Staining over varnish without sanding is possible but the surface has to be smooth and free from blemishes otherwise the result will fall short of a professional-looking finish. Sanding is a process that is very crucial to finishing.
You don't need to remove all of the old stain to apply darker stain. But you do need to remove all of the lacquer, varnish or anything that will prevent new stain from absorbing into the wood. It's easy to see the shiny edges of old lacquer, or the scratched surface of old lacquer.
PolyShades stain and polyurethane also allows you to easily change the color of your currently stained or varnished wood without stripping. Over old varnish you can change the color without removing the old finish or hiding the grain.
Make sure you sand the wood well before applying stain. Any scratches will be enhanced by stain. Sanding will also help open up the pores of the wood so that they can absorb stain better.
Additionally, it's important to mention that you can use both varnish and stain on the same project. Apply the stain and allow it to dry and fully cure before applying the first coat of varnish. Most manufacturers recommend waiting about 12 to 24 hours before applying a topcoat to stain.
The answer is yes. Staining over varnish is workable and can produce pretty amazing finishes. The process of applying stain over a varnish coat is called glazing.
Wood stain dries faster in warmer, mild conditions with lower humidity levels. How long do you need to wait before sealing wood after staining? For best results, wait at least 24 hours before sealing the wood.
When preparing wood for stain, you'll need to sand its surface. Use a sanding sponge or orbital sander. Sandpaper with a lower grit number will make wood rougher, allowing more stain to absorb and creating a darker color. Start with 120-grit sandpaper for pieces that already have a finish.
We recommend using Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 for glossy surfaces like varnished wood. Zinsser Bulls Eye is a 'bond coat' primer that's great for hard-to-stick surfaces as it offers excellent adhesion without sanding.
Use a paper towel to remove excess wood stain immediately after applying it.
If your really want to stain the wood, your best option is to seal the wood with Zinsser's Sealcoat first, then apply either Polyshades or gel stain to the wood. As described above, these products sit on top of the wood, and therefore don't need to be absorbed into the wood.
Our top recommendation for removing paint is Citristrip. This paint remover is effective at removing several types of paint and varnish, including latex-based paint, oil-based paint, shellac, varnish, and polyurethane.
Apply boiled linseed oil to a clean, soft, lint-free rag. Linseed oil gives wood a soft, wet look, naturally darkening the existing finish while moisturizing. The finish darkens further as it ages.
Remove all dirt, oils, grease and wax with paint thinner or other appropriate cleaners/dewaxers. Fill openings and nail holes with filler. Sand along grain of the wood, with sandpaper grit and tools appropriate to the particular project. Vacuum clean and/or wipe surfaces with a tack rag.
The answer to the question “how does vinegar remove varnish from wood” is via its acidic properties, which are 100% natural.
A heat gun works similarly to a stripper, by softening and loosening the varnish to make it easier to remove. A heat gun won't scorch the wood but you will still need to scrape off the varnish or paint.
Use an oil-based primer. The primer will deal the wood and prevent any bleed-through. This should dry within one to two hours. The smell of oil primer can be unpleasant, but it works well.
Which Zinsser primer to use on varnished wood? The areas to be decorated should be primed with one full coat of Zinsser B-I-N Primer Sealer, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, allowing a minimum drying time of 45 minutes (in normal drying conditions).
Just apply the primer directly on top of the varnished wood, let it dry for a couple of hours, and then apply the paint of your choice on top of the primer. The primer will create a bond, that will make the paint stick to the wooden surface extremely well even if it hasn't been sanded before.
The best way to apply stain is with a lint free rag and wiping it into the grain of the wood. Using a lint free rag is the best way to apply wood stain because it is great for controlling the amount of stain that is applied and for removing any excess stain.
Without diligent and effective preparation, your refinished product is up against obstacles like dust, wax, existing stain or irregularities in the wood surface. Fight as you will – if you don't spend a bit of time making sure the wood surface is clean, your end result isn't going to live up to expectations.
The best way to know when you're done sanding is to scribble a light pencil line across your wood before you start. Once the line is gone, move up to the next grit. Repeat up to the highest grit sandpaper, then wet your wood with mineral spirits to confirm there are no remaining marks.
We always recommend two coats of stain for any wood project, but you should only apply as much stain as the wood can absorb. Extremely dense hardwoods may only be able to absorb one coat of wood stain. The general rule of thumb is to apply only as much deck stain as the wood can absorb.
Varnish, on the other hand, is a clear barrier that offers protection to the wood. It usually doesn't significantly change the color of the wood, although oil-based varnishes usually “warm” the wood up a little bit (aka, add a warmer tint.)
Wipe the stain off immediately if you'd like a lighter tone. But for a deeper tone, leave the stain on the wood for 5 to 10 minutes before wiping it off. Be sure to wipe off all the excess stain going in the direction of the grain of the wood.