didn’t make any sens at all!! But I’m avalaible in the future if you need any help with French words!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
June 30, 2015 at 8:53 am🙂
Yep… that’s why I stayed away from French for this one! Thanks Veronique!
gail
cassie @ primitive & proper says
June 30, 2015 at 6:39 amwould you believe i have never done an image transfer??? one of these days!