Furniture and walls that have been previously varnished will have a sticky surface. If for some reason you want to paint this lacquered surface, this stickiness makes it difficult to paint. Often times, the paint does not stick to the surface of the varnish and peels off easily. Therefore, there are several steps that need to be taken to prepare the lacquered surface before repainting.
Step
Step 1. Thoroughly clean the area you want to paint using a household cleaner
You can use a scouring pad when cleaning the surface. Clean and wipe off as much residue as possible. The surface to be painted must be free of dust and dirt deposits.
Step 2. Make sure your workspace has good airflow
Prepare the floor and the area around it so you don't damage anything while cleaning and painting. Cover the floor with a cloth or newsprint.
Step 3. Remove all hardware from the furniture to be worked on
Step 4. Smooth an area or piece of furniture using sandpaper
This will give the surface a texture that the primer can apply to when painting. Try to sand in the direction of the surface groove. Wipe off any residue left by sanding.
Step 5. Patch any scratches or nicks on the wood surface using wood putty
Sand the putty until smooth after it dries.
Step 6. Wipe the area or piece of furniture that you want to repaint with paint thinner or denatured alcohol
The surface to be painted must be clean and smooth.
Step 7. Apply a coat of primer
If the varnish is very dark and difficult to cover, it's a good idea to apply two coats of primer. We recommend using an oil bonding primer to cover the varnish. This primer will allow the paint to adhere well to the surface.
Step 8. Paint the desired area or piece of furniture using an oil-based or latex-based paint
Apply as many layers as needed to completely cover the varnish.
