Portray over varnished wooden is a fast, easy and cost-effective method to restore wooden. It could carry a brand new aesthetic, conceal undesirable imperfections and provides it a brand new lease of life. A brand new splash of color could make it mix along with your newest design concepts with out spending huge.
Nevertheless, that you must make sure you get your prep proper, in order that beautiful new color you’ve added stays wanting good for longer. When portray wooden, poor preparation and paint selection will quickly reveal what lies beneath. However comply with the guidelines on this information, and you will get it proper the primary time.

Paul Kerr is an skilled department supervisor with a demonstrated historical past of working within the retail and merchanting business. Expert in Administration, Retail, Gross sales, and residential constructing recommendation.
Can I paint instantly over varnished wooden?
You possibly can paint onto varnished wooden, however, like all paint initiatives, you have to to do some preparation to make sure end, explains Paul Kerr, Constructing specialist at Beatsons. “Technically, sure, you’ll be able to paint instantly onto varnished wooden. Nevertheless, it’s tough to maintain paint adhering to the shiny floor as varnish seals off the wooden beneath.”
He provides, “The important thing to portray on varnish is to organize the floor for adhesion, ensuring the paint can stick and maintain to it.”
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Instruments to color over varnished wooden
To color varnished wooden, you have to a number of primary portray provides:
Jonathan Bromell, Director of Wooden Flooring Kent, particulars what sandpaper is finest for the job: “When sanding varnished wooden, use a medium grit sandpaper between 120 to 150 grit and a sanding block.” He provides, “A medium grit will clean the floor while eradicating imperfections, with out damaging the floor of the wooden.”

Jonathan Bromell has over 20 years of expertise within the business and is an professional in producing and caring for flooring, panelling, and decking to make sure their longevity.
Paints to color over varnished wooden
With cautious preparation, the important thing paint part is a primer (like this Zinsser BIN Primer from Amazon). Kerr says, “A bonding primer is crucial when portray onto a shiny floor similar to varnish, ideally one which is not oil-based, as this will take longer to dry on.”
Bromell agrees, “A water-based acrylic paint is advisable for portray varnished wooden as it’s simpler to use and gives nice sturdiness.
Nevertheless, if you’re utilizing an oil-based prime coat like this Dulux Commerce Excessive Gloss from B&Q, Bromell says, “This have to be used alongside an oil-based primer.”
Kerr suggests another that may work properly: “For stronger adhesion, check out chalk paints. Chalk paint (like this Frenchic Furnishings Paint from Amazon) has a matte end and sticks rather well, so it may be a sensible choice for varnished wooden.”
Portray varnished wooden
1. Clear the floor
Earlier than you begin any portray, that you must examine the floor. Take away any flaking varnish with a scraper, brush away any particles and clear. Bromell shares how, “Take a microfibre fabric and a mix of heat soapy water and gently wipe the floor of the wooden.” Depart the floor to dry earlier than persevering with.
2. Prep and sand
Subsequent, it is time to sand the floor. Bromell says, “Utilizing a medium grit sandpaper will take away the gloss on the varnished floor to permit for higher adhesion.” Kerr provides, “A light-weight sanding is crucial as you do not wish to strip the floor again too far.”
When completed sanding, brush off any mud. To complete, Bromell says, “Take a humid fabric and wipe the wooden to take away any leftover mud.” Depart to dry, and you should have a floor prepared to color.
3. Prime and paint
Earlier than making use of a prime coat, it is time to apply a primer. Kerr says, “Now you wish to add a layer of primer to assist strengthen the paint’s grip on the wooden.” He continues, “When dry, sand once more with a barely coarser paper. Now you can apply the paint; a few skinny layers usually do the trick.”
Between coats, use effective sandpaper, grade 240 grit is sweet, to clean the floor. Wipe clear with a humid fabric and go away to dry earlier than including the subsequent coat.
Bromell provides, “If utilizing an oil-based paint, it have to be used alongside an oil-based primer for one of the best end and sturdiness”.
Eradicating outdated varnish from wooden
There are a number of choices for eradicating varnish, all of which do job. Bromell says, “It’s finest to make use of a warmth gun or solvents to melt the varnish; this manner it may be gently scraped off the floor of the wooden utilizing a scraper.” He provides, “This have to be performed with warning to keep away from damaging the wooden”.
Kerr suggests {that a} warmth gun is finest used on flat surfaces: “I might advise sticking to flat surfaces when utilizing a gun, and watch out to not scorch the wooden.” When utilizing a warmth gun, bear in mind to maintain it shifting and don’t go away it in a single spot for quite a lot of seconds. As quickly because the varnish begins to bubble, will probably be gentle sufficient to take away. Do that in levels earlier than shifting on to the subsequent space.
Sanding can be a viable choice, however it usually wants extra effort. Kerr shares the best way to use: “Use an orbital sander with a grit of round 80-120 for bulk elimination, shifting to a finer grit to clean the floor out afterwards.”
FAQs
Is it higher to take away all varnish and begin from scratch?
Eradicating varnish from wooden is often a better option, explains Bromell, “Though with the proper preparation, varnished wooden can successfully be painted, eradicating the varnish previous to portray can permit for higher adhesion.” He provides, “Varnish gives a shiny movie, so with out satisfactory preparation, the paint might fail to completely adhere to the floor of the wooden.”
Kerr reinforces the advantages of varnish elimination, “It could take somewhat extra time, however having a naked/uncooked wooden floor will permit for one of the best probabilities of paint adhesion. He provides, “That is undoubtedly the case with already flaky varnished surfaces; eliminating the free leafy flakes will profit the paint bond.”
What occurs in the event you don’t use a primer on varnished wooden?
Not utilizing a primer will not be suggested, as this will trigger issues with the paint’s end, shares Bromell. “When you don’t use primer or put together the floor of the varnished wooden accurately earlier than portray, then the paint received’t adhere correctly to the floor of the wooden.”
Kerr explains why, “When you do not use a primer, the paint will simply sit instantly atop the varnish, which not solely makes the paintwork look uneven, however can result in chipping/flaking inside the area of a few weeks.” He provides, “A correctly layered primer will lengthen the paint job’s longevity, serving to it final years versus weeks.”
In case you have varnished wooden that you just wish to rework with paint, then make sure you take a look at our guides for loft bed room adorning concepts, utility room concepts, and fashionable toilet concepts for perception and inspiration.