I have a set of bookshelves which are currently wood woth a varnish. I want to paint them with a water-based gloss white wood paint. Do I have to sand them back first, or can I paint directly over the varnish?
2006-10-31 19:55:00 · 12 answers · asked by susieh 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
No. The reason is this, the solvent used in varnish. Varnish and paints dry because the solvent evaporates out, leaving the hard paint material behind. Varnish is famous for providing a very smooth surface, which is why it is used, and also why any paint will not adhere properly (think tape on wax paper), unless it has a solvent which will work on varnish as the original did, which water based paints do not have. So the answer is to rough up the surface so the paint can adhere, hence sanding. Only light sanding is necessary, just enough to make a matte finish, so the surface is rough enough for the paint to adhere properly.
2006-10-31 20:46:27 · answer #1 · answered by rowlfe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Painting Varnished Wood Without Sanding
2016-10-14 23:08:48 · answer #2 · answered by lorts 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you must sand any smooth surface before painting,to help the new coat of paint stay on otherwise you will find you will have a hard time painting. normally a fine sanding is sufficient,but when I started my time as a painter and decorator I was told that paint may crack when applied on top of varnish.You pays your money and take a chance,better to take the varnish off.
2006-11-01 09:06:33 · answer #3 · answered by alex winefly 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Paul J. Sand it only enough to rough up the surface then use a primer before applying your paint. Also I suggest an oil based paint. It dries harder and is a good finish considering there's a lot of place movement on bookshelves and a latex paint will scatch easily.
2006-10-31 23:25:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not fully cool with ammonia residual being left on the surface. So take a damp cloth in water, and wash off the surface you did do with ammonia. Then let it dry somewhere other than the cold wet basement. Give it a day or two. What you see and wetted is how the wood will look like when it is wetted with the clear coat and it will stay locked in that wet look. If it does not come out pretty, you always can paint it a color. after.
2016-03-16 07:24:21 · answer #5 · answered by Jennifer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can if you want it to look pretty bad, it will peel if you dont sand the varnish down first. You dont need to go mad, just sand it until it loses the shine.
2006-10-31 20:06:57 · answer #6 · answered by Scottish Girl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
use a sanding block and sand lightly, then wash and dry thoroughly, you will get a much smoother effect.
Water based gloss isnt as tough as oil based or even eggshell paint, it can flake off or wear very quickly
2006-10-31 20:05:01 · answer #7 · answered by Nimbus 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sand first
2006-10-31 19:56:35 · answer #8 · answered by Pauline 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
sand first or it won't last but if you cant be bothered just slap a bit of paint stripper on then rub it off, much quicker
2006-10-31 20:07:21 · answer #9 · answered by tjpimpin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to sand it all the way back to the wood. Just enough to roughen the surface so you get some adhesion with the paint.
2006-10-31 19:57:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋