Can You Spray Paint Over Stained Wood (A How-To Guides)
While stained wood already gives an attractive look to your furniture, giving your deck or cabinets a fresh coat of paint can basically bring your home back to life.
But really, can you spray paint over stained wood? The answer is Yes, but you need to level up your skills, use the right approach and allocate more time to the project otherwise it an uneven finish
Also, the process used for painting over stained wood is dependent on the present condition of the wood, the stain type used and whether or not the piece you’re painting is furniture.
So if you own a new home or you perhaps just want to give a facelift to a home you’ve been residing for quite a number of years, then the following DIY guide on painting over stained wood will help you choose the appropriate tools in getting the work done right.
All at a Glance
How to spray paint over stained wood.
While we can paint over stained furniture, we also need to indulge in the correct approach. Below is a step-by-step process for spray painting over stained wood.
Step 1: Wear safety equipment.
Spray paint isn’t something you want to breathe or get into your eyes. So before going any further into this whole procedure, you really want to get a mask, eye protection and gloves.
The same goes for any debris being created when you sand. Trust me, you don’t want any of that having their way into your eyes. Plus it is quite easy accidentally get paint on your hands. So you’re sure to treat this with utmost importance.
Step 2: Sanding
Whether or not you’re dealing with bare, stained, painted, or varnished wood, having it sanded is really an ideal option. This would allow you degloss the surface, handle paint peels, address rough spots and tackle other surface-related issues.
Actually, the grit level you’ll need may depend on the problem you want to address. If the unevenness is so apparent, you may want to go with a medium grit in the 100 to 150 grit range. And prepping paint for handling smaller issues, a fine grit between 200 and 300 should do the trick.
Step 3: Clean the piece
After you’re done sanding, the next thing to do is to remove the debris. There you want to use a soft, clean rag to wipe down the surface while ensuring all dust is completely taken off before moving ahead with the next step.
Step 4: Get a suitable location.
Painting ordinarily, can be inherently messy. However, if you’re using spray paints, you may need to choose a paint-friendly location.
Normally, you should go for an area where overspray won’t be an issue. This section could include a space or an open area where you can drape everything in the vicinity with sheeting or cloths.
By doing this, you want to make sure any paint that doesn’t hit the piece will not adhere to something in the background you’d prefer it didn’t.
Also, you want to place a drop cloth underneath the piece so as to protect your floor. You don’t necessarily need to point in a downward direction, some of the paint may likely drift that way so that coverage is something you’d really want to get.
Step 5: Prime(Optional)
Although priming seems to be the best, it could as well be optional. It all depends on the type of paint you chose and the state of the surface. However, if you’re using primer, you really want to apply it following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Then you allow it some time to dry before moving forward. In most cases, it’s always best to flip the piece upside down while you start on the underside.
Step 6: Paint the piece
Now that you have primed, it is time to spray paint the wood. First thing first, take time to go through the manufacturer’s guide to knowing if there’s a need to shake the can during the process and see if it’ll spray in any direction.
So once you’ve done that, flip the piece upside down. Use long, even strokes to apply the paint while continuing off the edge of the piece before doing the next pass. Ensure there’s a slight overlap as you work as this would increase the odd of getting complete coverage.
I’d advise you do an even coat that’s a bit lighter as you paint, rather than trying to load it with paint as you work. Because if there’s too much paint, drips and other similar issues will be unavoidable. So you rather want to focus on applying it evenly, knowing for a fact that a second coat will be necessary.
However, if you’re convinced with the work of the single coat, then you may simply allow it to dry. If not, follow the manufacturer’s guide as regards the duration of time you’d have to wait before applying the second coat. After which you give it 24 hours to cure properly.
What kind of spray paint can I use?
Basically, there’s an array of spray paints that can be used on wood. And we have options in nearly every finish with relative ease and they include; gloss, semi-gloss, matte, eggshell, flat and satin.
Meanwhile, you aren’t even limited in colors as well. There are spray paints in trendy hues, classic shades, and of course, everything in between.
So peradventure you’re looking for a bold turquoise, a classic black, a soft pink, a vibrant tangerine or anything at all, you’ll likely be able to get it.
You can as well find water-based acrylics or oil-based spray paints. Lacquer spray paint is also available and this will allow you get a durable,high-shine finish.
Furthermore, spray paints come in different types. Most times, general-purpose spray paint works literally on several surface types potentially including wood.
Chalkboard and chalk spray paints can also be gotten and they work well with wood, giving you more functionality of a soft, velvety matte finish.
The biggest key to finding the best spray paint for your project is purchasing the one that specifically states it works on wood. Usually, manufacturers make a list of the surface types it can adhere to on the packaging, making it relatively easy to see if your preferred product is an ideal option.
Is it good to spray paint wood furniture without sanding?
To be honest, it’s a smart step to have to sand before painting wood furniture. You want to ensure there aren’t any rough spots before going ahead to apply any primer or paint, increasing the odds of getting a smooth finish.
Plus the fact that spray painting could be essential for proper paint adhesion, perhaps there’s an existing glossy finish.
However, there could possibly be some cases where you don’t have to sand. I mean, if the furniture is in good shape and free of spots, then you may want to forgo sanding if the wood is bare.
Also, sanding may not really be necessary if there is paint in a place that’s in good shape. That is, free of cracks and chips with a flat or matte finish.
Making use of chalk spray paint can as well help you avoid some sanding too. Using a deglosser instead of sanding might also be an option if there’s a glossier paint in place already.
However, regardless of all this being said, sanding before painting remains a typical smart move.
Also Read: Top 4 Best Paint Spray for oil based paint
Is primer needed for spray paint?
In most cases, primer is a very good idea as it provides you with a clean surface and also help the paint adhere properly. And the fact that bare wood is highly absorbent, so using a primer may reduce the total number of coats you’ll need, saving you money and time.
For previously painted, varnished, or otherwise finished wood, primer helps prepare the surface for the new coat of paint. This way there’d be fewer adhesion issues and a reduction in the odds that the underlying color or product will bleed through, leading to a smooth, consistent finish.
However, there is some spray paint that serves as both a paint and primer in one. With those, having to skip the primer might be an option.
Conclusion: Can You Spray Paint Over Stained Wood?
If you’ve always wondered whether or not paint can be sprayed over stained wood. Well, now you have your answer. As long as you have your surface properly prepped, adhere strictly to the safety precautions, follow all the steps mentioned above and go for the right choice of spray paint, then you’d sure have a successful operation.
Important Reads:
