Our couch frame has an ugly orangish varnish on it and we want to make it look more like walnut or something dark but don't want to go through the trouble of sanding. Is it possible to just stain over the varnish. It's not too glossy or anything. We're just looking for shortcuts.
2007-10-28 03:45:04 · 6 answers · asked by Phil H 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
Since the varnish seals the stain underneath, you will have to sand through it in order to alter what is underneath.
It's really not that much of a painstaking job, I think you will be glad you did it once you did. Then you can just start from scratch and give it the stain color you would like to have.
2007-10-28 03:50:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, it is called paint. Stain works on bare wood(which soaks in the stain) Once a clear coat is on top - be it lacquer or varnish. stain does not do anything. You can buy colored varnish though, but you are going to have to apply several coats to change the color that much.......drying between coats......faster just to paint. You still have to sand, but just to "scratch the surface" so that the paint sticks. 120 grit. and a quick going over. Also make sure you have washed the surface clean of jam, jelly, dog puke, and the like.(otherwize you will be painting that instead of the surface and "dog puke" will eventually fall off - so too will the paint.
2007-10-28 04:00:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. Stain needs to go into the grain of the wood. The varnish will not allow this.
2007-10-28 03:50:09 · answer #3 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well you can try something called French Polish. it have a fairly strong odor. You can also you a thinner to strip the old varnish or a paint stripper but be careful when using it. Several coats of the french polish may be needed. Most hardware stores should have it. Follow the instructions to a tee.
2007-10-28 03:53:24 · answer #4 · answered by narcman272002 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no ,you need to sand first the stain wont go through the varnish or if it did it would look blotchy.you just need to sand the varish off if you want to stain it darker
2007-10-28 03:49:48 · answer #5 · answered by Tio 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can't wood stain over varnish, sadly.
You are stuck with sandpaper unfortunately.
2007-10-28 03:48:21 · answer #6 · answered by Sherlock 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋