PolyShades stain and polyurethane also allows you to easily change the color of your currently stained or varnished wood without stripping. Over old varnish you can change the color without removing the old finish or hiding the grain.
Yes, you can varnish over varnish without sanding if the existing varnish is in good condition. Ensure proper cleaning and use a compatible varnish type. However, for the best results, light sanding and cleaning can enhance adhesion and finish quality.
However, if you're using a contrasting colour, stripping the old varnish will ensure you have a better and more accurate colour. You still have to carry out some essential prep to make sure you get the best finish. First, you need to clean the wood to get rid of any lodged dirt and dust.
Instead of sanding, use a liquid deglosser to dull the existing finish. This product helps you prepare the surface for new stain or paint without the need to strip or sand. Wipe it on with a cloth, and it removes the glossy top layer, making the surface ready for refinishing.
Do You Have to Sand Before Staining Wood? Wood needs to be sanded well before it can be stained. The process opens up the wood's pores to better absorb the stain. It also smoothes away scratches in the surface which will only be enhanced by stain.
Minwax® PolyShades® is an easy way to change the color of your currently stained or polyurethane finished wood. There's no stripping or heavy sanding necessary to remove the old finish!
Old varnish and stain can be removed from wood. Sanding is one of the most frequent techniques because it cuts through varnish and stain to reveal a new layer of wood. Although sanding is quick, it also generates a lot of fine-particle dust that is easy to breathe in, and it may remove more wood than you wanted it to.
If you do decide to go ahead and apply new varnish over the top of old varnish, make sure that the existing varnish is scratch-free and do give the old varnish a light sanding using 120-grit sandpaper and wiping away any dust. This will ensure that the new varnish has something to bond to.
We recommend using Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 for glossy surfaces like varnished wood. Zinsser Bulls Eye is a 'bond coat' primer that's great for hard-to-stick surfaces as it offers excellent adhesion without sanding.
This method requires caution.
A heat gun can soften the varnish, making it easier to scrape off. Hold the heat gun a few inches from the surface and move it back and forth. When the varnish starts to bubble, use a scraper to remove it.
Clean the surface thoroughly to remove any dirt or grime. Lightly scuff the varnish with fine-grit sandpaper to promote adhesion. Apply the gel stain using a clean cloth or brush, working in small sections. Wipe away excess stain to achieve the desired color intensity.
Sanding Tips: No sanding is needed if you overcoat within 48 hours. Don't sand unless the most recent coat has dried for 24 hours. Use 320 grit to prevent scratches; sandpaper finer than 320 grit will not allow proper adhesion. Remove residue before reapplying.
However, the layer of varnish gradually changes from colourless to a yellowing, shrinking crust with the characteristic craquelé of old paintings, creating colours which may differ greatly from the original paints used by the artist -blue may look like a kind of green, for example.
Stain will stain/soak into wood. If its been varnished then that is a physical barrier over the wood. So yes, strip and sand to be able to stain.
Can I use any type of primer on varnished wood? For the best results, use a water-based primer that adheres to varnished surfaces without the need for sanding.
You generally don't need to sand new wood that has been stained before painting, but it depends on the results you're after. If you want a super-smooth painted finish, scuff-sand, which is lightly sanding (scuffing), the surface by hand (not with a machine), to smooth out bumps using 150- or 220-grit sandpaper.
PolyShades stain and polyurethane also allows you to easily change the color of your currently stained or varnished wood without stripping. Over old varnish you can change the color without removing the old finish or hiding the grain.
You can paint over varnished wood as long as you use the right materials and painting process. The best paint to use is a water-based acrylic one. If you're using an oil-based paint only use an oil-based primer, not an acrylic one. “Sweet, this means it can be done!
In most cases only one coat is necessary to prime most surfaces. If excessive absorption occurs over very porous substrates a second coat may be necessary. Spot priming is recommended only under high-hiding topcoat paints. For best results prime entire surface before painting.
Marine Spar Varnish can be recoated in 10-12 hours at the recommended coverage rate. The varnish can be recoated without sanding up to 24 hours. Beyond 24 hours, sanding is required.
While polyurethane is water- or oil-based plastic resin, varnish is older and made from resins, oils, and solvents. Because of the higher ratio of solids, varnish is less susceptible to ultraviolet light damage. This protection makes varnish an excellent choice for projects such as outside decks and exterior furniture.
Gloss oil-based varnish, polyurethane and Danish oil can last 10 or 20 years, though satin finishes and stains may fail sooner as pigments and flattening agents disable the driers. Water-based coatings and paints can also be viable longer than three years. Shellac, though, can go bad in under a year.
Re: removing varnish from furniture
There are two methods to remove the varnish on your table. Use an Orbital Sander in conjunction with 180 grit sandpaper. The other method is to use Bondall 1L Water-based Paint & Varnish Stripper.
Many wood surfaces are treated with finishes like varnish, lacquer, or sealants to enhance durability and appearance. Vinegar can strip away these finishes, leaving the wood vulnerable. This not only affects the wood's aesthetic but also its ability to resist moisture and other damaging elements.
Citristrip is a good alternative to Minwax If you're looking for a less toxic varnish stripper. Aside from Minwax, Citristrip was the best for removing finish. While the manufacturer recommends leaving it to soak in for at least 30 minutes, I noticed the finish bubbling up after only about 12 minutes.