Can I paint wood that is already varnished?

Question

My question is if I can put paint straight on the varnish. What will happen, can it hold? Or do I really need to sand it first?

Answer 1

everyone is an expert but nobody knows anything.

varnished wood paints easily enough and lasts beautifully, the trick is in the prep...simply sand thoroughly with 220grit for tooth you don't have to strip you don't have to prime with anything special.

after the sanding you can prime with any interior oil primer and apply two coats of interior oil paint color of choice.

it isn't complicated, it isn't terribly difficult, it is a little work but not a whole lot of hard work, don't make it any bigger a deal than it is.

Answer 2

No you need to strip the wood down give it a light sanding and  clean it with a Tuck cloth than you re apply the varnish. If you don't your piece will look like it has a crust on it and it's not very appealing to look at it example if someone was to re apply  nail polish over old nail polish you will see all the little scuffs and bumps that the previous coat had .

Answer 3

If you paint right over varnish with no surface prep the paint will not have enough surface area to grip, so it will flake & peel off.  It might take it a few days or months, but it will.  Guaranteed.

Sanding it with 100 grit sand paper will do the trick, but remember to wash it down very good after sanding to remove all the fine grit, dust & oils from your hand/sweat.  If the piece isn't too ornate (lots of routing, molding, inlays) taking it one step further and sanding to remove the varnish completely will be the best.

You want to put down a coat of premier primer first, then follow up with your desired paint.

Answer 4

the paint will chip easily if you put it over varnish