You can paint over varnished wood, but there may be obstacles in your way. Find out what they are, how to deal with them, and the best painting process.
Learn it all in the post below-
It’s The Dark Ages In Here
“The varnished wood look has got to go!”
Jason looks up at Melissa in surprise. “Well, that was sudden. I’m glad you finally agree though.” Melissa nods firmly. “Yep. It looks old and outdated, kind of like your mother’s house. No offense to her, it is a style, just not one I want for our home anymore.”
Can You Paint Over Varnished Wood?
You can paint over varnished wood as long as you use the right materials and painting process. The best paint to use is a water-based acrylic one. If you’re using an oil-based paint only use an oil-based primer, not an acrylic one.
“Sweet, this means it can be done! Is there a how-to for this?” Melissa scrolls down to find out.
How To Paint Varnished Wood In 7 Steps
- Make any repairs and caulk as needed
- Wash varnished wood with TSP (trisodium phosphate)
- Sand with fine sandpaper
- Clean off dust
- Prime following the manufacturer’s instructions
- Lightly sand primer to remove any brush marks
- Paint over varnished wood with 2 coats of oil or water-based paint
“We’ll also need to know how to prep a room for painting,” Melissa points out.
Repairing and caulking the wood helps your home look better and last longer. The TSP helps get rid of anything that would sit between the paint and wood. This helps the paint bond more tightly and lasts longer.
The sanding gives the paint a better surface to grip. Priming also helps the paint stick better. Most of these steps help the paint last longer and look better doing so.
Wood rot and damaged wood, in general, may slow down the process. Painting over this just lets the damage get worse, which isn’t good for your home or furniture.
More Resources For You
“You want to get started now or…?” Jason asks. Melissa puts a hand on her hip. “I think we should do some more digging and see what else we can find that might be useful.”