How to Paint a Varnished Chair

Lay a tarp on the floor of the workspace. Cover upholstered seats, backs or arms with low-tack painter's masking tape. Put on a dust mask and eye protection.

Equip a palm sander with 120-grit sandpaper or wrap the sandpaper around a sanding block. Sand the varnished surface following the wood grain to remove the shiny finish. Continue to sand the chair until the finish takes on a dull appearance.

Wipe the entire chair with a tack rag to remove all of the dust from the chair's surface.

Inspect the chair for nicks or gouges in the wood. Press wood putty into the dents or depressions with a thin-bladed putty knife. Build the putty flush with the surrounding surface. Let the putty set and dry for 1 to 2 hours.

Add 220-grit sandpaper to the palm sander or sanding block. Sand all of the surfaces again, following the wood grain. Wipe the chair with a tack rag to remove the dust.

Remove the tarp and shake off all the dust outside. Place the tarp down and set the chair on the tarp.

Dip a paintbrush into an oil-based primer and coat the entire chair with primer. Let the primer dry for 4 to 6 hours.

Rub the surface of the primer lightly with 400-grit sandpaper by hand to smooth the uneven surface and lines left by the paintbrush. Wipe the chair with a tack rag.

Pour oil-based paint into a small paint bucket. Dip a foam paintbrush into the oil-based paint and apply a light coat of paint on all surfaces of the chair. Let the paint dry for 4 to 6 hours.

Inspect the painted surfaces for paint drips and high spots of paint. Lightly sand any imperfections with 400-grit sandpaper. Wipe the surface with a tack rag.

Apply another coat of paint to the chair. Allow the paint to dry for 4 to 6 hours.