Painting Furniture That Is Lacquered White

Painting over a piece of furniture that is covered with lacquered paint can be a challenge. Lacquered paints are very smooth and glossy, making them difficult for new finishes to stick to. However, as lacquered finishes get older, they tend to crack, and if they are white, they start to turn yellow. If your piece is starting to show its age, it is worth the effort to take some time and elbow grease to give it a new finish.

Tarp
Face mask
Mineral spirits
Rag
Sandpaper
Paint brush
Primer
Paint

Instructions

- 1
  Place the piece of furniture in a well-ventilated area, cover the floor with a tarp and cover your mouth and nose with a face mask.
- 2
  Clean the piece well with a rag dipped in mineral spirits. This will strip the finish of any polish or other oils that have accumulated over time.
- 3
  Sand the piece down completely with a fine grit sandpaper to give the new paint something to adhere to. Use a vacuum to remove the dust and a tack cloth to wipe off any dust that remains.
- 4
  Apply a coat of primer with a paint brush or sprayer. Oil-based primer and enamel will help you achieve the same lacquered look the piece had previously, if you choose.
- 5
  Allow the primer coat to dry completely according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- 6
  Paint a the primed piece with your chosen paint. Wait for the first coat to dry completely before applying a second coat.

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