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How to paint over varnished timber

A varnished table being undercoated with a paint roller

Overview

Revitalising an old varnished piece of furniture like a table or cabinet is easier than you think. Not only will you get a lot of satisfaction out of saving it, but you can modernise it to really suit your style. We'll show you what you need to do to bring old timber furniture back to life.

Steps

1Prepare the table

The first thing to do is to remove any hardware from the table. This may include handles, knobs or metal trimming. Then you'll need to clean the furniture with a good household cleaner. With disposable gloves on, use a scouring pad to remove anything that is stuck to the timber. Wipe away any residue and let the table dry. Make sure you always follow the manufacturer's instructions on your cleaning product
A table being prepared for painting with a deep clean with a sponge and soapy water

2Fill up the cracks and imperfections

Use putty filler and a scraper or putty knife to fill in any cracks, holes or imperfections in the furniture. It's best to use a flexible scraper that's wide enough to cover the cracks or imperfections you're filling, so that the putty is applied flat and evenly. Leave the putty to dry.

Gaps in a varnished table being filled with putty

3Sand the table

Sand the furniture using 180-grit sandpaper. For a smoother finish, you could try 240-grit sandpaper. You don't have to remove the varnish completely, just slightly etch the surface so that primer will stick to it. A good tip is to sand in the direction of the grain. After sanding, wipe away any dust with a damp cloth. Remember to wear a dust mask and eye protection while you're sanding. 

A varnished table being sanded down for a smooth surface

4Apply the primer

Mix the primer thoroughly. If you're working inside, you might need to wear a respirator mask. When applying the primer, use a paint roller and make long even strokes. You can also use a paint brush for any areas that are hard to reach with a roller. A handy tip when painting is to lay the paint off before it goes tacky for a finer finish. To do this, go over the surface very lightly with a roller that has very little paint on it.

If you need to apply a second coat of primer, wait for the first coat to dry. Give the surface a light sand with 180-grit sandpaper, wipe off any dust, and then apply the second coat.

A varnished table being undercoated with a paint roller

5Apply the paint

For our table, we used a water-based enamel because it dries quickly and is easy to clean. Apply as many coats as you need with a roller or paint brush to cover the area completely. Make sure the paint is dry before applying a second or third coat of paint. Once it's dry, move your revitalised piece of furniture into place and enjoy it for years to come.                

A varnished table being painted Bunnings teal
Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer.