Can you Paint over Polyurethane?
DIY projects and woodwork are fun and can help you bring your old furniture to life. All you have to do is to paint it! However, this is where the more interesting and slightly confusing thought arises –can you paint over polyurethane? Should you remove it completely before painting it? Read on to find out all the answers!
Paint over Polyurethane – Yay or Nay?
Yay! You can definitely paint over polyurethane, and you really don’t have to worry about getting rid of it. Polyurethane is a glossy, hard material that makes the furniture vulnerable to chipping. So, painting over it is actually a good idea. How do you do that, though? You prep!
Preparing the furniture is the first and most important step in this process. In this article, we will take you through the details.
How to Paint over Polyurethane?
- Start by cleaning the surface with a damp cloth. If there is damage such as holes or chipping, use wood filler to fill them as you clean.
- Now, you need fine-grade sandpaper and sand the surface. Make sure you take safety precautions such as wearing a mask and protecting your eyes as well because the dust can be toxic.
- Once the surface is rough enough for painting, you can go ahead and remove all the accumulated dust using another cloth. You can also use mineral spirit for better cleaning.
- Apply primer on the wood. One coat will suffice.
- Let it dry all night.
- On day 2, all you have to do is to apply one coat of paint using your preferred paintbrushes. Leave it to dry all night.
- Start day 3 by sanding the surface and wiping it using a clean cloth. After this, you should apply another coat of the paint.
- This time you should wait for 3 days at least.
- Enjoy your as-good-as new furniture and use it to the fullest!
Things to Remember:
- Never skip the primer.
- Don’t buy one-coat paints as they are not very reliable. Plus, they are very expensive.
- Throw all the cloths you used for cleaning carefully. They can be dangerous (flammable).
- Avoid latex or water-based paints.
- While working, you should have adequate ventilation.
- Don’t forget to use a mask and other safety gear.
- Be patient between coats. Otherwise, the paint will not dry.
We hope this article helps you paint over polyurethane with the utmost ease. If you have any doubts about this process, make sure you let us know through comments.