How to Refinish an Antique Curio

Use sandpaper to remove the varnish topcoat.

Antique curios are glass cabinets with wooden frameworks. If you would like to refinish your antique curio, use preparation and application strategies based on the finish you choose. Because many antique curios are enhanced with a glossy topcoat of varnish, they are ill-suited for stain and paint adhesion. You must remove this glossy topcoat prior to application, or the finish will chip and peel. In addition, since most antique curious are finished with oil-based stain, you cannot paint them with water-based coatings unless you apply a particular type of primer that's formulated for compatibility with latex paints.

Things You'll Need

• 120-grit sandpaper
• Tack cloth
• Professional painter's tape
• Heavy-duty fabric drop cloths
• Oil-based primer
• 2- to 4-inch, oil-based paintbrush
• Mineral spirits
• Acrylic latex paint
• 2- to 4-inch latex paintbrush
• Oil-based stain
• Varnish

Instructions

Painting

1. Sand the glossy varnish topcoat from the wooden frame of the antique curio with 120-grit sandpaper. Stop sanding when the curio wood appears dull.

2. Wipe sawdust from the curio, using a sticky tack cloth.

3. Cover portions of the curio you do not want painted with painter's tape. Cover the floor beneath the antique curio with fabric drop cloths.

4. Apply an oil-based primer to the wooden frame of the antique curio, using a paintbrush that's made for use with oil-based coatings. Wait 3 hours for the primed curio to dry.

5. Wash the paintbrush with mineral spirits.

6. Apply acrylic latex paint to the primed wooden frame of the antique curio; use a paintbrush that's made for use with latex coatings. Wait 2 hours for the primed curio to dry. Use the paintbrush to touch-up the curio.

Staining

1. Sand the glossy varnish topcoat from the wooden frame of the antique curio with 120-grit sandpaper. Stop sanding when the curio wood appears dull.

2. Wipe sawdust from the curio, using a sticky tack cloth.

3. Cover portions of the curio you do not want stained with painter's tape. Cover the floor beneath the antique curio with fabric drop cloths.

4. Apply oil-based stain to the wooden frame of the antique curio; use a paintbrush that's designed for use with oil-based coatings. Wait 2 hours for the stained curio to dry. Add additional coats for darker results. Wash the brush with mineral spirits.

5. Apply varnish to the stained wooden frame of the antique curio after 24 hours, using the clean brush. Wait 4 hours for the varnish to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Select an oil-based primer that it is made for use with water-based coatings.

• Never apply paint or stain over varnish, or the finish will fail

• Never paint a bare wood curio, or the paint will peel.

Resources

• Popular Mechanics: 5 Pro Painting Tips Every Amateur Should Know