How to Resurface a Ping Pong Table Top

After years of vigorous use, your ping pong table top surface can become rough and pitted, sending the tiny, lightweight ping pong ball all over the room. Follow these tips below to resurface your ping pong table top to ensure the best and fairest play for everyone, whether you are a skilled competitor or just playing for fun.

Step 1: Remove the Net and Net Holder

Use a screwdriver to unfasten the net holders on the sides of the table. Remove these and the ping pong net and set these away from the table and work area.

Step 2: Clean the Table Area

Spray the all-purpose cleaner all over the table and edging. Wipe off thoroughly with paper towels.

Step 3: Tape Off the White Boundary Lines on the Table

Use painter's tape to cover all the white boundary lines on the ping pong table top. You will restore these after refinishing the rest of the table.

Step 4: Sand the Ping Pong Table Top

If the table top is pitted, uneven and has cracks, sand down the entire surface with a medium 80 grit sandpaper and fill cracks with wood filler. Allow the wood filled areas to set for 24 hours. Sand over the surface again with fine 150 grit sandpaper. Vacuum off all the sandpaper dust with a handheld vacuum cleaner.

Step 5: Paint the Table Top with Chalkboard Paint

Use the same color of chalkboard paint as your original surface, either green or black. Leave the table top in its flat position parallel to the floor to paint so the paint does not run down into and over the white lines you have taped off. Hold the paint can about 10 inches above the surface. Spray each side separately and evenly and allow 8 hours for drying time. The paint should dry to a flat finish with no ripples or droplets. Apply a second coat of chalkboard paint, letting it dry for 6 hours, then a final coat. 3 coats of chalkboard paint provides the smooth surface that is essential to high-quality play on your ping pong table.

Step 6: Refinish the White Boundary Lines

Ensure the chalkboard paint is totally dry before applying painter's tape to mask the edges of the white boundary lines. Use an enamel spray paint to repaint the white boundary lines. Hold the paint can about 6 inches above the table surface and spray slowly and evenly down each line. Let the white enamel paint dry for 24 hours. If it appears even and opaque as it dries, you will not need a second coat.

Step 7: Reinstall the Ping Pong Net

Refasten the net holders to the center sides of the table top and install the net. If your net is stretched out, torn or has worn binding, replace it with a fresh, taut net.

Step 8: Safety Tips

Use spray paints in a well-ventilated area. Wear a face mask to avoid breathing in microdroplets and fumes from these types of paint.