# Painting Over Old Varnished Wood
Family heirlooms, flea markets and thrift stores are all excellent sources for varnished wood furniture with character. Houses with varnished floorboards and doorways also carry the charm found in anything antique. Unfortunately, varnish may not fit into your decorative scheme. Painting over old varnish requires one particular consideration: the paint must be oil- or latex-based. Water-based paints will not adhere to wood previously varnished with an oil-based stain. The oil seeps deep into the wood and cannot be stripped. Unless you are certain that the varnish on the wood was water-based, never use a water-based paint over old varnish.
Things You'll Need
- Wood cleaner
- Scouring pad
- Shop-vac with bristled attachment
- Latex or oil-based primer
- Latex or oil-based paint
Instructions
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1
Wash the wood with a wood cleaner specifically formulated for removing waxy residue. Use a scouring pad to scrub the wood.
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2
Sand the wood using 100-grit paper to remove any sealant and open up the wood grain. The goal is not to strip the varnish, but to remove any sealants. Areas still covered by a polyurethane or other hard sealant will feel raised compared to the surrounding wood. Use a block sander or electric sander for large projects and a rotary sander for scroll work, carvings and turned legs or spindles.
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3
Vacuum the surface of the wood with a bristled attachment to remove all dust.
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4
Paint the surface of the wood with a latex- or oil-based primer coat to seal the wood. The primer coat also allows you to see how the paint will react to the wood. If it does not stick, wipe off as much of the paint as possible while it is still wet and sand the area again.
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5
Allow the primer to dry for 24 hours.
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Inspect the surface of the wood. Note any areas of the wood where the paint is still tacky or has formed bubbles while drying. Scrape or wipe away any wet or damaged paint and sand the area underneath the paint again before reapplying the primer.
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7
Apply the desired paint color.
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- Painting Over Existing Paint
- Painting Over Tree Sap
- Painting Over Stairs
- Painting Over Chipped Gloss Paint
- Painting Over a Mold Stain
- Painting Over Waxed Wood
- DIY Painting Old Wood Furniture
- Painting on Rough Wood
- Painting Over Varnished Stained Wood
- Painting Over Wood Veneer
- Painting Over a High-Gloss Paint
- Painting Over Masonry Paints
