Keeping the toys under control

To give your parents or grandparents a gift, you don't need to go out and buy anything. Repaint a glass-topped wicker outdoor table for them and make it look brand new.

Step one: Clean the table

You will need to clean the glass top and the wicker table. Before you begin with the wicker, take the glass top off the table and put it carefully out of the way.

To clean the table, you will need:

• Warm water in a bucket or bowl.
• Dishwashing liquid.
• Dishwashing sponge, with a soft side and a rough side.

Put a little of the dishwashing liquid in the water. Make the sponge damp and wipe the furniture carefully. If there is a lot of dirt, you can use the rough side of the sponge to loosen it. Don't rub the wicker too roughly, though, so you can't damage it.

When the table is clean, leave it outside for a few hours so that it dries completely.

In the meantime, you can clean the glass. Remember that you must do this carefully, so that it doesn't break.

The best way to clean glass is to use methylated spirits. Apply a little to the glass with a soft cloth. Allow it to dry. Crumple up some newspaper and polish the glass with this.

Repeat the process on the other side of the glass.

Step 2: Prepare the table for painting

Paint will not stick properly to a surface that has any old paint on it or that is too smooth. You will have to remove all the old paint from the table.

To take the paint off the table, you will need:

• A brush with soft wire bristles.
• A damp cloth.
• Fine sandpaper.
• Water and a hosepipe.

Brush the whole table thoroughly with the brush. Make sure that you cover every part. Do not brush too hard, because you don't want to damage the wicker.

When you have loosened or removed all the paint, sand the table lightly with the fine sandpaper. Then, spray the whole table down with the hosepipe. This will remove the small bits of paint that may still be caught in the wicker.

Leave the table outside to dry thoroughly.

Step 3: Paint the table

The best paint for wicker furniture is spray paint. You should use an oil-based paint.

Make sure that you paint the table outside in a well-ventilated area. Put newspaper over any surfaces that may be defaced if they get paint on them.

Make sure that you hold the spray can as far away from your face as possible when you paint the table. Don't try to spray the whole thing in one go. Spray small areas and make sure that the paint covers all the wicker, even in between the woven areas.

Let the one side of the table dry completely before turning it over to spray the other side.

You should put at least two coats on the whole table.

Step 4: Finish off the table

When the table is thoroughly painted and is completely dry, you can take it back to the verandah or patio. Pick up the glass using house hold gloves to avoid getting fingerprints on it. Place it carefully back into its slot on the top of the table.