What advice can you give me about painting over varnish?

Answer by  leroy (231)

Sand it first, any gloss has to be sanded away. Then prime it with an oil based primer, has to be oil latex will not bond. Then apply two coats of paint.

Answer by  rbiales (3441)

Choose paint with a similar solvent to the varnish to allow the two layers to bond and lock with each other rather than repel and peel each other off. Painting over varnish is tricky and usually requires an oil-based paint, or use of a primer between the two layers of varnish and paint.

Answer by  Amber40 (24961)

Well you should scuff the varnish with some very vine sandpaper or steel wool and possibly apply a primer to promote adhesion.

Answer by  worker3576 (72)

Varnish is always found to be smooth and glossy. Therefore the varnished substrate has to be sanded thoroughly to make it rough and provide a key to take on a Paint system.