Can you paint over stain? Of course, yes.
Stain can adhere to cabinets, floor, or trim. You try to remove it by rubbing; however, it makes your furniture look worse.
Painting is the right solution. You not only can restore your furniture but also renew it with different colors. You may paint over the stain on any furniture such as chair, table, or fence.
Painting over stain is easy if you know how to choose suitable paint and follow some crucial tips.
We will also give you some helpful methods for painting over the stain.
Let’s start right now!
Can You Paint over Stained Wood?
Wood is commonly used in making a lot of tools in households, and it is also everyone’s favorite material. However, wood is easy to be stained.
Do not worry that you can not restore the beauty of wooden tools. It is not complicated to paint over stain without the need for stripping polyurethane or varnish off!
You can paint over wood to cover the ugly stain and bring back the classic beauty of your furniture.
Scroll down to know how it is!
How Do You Paint Stained Wood?
To paint over the wood stain, you need to wear a respirator. It is a common misconception that it is not necessary due to the low toxic level of painting. We will not explain further here due to complicated scientific knowledge. However, we would like to remind you that safety is first.
After you are ready, let’s start with five steps below:
- Choosing the place for painting
- Sanding the surface of the wood
- Making repair or caulk
- Priming the wood
- Painting over stain
Step 1: Choosing the Place for Painting
The purpose of this step is to avoid paint adhering to the instruments that you do not intend to paint over.
You should choose an empty area or remove all the things in the place you paint. A sunny place is highly recommended as it allows wet paint to dry quickly. In case there is no such place within your reach; you can also use a hook to hang all the objects to prevent the paint from sticking to them.
Tatter or waste-paper is helpful if you use it to the line. Also, you can use the large old table as your workbench.
Also, prepare objects that you intend to paint on. You had better use a pencil and tape to note the parameter of that object.
Step 2: Sanding the Wood
The step is to flatten and remove mill marks on the surface of the wood.
You need to use suitable sandpaper ( 120, 150 or 180 grit). The amount of sandpaper depends on the type of varnish and the state of the wood.
You ought to wear gloves to avoid injuring your hands while working.
Step 3: Making Repair or Caulk
The step is to restore the physical surface of the wood.
Everything you need to prepare is a non-silicon or caulk tube, caulking gun, and a damp paper towel. First, you put a non-silicon or caulk tube on the caulking gun and squeeze them into the holes. Then, you have to wipe excess non-silicon or caulk by the damp paper towel. Wait for a minute before priming or painting.
Step 4: Priming the Wood
Primer is essential in helping the paint adhere to the surface of the wood for a long time.
It is convenient to prime both sides of the wood if you hang it. If not, you need to paint one side and wait for it to dry before painting the other.
It takes 1-2 hours to dry the paint completely, so there are no choices other than waiting. However, it depends on the type of primer you used.
Step 5: Painting over The Stain
This is the most significant step which decides the results of the restoration process.
A brush and paint are all the things you need. (you should choose some paint which has been verified).
Be patient, and you can complete the work.
More: How to Paint a Wood Fence by Paint Sprayer
Can You Whitewash over Stained Wood?
To restore the furniture, people seldom whitewash over stained wood. However, if you like the unique style, whitewash is an excellent method for renewing old furniture.
It is quite easy to whitewash over stained wood with 3 simple steps following:
First, preparing the stained wood:
You should use sand to remove the old paint so that whitewash will adhere to the furniture for a long time. How to sand the furniture for whitewash is the same as you do for painting over the stain.
Note: After you sand the wood, you can also stain other colors before whitewashing it. This helps to highlight the variation as well as to make the coat of paint even. The color you should paint is dark mahogany.
Second, making the mixture of whitewash:
There are a lot of choices for you in creating the whitewash.
In the past, people often used a mixture of water and chalk. You had to mill the chart into powder before mixing it to the cold water with a ratio of 1kg to 1,4 l. After that, stir the mixture, and you have whitewash at your fingertips.
Nowadays, the modern method is that you need to mix 2 parts of white paint with one part of the water to get the whitewash.
We advise you to use the second method.
Third, painting the mixture on the wood:
You are advised to use a soft brush and paint in the direction of the wooden grain.
Finally, waiting for the wood to dry:
You should put it under the sun and avoid touching the wet paint.
What Kind of Paint Do You Utilize on Stained Wood?
You think that all types of paint are the same. In fact, there are several types of paint with different features. Finding out the suitable paint will give you the best results of restoring the furniture.
In the article, we will recommend you some types of good paint:
Oil-Based Paint
Many people believe that the more durable the paint is, the better it is. In this case, oil-based paint will not disappoint you because of its high durability. Also, oil-based paint gives a smooth surface after the painting is finished. Sometimes, you don’t need to use a top coat for this sheen.
However, oil-based paint takes a long time to completely dry, and the smell is unpleasant and harmful to your health. You need to avoid touching oil-based paint when it is not completely dry.
Although oil-based paint leaves few brushstrokes on the surface, it requires a high-quality paintbrush for time-saving purposes.
Water-Based Paint
Water-based paint is a popular choice in the industry for its ease of use, along with many great features. It dries very quickly, so you can save a lot of time on your project. Also, feel free to choose any colors you like thanks to its variety.
You should consider using water-based paint in good weather conditions. Its major disadvantage is that it doesn’t work well at high or low temperatures.
Latex Paint
Although Latex paint cannot adhere to the wooden surface as well as oil-based paint, it is still a proper choice.
It offers some advantages such as fast drying, effortless cleanup, and low toxic levels compared to oil-based paint. However, you also need to consider carefully because of its disadvantages, which is the required maintenance at a low temperature.
To minimize the brushstrokes, you should use a high-quality paintbrush. Moreover, you should mix the Latex paint within a little Floetrol.
*Floetrol is chemistry, which helps to maintain the quality of Latex paint. It also improves the adhesion of the paint to the surface. Follow the best ratio: a part of Floetrol with a part of Latex.
Acrylic Craft Paint
Do you like to have old small wooden furniture renewed for a more aesthetic appearance? It is not too complicated. In this case, you are advised to use Acrylic Craft Paint.
You can buy Acrylic Craft Paint easily with a low price in any store. It is also a perfect material to create unique colors by mixing two or three painting colors.
However, it is not a good choice for big furniture as you have to use more paint. Also, it is easy to leave streaks on the surface.
Specialty Paints
In the past, people created some specialty paints to decorate the furniture. If compared to the paints mentioned above, these paints simplify the painting in your own house. You ought to know about velvet finishes; chalk paint and milk paint.
You don’t usually need to sand or prime before using Velvet Finishes; Chalk paint and Milk paint, unless the surface of the furniture is glossy or shiny. These paints also require a topcoat.
Can You Paint over Stain Without Sanding?
If your furniture is too old, but you want to keep it for whatever reason, it is time you should sand and paint it.
Although sanding takes time, it is vital if the surface of the wood is in bad shape. It makes the paint adhere better for a beautiful surface.
However, if your wooden furniture is not that ugly, you can use some other methods instead of sanding. Of course, they take less time and effort than sanding.
We want to recommend two chemical methods instead of sanding.
One of the best methods is that you can use a hard scrubbing pad and mineral spirits to smoothen the surface of the wood.
Mineral spirit is a versatile and affordable cleaner. Pour the mineral spirit on a hard scrubbing pad and wipe on the surface.
Next, you can also use Deglossers, which is a good solution for stubborn stains.
Deglosser is a dangerous chemical, so you should be careful when using it. You are advised to work outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Protective eyewear, masks, and gloves are encouraged to use for your safety.
The use is simple. All you need is a clean cloth.
Rub the deglossers over the surface of the furniture. It takes a little time for deglossers to work on the surface. After that, you use the cleaning cloth to wipe off the surface. Then, you have to wait for the surface to dry completely. Then, it is time to prime and paint.
Conclusion
We hope that the article can help you to solve the problem with stain and answer to the question: Can you paint over stain?
Before starting your project, let’s think of some interesting ideas in your mind. We believe that you can bring an aesthetic touch to your home.
Let’s prepare the necessary tools and suitable paints to renew your wooden furniture right now! Remember to wear protective gear to protect yourself!
Don’t forget to leave a comment and share the exciting pictures about your renewed furniture. Thank you!
I am Peter Levick, with over 10 years of experience in the home improvement industry, I have become a seasoned expert in painting and paint sprayers. Through numerous DIY projects, I have developed a keen eye for aesthetics and a deep understanding of the technical aspects involved. My expertise extends to various paint sprayer systems, and I stay updated with the latest advancements. I bring a meticulous approach to every project, ensuring stunning and durable results. Clients can trust in my craftsmanship and commitment to delivering exceptional work.
