How To Prepare Varnished Wood For Chalk Paint

For stubborn dirt and grease use warm soapy water but avoid harsh chemicals.

How to prepare varnished wood for chalk paint. It was this second method that Sherry used some years ago on the dresser in her kitchen which had originally been pine. You only need 2 tablespoons for a gallon of waterand I NEVER use that much. To clean your piece of furniture before painting use a damp cloth and wipe over the surface.

A quicker option was to use an emulsion paint and then protect it with a clear varnish. A clean working surface will make it easier to remove the varnish and will assure that dirt grease and dust wont mix with the primer or paint. For shiny laminates use a sanding pad and lightly sand the surface.

This primer will stick to almost any surface even if it has been sealed with varnish beforehand. To remove the veneer pull off the loose sections. I just sprinkle a few crystals into a spray bottle of warm water and give the piece a good spray bath.

In most cases one coat of primer is enough. If you need to apply a second coat of primer wait for the first coat to dry. Vacuum all the cobwebs inside underneath and on the back.

I then wipe back with a cloth or paper towels wearing glovesand then respray with pure water and wipe back againand done. If you are covering a very dark stain with a light color you might need two coats of primer. To do this go over the surface very lightly with a roller that has very little paint on it.

At the time Sherry had used a non-yellowing varnish but despite what it said on the tin it had developed a yellow tinge not the look she wanted. Revitalising an old varnished piece of furniture like a table or a cabinet is easier than you think. Let it hang out for a bit and it will help loosen the glue.