Portray varnished wooden: Ideas for a easy, long-lasting end
Portray over varnished wooden is a fast, easy and cost-effective technique to restore wooden. It could actually carry a brand new aesthetic, disguise 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 large.
Nevertheless, it’s worthwhile to 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 alternative 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 trade. Expert in Administration, Retail, Gross sales, and residential constructing recommendation.
Can I paint instantly over varnished wooden?
You may paint onto varnished wooden, however, like all paint initiatives, you’ll need to do some preparation to make sure an excellent end, explains Paul Kerr, Constructing specialist at Beatsons. “Technically, sure, you possibly can paint instantly onto varnished wooden. Nevertheless, it’s troublesome 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’ll need a number of fundamental portray provides:
Jonathan Bromell, Director of Wooden Flooring Kent, particulars what sandpaper is greatest 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 easy the floor while eradicating imperfections, with out damaging the floor of the wooden.”

Jonathan Bromell has over 20 years of expertise within the trade and is an skilled 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 important when portray onto a shiny floor comparable to varnish, ideally one which is not oil-based, as this could take longer to dry on.”
Bromell agrees, “A water-based acrylic paint is really helpful for portray varnished wooden as it’s simpler to use and provides 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 effectively: “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 good selection for varnished wooden.”
Portray varnished wooden
1. Clear the floor
Earlier than you begin any portray, it’s worthwhile to 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.” Go away 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 important 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.” Go away to dry, and you’ll 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 wonderful sandpaper, grade 240 grit is sweet, to easy the floor. Wipe clear with a humid fabric and go away to dry earlier than including the following coat.
Bromell provides, “If utilizing an oil-based paint, it have to be used alongside an oil-based primer for the perfect end and sturdiness”.
Eradicating outdated varnish from wooden
There are a number of choices for eradicating varnish, all of which do an excellent job. Bromell says, “It’s greatest 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 greatest 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, keep in mind to maintain it shifting and don’t go away it in a single spot for various seconds. As quickly because the varnish begins to bubble, it will likely be gentle sufficient to take away. Do that in levels earlier than shifting on to the following space.
Sanding can be a viable possibility, however it sometimes wants extra effort. Kerr shares the way to use: “Use an orbital sander with a grit of round 80-120 for bulk elimination, shifting to a finer grit to easy the floor out afterwards.”
FAQs
Is it higher to take away all varnish and begin from scratch?
Eradicating varnish from wooden is often a more sensible choice, explains Bromell, “Though with the right preparation, varnished wooden can successfully be painted, eradicating the varnish previous to portray can enable for higher adhesion.” He provides, “Varnish gives a shiny movie, so with out enough preparation, the paint might fail to totally adhere to the floor of the wooden.”
Kerr reinforces the advantages of varnish elimination, “It might take somewhat extra time, however having a naked/uncooked wooden floor will enable for the perfect probabilities of paint adhesion. He provides, “That is positively the case with already flaky varnished surfaces; eliminating the unfastened leafy flakes will profit the paint bond.”
What occurs for those who don’t use a primer on varnished wooden?
Not utilizing a primer just isn’t suggested, as this could trigger issues with the paint’s end, shares Bromell. “In the event you don’t use primer or put together the floor of the varnished wooden appropriately earlier than portray, then the paint received’t adhere correctly to the floor of the wooden.”
Kerr explains why, “In the event 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 prolong the paint job’s longevity, serving to it final years versus weeks.”
If in case you have varnished wooden that you just wish to remodel with paint, then make sure to take a look at our guides for loft bed room adorning concepts, utility room concepts, and fashionable rest room concepts for perception and inspiration.