can you remove the top?

if so, spray primer, light sand, spray paint yellow, multiple light coats with around 10 minutes between them, by multiple i mean like 6-10. clear coat it.

Yeah, jmorey pretty much has it right. I did something similar with my coffee table (and actually painted it bright yellow!). I didn't prime, though I should have....I sanded it *really* well and then spray painted many coats. It's still in pretty good shape a year and a half later.

I would remove the top, lightly sand it with very fine sandpaper, vacuum it off, and wipe it with a damp rag.

I would then prime both sides and all edges with two light coats of Zinsser BIN spray. (Because it's particle board and you don't want it to warp, you need to prime and paint all sides equally.) I'd lightly sand out any imperfections. And I'd then paint it with an enamel -- not only would it be glossy, it'd stand up better to kitchen-table use than a typical latex or alkyd paint.

I'd probably stick to spray paints for the primer and yellow coats, but a foam roller would work too, if you don't overwork the paint.

The other way you could do it would be to paint it glossy yellow, and then top it off with a high quality glossy oil-based polyurethane. (I would not recommend using a water-based poly for this.)

I once took an Ikea table, cut up some different color VCT, glued it to the top and put a metal edge around it. A whole new table.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/spins_lps/296023292

great question, i was thinking of doing something similar to my likea ack end tables. i want to put a bottom on them- to make them more like cube parsons tables, and paint them either glossy yellow or light aqua.

i think a glossy yellow top on this table would look awesome! please post pics if you go through with it!

spinsLPs- wow that table looks great! i would never had thought it was ikea! very cool!

the other posters have covered the painting part.

fwiw: we're also using this table as a temporary dining room table (we have the long one). i'm *amazed* at the simplicity and quality for the price. granted, the white legs aren't really my style, they're solid and well designed. the top can be replaced by almost anything as it's a simple screw attachment. imagine having a powdercoater @ your call and re-coating the legs black, silver, gray, brown or orange. imagine an eames-ish top of finish plywood (many, thinner layers) with a black melamine laminate top. a sheet of walnut plywood and edgebanding can be had for under $100... oh, the options!. needless to say, we were super impressed with the build quality of both this and the utby stainless steel table.

Jam here,
Thanks for all of your suggestions.
Yeah, I really went to town with all the white ikea furniture in my apartment, and I figured this would be a good winter project. Will probably do a similar treatment to my tall Lack shelf that I use for my record player and books--it got soaked one day when windows were left open during a storm, and it's bubbled up in spots. I will let you guys know how it turns out! :)

btw, spins_lps, your table looks great!

If you can get a piece of glass the same size you can make a very durable and HIGHgloss top.

Simply take the piece of glass and spraypaint one side of it bright yellow. Put the paint side down - the color will show through and be protected by the glass.

I was just gonna suggest that, Modfan. I'd put very thin rubber bumpers on the underside too - something clingy, to keep the glass from sliding around, but that also keeps it from rubbing against the tabletop, in case you ever want to use it again unaltered.

i'd:

1. scuff the surface with fine steel wool, scotchbrite pad or 400 grit sandpaper. you want to take the gloss off.

2. my preference is rustoleum autobody spray primer. just dust it with the dust couple of coats to make sure its a strong bond.

3. if you like the rustoleum farm color, go with that. its very durable. otherwise, any high gloss enamel. some paint stores will custom mix spray paint colors for you. i know Monarch on Connecticut avenue does.

4. after a few days i usually pledge the surface or ...if its for a paying client... i'll use car wax and buff it.

the glass top is a great idea.

Or take it to a cheap auto paint place.