Denise is totally correct about the possibility of bleed through with old, dark furniture finishes. I experienced it first-hand with white Annie Sloan challk paint over an old piece that had a reddish mahogany-like finish on it. It is extremely frustrating to spend the time painting and then find there is a pink stain bleeding through your paint so save yourself a ton of time and headaches and spray or paint your piece with Shellac first. Don't even bother with any other product. I tried a stain-blocking primer first and it didn't work; I still had the bleed through problem. Shellac is what the Annie Sloan chalk paint website recommends. Answer from Shari on hometalk.com
Annie Sloan
anniesloan.com › techniques & tips › how to: upcycle pine furniture using chalk paint™
How to Upcycle Pine Furniture with Chalk Paint - Techniques | Annie Sloan
5 November 2025 - If you’re looking for the best ... Chalk Paint™. Annie Sloan first developed this brand of furniture paint in 1990 specifically to go over surfaces like varnished pine without the need for priming first....
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Denise is totally correct about the possibility of bleed through with old, dark furniture finishes. I experienced it first-hand with white Annie Sloan challk paint over an old piece that had a reddish mahogany-like finish on it. It is extremely frustrating to spend the time painting and then find there is a pink stain bleeding through your paint so save yourself a ton of time and headaches and spray or paint your piece with Shellac first. Don't even bother with any other product. I tried a stain-blocking primer first and it didn't work; I still had the bleed through problem. Shellac is what the Annie Sloan chalk paint website recommends.
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It will stick to it but there may be a few other problems. If you use a light color paint, the dark wood might bleed through. And if you use a water base poly on top to seal it, it may give you a crackle affect which you may or may not want. To eliminate these problems, seal it with a coat of shellac first and then use your chalk paint. That should prevent bleeding and crackling.
Videos
09:11
Color Washing HACK with Chalk Paint to Eliminate Wood Tones | Muting ...
15:38
Testing Annie Sloan Chalk Paint! // Sanding? Primer? Laminate? ...
16:22
Chalk Paint and Stained Wood Dresser Makeover - YouTube
11:19
Chalk Paint for Beginners & Java Gel Stain Tutorial - YouTube
Quora
quora.com › Can-chalk-paint-go-over-varnished-wood
Can chalk paint go over varnished wood? - Quora
I devised my own “chalk paint” by mixing plaster of Paris with emulsion and it makes a thicker paint that can be applied to unprepared wood surfaces and it covers dents to some extent.
Decorator's Forum
thedecoratorsforum.com › how-to-paint-over-varnished-wood
How to Paint Over Varnished Wood - Decorator's forum UK
24 May 2025 - If you feel brave you can layer colours with chalk paint and sand through to bring under colours to the surface creating some spectacular finishes. This takes a bit more patience but can really pay off once you have a grip on the process.
Screwfix Community Forum
community.screwfix.com › forums › screwfix community forum › painters' talk
Painting over varnished surface. | Screwfix Community Forum
12 September 2018 - I did not need to remove the varnish. Sanded very lightly to give a key. Bullsye 123 primer Dulux Trade gloss oil based paint because it was outside. (You could use Water based gloss for indoor) Still looking good 5 years later. No chips, peeling or fading. You could use Chalk Paint.
Smashed Peas & Carrots
smashedpeasandcarrots.com › home › furniture rehab: painting over varnished wood
Furniture Rehab: Painting Over Varnished Wood - Smashed Peas & Carrots
3 January 2014 - I just wiped the bench clean with a damp cloth and then painted the chalk paint right on top, no prep work! You can still see the varnished bench underneath one coat of paint, and from what the ladies over at Tattered Tiques told me this is normal. Usually laminate or varnished wood needs two layers of ASCP.
Porch Daydreamer
porchdaydreamer.com › home › paint tutorials › yes! you can use chalk paint over stain
Yes! You Can Use Chalk Paint Over Stain | Porch Daydreamer
13 January 2025 - Transform a stained piece of furniture easily with chalk paint! You can apply chalk paint over just about any finish to create a matte finish painted french country look.
Fantastic Services
blog.fantasticservices.com › home improvement › how to paint varnished wood [everything you need to know]
How to Paint Varnished Wood - Guide by Fantastic Services UK
29 January 2025 - Use chalk paint over varnished wood. If you like the chick, ultra-matte vintage look, or you are not sure in your DIY skills, the adhesive chalk paint is the perfect choice for your wooden piece.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/woodworking › painting over varnished wood bed, prep work?
r/woodworking on Reddit: Painting over varnished wood bed, prep work?
21 March 2021 -
I’m going to be painting over my varnished would bed this weekend, I have some light grey chalk paint, what kind of prep work is needed for varnished wood?
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Sand it to key the varnish, ideally you'd use some sort of adhesion primer too, I like Zinsser BIN which is shellac based so will stick to anything.
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Opendoorsopenhearts
opendoorsopenhearts.com › home › blog › diy › how to paint over chalk paint | no sanding – beautiful results
How to Paint Over Chalk Paint | No Sanding – Beautiful Results - Open Doors Open Hearts
1 June 2023 - If the furniture doesn’t have wax on top feel free to start painting. But most chalk-painted pieces will be sealed with a wax topcoat.
Bob Vila
bobvila.com › diy › painting & finishing › how to use chalk paint
How to Use Chalk Paint to Upcycle Furniture
21 January 2025 - Preparing furniture to be painted is pretty straightforward: Chalk paint can adhere to most surfaces, so there’s no need to sand wood furniture (even if you’re working with varnished wood pieces), or prime it, before introducing the chalk paint.
Annie Sloan
anniesloan.com › techniques & tips › how to: paint with chalk paint™ – the basics
How to paint furniture with Chalk Paint™ A Beginner's Guide | Annie Sloan
31 May 2022 - Whichever piece of furniture you’re ... can get straight into the fun bit! Chalk Paint™ has incredible sticking power and will go onto almost any surface, even varnished pine or laminate....
Frenchic Paint
frenchicpaint.co.uk › home › frenchic world - ideas & tips › frenchic world - ideas & tips
Upcycle Your Furniture with Chalk Paint in 8 Steps | Frenchic
3 December 2024 - Better yet, chalk paint can be put straight on any type of wood – varnished, unvarnished and even MDF – as well as metals and plastics. Planning to revive your favourite piece of pine furniture?
Houzz
houzz.co.uk › discussions › 3813621 › can-you-varnish-over-chalk-paint
Can you varnish over chalk paint?? | Houzz UK
I've been searching the net for hours trying to find out if you can actually just paint over a chalk paint (rustoleum) with a poly varnish. It's not the same brand. I could wax but I get a blotchy finish and worry it's not durable enough for a dining table top and will mark super easily.
Wood Finishes Direct
wood-finishes-direct.com › home › advice › how to seal chalk paint?
How to Seal Chalk Paint? - Wood Finishes Direct
9 November 2022 - It can also be used on top of a matt or satin varnish, lacquer and oil to increase the sheen level and provide a more traditional wax appearance. It’s ideal for any kind of interior wood and goes over chalk paint like a dream.
Building Institute
buildinginstitute.edu.au › blog-details › how-to-paint-over-varnished-timber
How to Paint Over Varnished Timber
Chalk Paint: Popular for a vintage, matte look. Requires a wax finish for protection. Durability Considerations: For Australian conditions, where wood may be exposed to varying temperatures and humidity, oil-based paints are often preferred for their durability.
Mumsnet
mumsnet.com › home › talk › property/diy
is there a way to paint over varnished wood | Mumsnet
21 January 2016 - Yeah chalk paint - I've used annie sloan it's very popular atm, just search on here for advice. You do have to varnish or wax it which is a bit of a bind. ... Annie Sloan Chalk Paint? That goes over pretty much anything without prepping but it depends whether you want a chalk finish or not.
YouTube
youtube.com › watch
Chalk Painting Furniture with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint - YouTube
Chalk painting furniture is an amazing way to transform your outdated furniture. In this makeover, we'll be sharing tips and tricks on how to use chalk paint...
Published 27 January 2023
YouTube
youtube.com › watch
Testing Annie Sloan Chalk Paint! // Sanding? Primer ...
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
nobenidormcom
nowbenidorm.com
Painting varnished furniture with chalk store paint
Painting varnished furniture with chalk store paint
nowbenidorm.com Recommended Product: ... Home store, Chalk Painted Furniture store, Layering Chalk Paint Salvaged Inspirations store, Can chalk paint go over varnished wood Quora store, How to Use Chalk Paint DIY Guide Bob Vila store, Creating a Rustic Aged look Painting Furniture ... Painting varnished furniture with chalk store paint