Can You Paint Over Varnish? - A Repainting Guide

You probably like collecting old, varnished antiques, like wardrobes, cabinets, hardwood lounges. Of course, most of this set of furniture may not look as good as they were before. So you ask, “Can you paint over varnished wooden furniture?” Painting may sound easy, but it is a tricky task, and you will need a lot of preparation. In this article, you will learn what kind of paints you can best use over varnished furniture. Not only that, but you will also learn a brief guide on how to paint over varnished wood. Curious? Well, read on!

Is It A Necessity?

Before we answer the question: “Can you paint over varnished wooden furniture?” you need to know first if it is even necessary to paint over varnish. Well, it is a fact that varnish wears out over the years and can show the many imperfections of your wooden furniture. You do not want your guests to see these noticeable wear and tear. That is why it is necessary to paint over varnish to rejuvenate it with a new color, protect it, and enhance your furniture's durability!

Can You Paint Over Varnish?

Let us answer this simple question quickly: “Can you paint over varnished wooden furniture?” Well, yes, you can! However, there are certain considerations you must check, such as both the wood and the varnish are in good condition. Read below the details on how you can do this easily!

Sharpening your Wood Carving Knife

Now that we answered this, “Can you paint over varnished wooden furniture?” question, you need to know what kind of paints are best to use. Here are three of the most recommended paints for covering varnish:

Acrylic or Latex Water-Based Paint

If you are the type who wants a quick result, then water-based paint is the best option for you in painting over varnished furniture. You can even apply this paint over oil-based primers.

Chalk Paint

You can use this kind of paint if you like that matte finish or vintage look on your furniture. If you are unsure of your painting skills, you can use this because it can hide the many imperfections in just a few wipes.

Oil-Based Paint

Just like with any artwork, oil painting usually has the richest and most vibrant finish. You can do this with your furniture too! However, this kind of paint dries so slow—at least eight hours or even more to dry and before you can apply another coat or layer. So if you like working slow, this is for you!

Painting over Varnish

Now that you know the kind of paints you can use to cover varnish, it is time to get into a brief and simple painting guide over varnish. There are four major steps: cleaning, fixing, primer application, and then paint application!

Cleaning the Wood

Before painting over the imperfections of your furniture, it is very important to clean it! Cleaning the piece is to prevent any dust, dirt, or cobwebs from getting mixed with your paint and ruin the job. You can do this by mixing a dishwashing soap with water then remove the dirt from the piece of furniture using a soft cloth.

Fixing Damaged Wood

The next thing you should do is check for splinters or any other damage, like rot or mold. It is necessary to fix parts of your furniture first before applying primer and paint on them. Fixing some damaged parts will help preserve the furniture and make it durable and long-lasting.

Applying the Primer

Honestly, you can directly paint on wood without a primer. However, primers have purposes that can further preserve your wooden furniture. Some of these purposes are to prevent your furniture's wood grain from being visible through the top paint coat and from allowing the paint to stick better on your furniture. Remember to do this right after cleaning and fixing your piece of furniture.

Applying the Paint

Applying the paint over the varnished wooden furniture is simple, but first, make sure that the primer is dry and smooth. Just make even and solid strokes or wipes with your paintbrush over the clean and primed surface. Let your first layer of paint dry up before adding a second coat. Check for surface gaps or imperfections so you can sand it up before adding your final coat. Set your piece of furniture aside for a few days before using your freshly painted wooden furniture!

Conclusion 

Now you know if you can paint over varnish! The answer is simple—yes, you can paint over varnish! What you only need to do now is to apply the things you have learned in this article. Remember that there are different paints you can use to cover over varnished furniture. They also have different uses. Also, familiarize yourself with the four steps of painting over varnished wooden furniture! Remember that you need patience, especially in cleaning and fixing your furniture before applying primer and paint. Paint away!

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