Can varnished wood be painted?

You can only get as good a result as the work you do before applying the paint. Varnished wooden surfaces are no different. You don't need to strip the wood with a varnish remover. Here's how to achieve amazing results when painting varnished wood.

Before you Get Started

Take safety precautions to avoid any injuries or damage to your home. Use cleaning chemicals and products with proper eye protection. Always wear gloves. Also, when using power tools such as orbital sanders, protective goggles are essential.

Step 1 - Sanding

In most cases, a random orbital sander is sufficient to complete the surface preparation. Use 180-grit paper to smoothen the wood. For corners and other tight places, you can use a sponge or some sandpaper. Although you don't have to sand all of the varnish, it's important to remove as much gloss as possible. Once you're done sanding, remove as much dust as you can. Then, wipe the piece with a damp rag to remove as much dust as possible.

Step 2 - Choose your primer

A standard primer will likely work for your piece if you can sand the wood to a clean, unfinished condition. If varnish remains, choose a primer that has superior adhesion to hide these imperfections. PrepRite ProBlock, by Sherwin-Williams, is an excellent option for smoothing the surface, so it's ready to be painted. Some primers call for a second coat. Apply if necessary.

Step 3 - Time to paint

Once the primer is dry completely, give your entire piece a light sanding using fine-grit sanding blocks. Vacuum all surfaces again. Finally, wipe down the surface with a tack cloth. You can apply paint with a high-quality brush. This will make a huge difference to the end result. Be sure to clean up any drips around corners and edges. Use two to three coats of paint. Make sure to let the paint dry first before adding a new coat. Once you achieve the paint finish that you prefer, you can apply the polyurethane/protective finish of your choice.

We're available to assist you if your project is not going according to plan or if you need expert advice.