How to Paint Over a Urethane Varnish Finish
Many home surfaces are able to be painted with almost no prep work, some general-purpose primer and latex paint. On the other hand, urethane varnish surfaces are tough to paint over if you've never done it before. When applied to urethane varnish finishes, traditional paint materials lead to disastrously blotchy results and peeling paint months down the road. Fortunately, the proper process for painting over urethane varnish finishes is not overly complex, provided you approach the task with the right supplies and background knowledge.
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Things You'll Need
- 220-grit sandpaper
- Moist cloth
- High-adhesion primer
- Paintbrush
- Paint roller
- Oil-based paint
Instructions
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Sand the urethane-varnished surface with 220-grit sandpaper. Sandpaper abrades the glossy finish for easier primer adhesion.
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Wipe off sandpaper dust with a moist cloth.
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3
Prime the urethane-varnished surface with high-adhesion primer and a paintbrush or paint roller. High-adhesion primer costs a little more than general-purpose primer, but the extra few dollars per gallon pays off in the long run. Even on a sanded surface, general-purpose primer doesn't stick to varnished finishes easily. Wait for the primer to fully dry before proceeding.
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Paint the surface with oil-based paint and a brush or roller. Oil-based paint takes longer to dry than latex paint. Since it's not water-based, you'll also need paint thinner to clean even tiny oil-based spills. Oil-based paint, however, is more durable and better suited for a previously varnished surface.
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Apply a second coat, if necessary, after the first coat dries. Avoid using the recently painted item for at least 24 hours. The surface will be dry to the touch within a few hours, but it won't fully cure for an entire day.
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Tips & Warnings
Always paint in a well-ventilated area.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
