what is the best way to paint over varnish wood to white paint?

Question

i want to paint my stairs and banisters white but they are now dark brown stain and varnish

Answer 1

You can try painting over top of the existing paint. The varnish is acting like a wood sealer. Prime the dark wood with a white primer, let it dry then paint your final coats (once or twice) until it covers. They only other alternative is to sand everything down. vacuum up the dust, prime and then repaint.

Answer 2

I think painted wood is the current style and that it looks really nice. In the 80's the natural wood look was popular. I guess it would depend on the decor of your house as to what would look better, and how much trim you have. If you are selling it, maybe the next person would want the stained trim and would have to strip all that trim! What a decision! LOL!! I think I would paint it!

Answer 3

First, sand the area to scuff it up and give the paint something to stick to. Then apply at least two coats of primer, and as many coats of the white paint as you're comfortable with. On a high traffic area like a bannister handrail, you may want to apply a clear sealant over the white paint.

Answer 4

no matter what you do you will have to sand and you might try a little varnish remover befor you sand.hope this helps.no real easy way to do it.also use some primer befor you paint so it dosnt bleed through.

Answer 5

there are companys around that for a fee will immerse the whole
item in a vat of stripper & completely strip the item.
if you lightly sand the item & undercoat & gloss over the varnish, it will become prone to chipping!!

Answer 6

SAND THE VARNISH WITH FINE SANDPAPER AND THEN PAINT OVER

Answer 7

Use steel wool an sugar soap the wool breaks the surface and the sugar soap gets rid of any grease or polish.

Answer 8

scratch it with sandpaper to give it a key, and apply a gloss undercoat, and then gloss it the following day.