How do I prep a varnished wood wall I want to paint?

Carolyn
by Carolyn

The wall are made up of door like panels that are stained and varnished. I want to paint this wall.

  8 answers
  • Joseph Glackin Joseph Glackin on Jan 21, 2019

    Sand, prime, then paint.

  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Jan 21, 2019

    Wash down with TSP and then sand the sheen off. Prime with oil based primer, lightly sand again then paint with oil based paint.

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Jan 21, 2019

    Hi! You'll want to dull the finish, wipe it down, use a good primer and then paint. You can ask at the paint store to have your primer tinted to the color you are painting to save paint.

    • See 3 previous
    • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Jan 23, 2019

      Carolyn, when I said dull the finish, perhaps I should have been a little clearer about the prep. I usually get all the gloss off the finish before I apply a primer or as Em said, it won't stick. I also clean the surface before sanding, so that I'm not sanding the surface dirt that accumulates on any surface. I like to use a 200 to 220 grit sandpaper. A large area usually is most easily done with an electric sander. I use a palm sander because it gives me more control. Wipe it down well to remove the dust you'll create on the surface (I use a microfiber cloth that is damp). If you're not sure it has been sanded enough, paint a small area with first the primer, then the paint. Wait until it is completely dry - if you can scratch it off with your fingernail, it needs more prep to create a finish that will let the paint adhere. Generally, the sanding will give the surface enough texture to have the paint adhere. You can also strip the finish off with a chemical stripper like Citristrip, but, it can be a real pain on a vertical surface, which is why I recommended dulling the finish with sandpaper. Sorry I wasn't clearer about what I meant. We all have our methods and sometimes multiple methods accomplish the same thing. Good luck!

  • William William on Jan 22, 2019

    The finish needs to be scuffed up for paint. 200 grit sandpaper would work. Wipe it all down. Prime with Kilz primer then paint. You choice of paint, color, and sheen.

  • Pamela Pamela on Jan 22, 2019

    If you use a chalk paint , you can skip the sanding and having to use primer . I would clean the wall with a product called Krud Kutter de glosser, this will not only clean years of polish off but will also dull the finish . I got it at home depot for $6 . You spray it on & wipe off . Then you can use a chalk paint ( not chalkboard paint ! ) it comes in many colors . Then seal it with a sealing wax , either clear or antique finish . This goes on like stain , brush it on then wipe it off. It dries to a hard finish .

    If you chose to go the sanding , primer and paint method , make sure you get primer and paint that are compatible . Good luck !!!

    • Carolyn Carolyn on Jan 22, 2019

      Thank you Pamela for the advice, it has been most helpful.

  • Darla Darla on Jan 22, 2019

    All of the above answers are good ones. Prep is key to a good start and finish. And a good paint makes it last longer.

  • Em Em on Jan 22, 2019

    I agree with Pam if you are using chalk paint. It has amazing coverage power that latex paint does not.

  • Gigi McCabe Gigi McCabe on Jan 22, 2019

    Kilt is very good for this job!🙂