Can You Paint over Stained Wood?
Sam Lutz • August 5, 2014
Yes, you can paint over stained wood. In fact, there are numerous correct ways to paint stained wood and the method you choose should depend on the type of stain used, the state of the wood, and whether or not you’re painting a piece of furniture or some other structure.
List of Supplies:
- Tarps
- Screw Driver (For Removing Knobs or Handles)
- Tack Cloth
- 150 Grit Sand Paper
- Paint Brushes (Multiple Sizes)
- Primer
- Paint
The Process:
- Prepare the area for painting: Lay down tarps and move any furniture that could be in the way. Set up all your painting materials on the tarp so that they are within easy reach.
- Clean the wood: Use the tack cloth to remove any dust, dirt or spider webs. This is especially important if you’re painting a piece of furniture that has been sitting in a garage or shed for a long time.
- Sand the wood with 150 grit sandpaper: The amount of sanding that the wood requires will depend on the state of the wood and type of stain used.
- Many stains have a waterproofing quality that give wood a glossy, smooth finish. Sanding the stain is helpful because it roughens the finish, allowing the paint adhere to the surface of the wood. You don’t need to strip the stain off, only mar the surface.
- In some cases, the stain may not be glossy and paint may have no trouble adhering to the wood. In this case, you will only need to sand the wood if it’s too rough in some places.
- Prepare the wood:
- Remove any nails and fill in any holes with spackling to create a smooth, even surface on which to paint.
- If painting a piece of furniture, remember to remove any drawers and take off any handles.
- If painting a door, remove the knobs.
- Paint the wood with primer: This is especially important if the wood has been stained to a dark color.
- When purchasing a primer, ask the paint professional what type of stain-killer primers are available for purchase. Also, let him or her know what type of stain you’re painting over (oil-based or water-based), and what type of paint you intend to use. This will influence the kind of primer your paint professional will recommend.
- Wait for the primer to dry: The waiting time depends on the type of primer used and the humidity of the air and temperature of the room. Plan to wait at least an hour, although it may take less time.
- Paint the wood: If you’ve ever painted a piece of furniture or wood before, this process should be straight forward. A few tips:
- Use angled paintbrushes to reach crevices and corners.
- Paint multiple layers to ensure adequate coverage.
- Do not replace any drawers or knobs until the paint has fully dried for at least two hours. Paint is not dry until it no longer feels tacky.
Resources
There are many helpful online resources you can consult before painting stained wood. This the Washington Post
gives some helpful tips but does not actually provide comprehensive, step-by-step instructions.
Finally, this brief tutorial may provide you with more support as you get started on your project:
If you have any questions before or during the process, stop in and ask any one of our paint professionals at Ace Paints and Unfinished Furniture!
If you’ve painted stained wood and have experiences to share, leave a comment in the box below this article. We love to hear from our customers!
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