How to Paint Table Numbers with Pearlescent Paint
Difficulty Level: Easy
Color Inspiration: Dark brown and snow white pearl
PROJECT MATERIALS
• Pre-stained wood blocks (in Dark Oak)
• Custom wood numbers (ours are unpainted wood, size 3" tall, in Alegreya font, and with 1/2" thickness)
• DecoArt Americana Pearls Paint (in Snow White)
• Flat-bristled paintbrush
• Wood glue
• Cardboard, parchment paper, or other surface protection
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Set out all of your materials and cardboard to protect your painting surface.
2. Since your pearlescent paint and wood numbers are paint-ready, there is no additional prep needed for painting. Shake your paint bottle well, and squeeze out a bit of your pearlescent paint onto your cardboard. You will need to paint several layers, so squeeze more out as needed.
PAINTING TIPS:
To get a clean, smooth finish, paint in long strokes on the edges and front surface. You can spot paint, but long strokes will help create a consistent flawless finished product.
3. Allow each layer of paint to dry before adding another (about 20 minutes). Since our numbers have dark edges due to the special laser cutting process, you will need about 3-6 layers of DecoArt Americana Pearls paint to give your numbers an opaque finish. The shimmer is subtle, and it's best to show it off with a clean pearly look adding as many layers as you wish for your desired look.
4. Repeat these steps for every number you have for your table signs. Allow your numbers to dry completely before applying them to your wood blocks.
5. Once done painting, use mild dish soap and water to clean your paint brush for the easiest cleanup ever!
FUN FACT: DecoArt's new Americana Pearls acrylic paint comes in 14 gorgeous shimmery colors for your own wedding DIY style. There's Slate Grey, Baby Pink, Lamp Black, and many more colorful hues for your special day's theme. Not only useable on wood, you can also paint on terracotta, wicker, canvas, ceramic, and more to personalize your wedding. Creativity is endless!
6. When your numbers have fully dried from its pearly treatment, dab small dots of wood glue on the backs of your numbers. Press each number onto the centers of your pre-stained wood blocks. If any wood glue seeps out from the side, use a toothpick, folded paper edge, or similar tool to wipe away the wood glue.
7. Let the wood glue cure for 24 hours before displaying or packing away in your wedding decor bag. That's it! You're ready to help communicate to your guests where they are sitting which is especially important in COVID-era weddings!
VENDOR CREDITS
Photography, Styling, & Tutorial: Chelsea LaVere for Tidewater and Tulle | Pearlescent Craft Paints: DecoArt | Pre-Stained DIY Wood Blocks: High Oak & Co. via Etsy | Custom Wood Numbers: Craft Cuts
Many thanks to DecoArt for partnering with Tidewater and Tulle for this DIY tutorial feature! And while the disclaimer is that we were compensated to write and design this, the words and our loyal love for the DecoArt brand are all our own. Some of the above product links are affiliate-linked and purchasing through these links helps support our wonderful sponsors and Tidewater and Tulle! You can find our full affiliate disclosure policy here on Tidewater and Tulle.
