painting over varnish

kerrin62 · Apr 11, 2010 11:46 am

I have a nice vintage varnished sideboard which has seen better days. I want to paint it. Can I just take the shine off it with a sander and then paint it? What kind of paint can I use? Just a normal water based one?
Any advice is very welcome please!

Stormy · Apr 12, 2010 12:31 pm

Hi Kerrin, I'm about to embark on the same project, but with pine bookcases.

I have been doing some online research, and all I'm going to do is sand them back to get rid of the shine, but not too course a paper so you end up with grooves through it. Then I'll put on an acrylic primer and 2 coats of white acrylic. I had thought about using enamel, but since I want mine painted white, it will go yellow, and I don't want that! I will sand very lightly between coats to get a nice smooth finish and then spray it all over with a can (or 2) of satin acrylic varnish that will not go yellow.

I had thought about using a spray gun for the paint to get in all the cracks and grooves and eliviate brush marks, but because it's a bookshelf and will be tucked away in the corner of the room filled with books I don't think it will matter. Sanding lightly with very fine paper between the paint should help this too. Because yours is a side board, and more on show than a bookcase, you will get a better finish with a spray gun or can.

The more prep work you do (cleaning , filling and sanding) the better it will look. It might be worth asking at a paint shop which is the best primer to use. They also might suggest something to clean it with if it has been previously waxed or polished ontop of the varnish.

I'm no expert, and haven't attempted this yet, but this is what I would be doing! Someone with a bit more experience may be able to give both of us some more advice!

scotthas · Apr 13, 2010 10:45 pm

Hi Kerrin
Give it a light sand ...say with 180 grit sandpaper....just to get rid of any slight imperfections and provide a bit of a key for the primer. Though if you use a product called Zinsser BIN primer ( red label) you dont have to sand at all really.
After you use this primer you can use a water based or oil based paint to get the finish your after, but you will need to use 2 coats. You clean this primer off your brush with Meth. spirits. Probably should be able to find more info on the Zinsser website.
Just sand lightly between coats and dust it off thoroughly. I find you get a better finish ( less brush marks) if you paint all the corners with a brush then do the broad areas with a nook and cranny roller frame with a mohair roller. Roll the paint on smoothly then immediately lay it off with a soft brush with a very light touch.....just a section at a time.
If you decide on an oil based enamel you will get a better finish if you thin the paint a little with turps.
Good luck and have fun.
Cheers....Scott

kerrin62 · Apr 14, 2010 10:36 am

Thank you for your advice. It is very much appreciated. I will get to work straight away.