How do you paint over a woodstain?

Deborah
by Deborah

I'm wanting to update this bar. Thinking a coat of paint but the timber has been stained. Do I have to sand all the stain off? Open to any suggestions as to how to update it. Thank you

  6 answers
  • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Nov 18, 2018

    lightly sand,primer,paint.unless it's been varnished laquered,or polyurethaned(shiny finish) then you'l need to sand heavily or strip first.

    • Lisa Sinclair Lisa Sinclair on Nov 19, 2018

      I painted over wood paneling and found that I never needed to strip, it just wasnt needed needed. We did lightly sand and clean the walls well, then prime, then paint.

  • Fiddledd224 Fiddledd224 on Nov 18, 2018

    Take one of the cabinet doors to the paint department of the home improvement store and ask them to select paint/stains and other finishes and application tools that will work for your kitchen. They have the best selection, the most up-to-date materials and most important, the most informative sales staff to get you what you need for a professional job.


  • William William on Nov 18, 2018

    No stripping at all. Just lightly sand to remove any gloss. Prime with a good stain blocking primer. Then paint your color. Seal with at least three coats of a water based polyurethane.

    • Lisa Sinclair Lisa Sinclair on Nov 19, 2018

      No sealant needed, if you use a good paint. Extra money ans rime wasted in my opinion . And i have painted over wood paneling before. Besides anytime I put polyurethane over paint, it yellows.

  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Nov 18, 2018

    Wash down with TSP, sand off sheen, prime with oil based primer, lightly sand, paint 2coats of oil based paint .

    Of course remove all hardware, drawers and doors, mark on back where they go.

    Add new hardware and enjoy your new cabintets.


    • See 1 previous
    • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Nov 19, 2018

      You wash it down because if dirty it gunks up sand paper and the TSP helps the sanding process. Also you should only use oil on wood. It helps protect it and soaks in, latex sits on top. That's why latex paint chips so easily. That's why grandma's woodwork still looks good after 30 years and new construction woodwork needs painting every 5 years. All good professional painters only use oil on wood unless it has been already painted with latex.

  • Diana Dohr Diana Dohr on Nov 19, 2018

    Chalk paint then Polycrylic. Occasionally stain might bleed through a little especially if you paint with a light color.

  • William William on Nov 19, 2018

    Lisa Sinclair. Painting paneling is like painting walls. Painting furniture a clear coat is needed to protect the finish from daily use. Water based polyurethane does not yellow. Oil based does. Washing down should be done to clean any dirt and grease that even primer won't grip.