Can You Paint Over Polyurethane?

Trends in home décor change quickly and often, and painting is the most cost effective and easiest way to keep up with them.

But when items have a coat of polyurethane, which forms a plastic-like surface that resists paint, what can you do?

The answer is simple: painting over polyurethane requires that you properly prepare the wood or other type of surface. And that’s good news considering it’s one of the most popular materials used in home furnishings like tables, bedding, cabinets, and more.

Keep in mind that if you don’t prepare the polyurethane surface, all the paint you apply will end up peeling off your project, which is a huge waste of your time and effort.

Read on to learn about polyurethane, the materials needed to paint over it, and how to complete the process successfully:

• What polyurethane is?
• Recommended supplies for painting over polyurethane.
• How to paint over polyurethane.

What Polyurethane Is

Polyurethane creates a hard, durable topcoat that is put on a variety of materials, like kitchen cabinets, to help protect the wood from scratches and scuffing. It can also be found on wood floors, doors, and furniture.

Polyurethane creates a high-gloss finish — and it’s usually applied in multiple coats to ensure a strong barrier is formed.

Repainting kitchen cabinets that have this finish is the most common challenge for DIYers, so we’ll focus on that type of project in this article.

Recommended Supplies for Painting Over Polyurethane

Along with a little elbow grease, making sure you have everything you need will make your project go that much smoother and result in a project you’re happy with.

Some common supplies used for painting over polyurethane:

• Clean, lint-free cloths
• Mineral spirits
• Wood filler
• Protective face mask
• Gloves
• Protective eyewear
• Fine-grade sandpaper
• Liquid sandpaper (optional)
• Paintbrushes
• Oil-based primer
• Oil-based paint*

*A secondary option to consider is acrylic urethane topcoats for painting trim if you can’t find oil-based paint.

Once you’ve gathered all your tools and supplies, it’s time to begin!

How to Paint Over Polyurethane

Many homeowners wonder if they can paint over polyurethane without sanding. Although sanding is the most tedious part of this project, it’s also the most important. Always sand the polyurethane before painting. If you don’t invest time in sanding, your paint over polyurethane project won’t be a success.

Although these how-to painting steps are for kitchen cabinets, they also can be applied to wood floors, doors, or furniture that have a polyurethane finish on them.

Step 1: Safety First

• Always read the labels of the products you are using and follow the recommended safety guidelines. If the product calls for it, wear protective gear such as gloves, a mask, and eyewear to keep your hands, lungs, and eyes protected.
• Whether you’re sanding or painting, always work in a ventilated area.

Step 2: Remove Cabinet Doors, Drawers, and Hardware

• Remove the cabinet knobs and any other hardware.
• If you only have a few cabinets, you can leave the doors in place — otherwise, remove them.

Step 3: Clean and Sand the Surface of the Kitchen Cabinets

• Use mineral spirits to clean the cabinet, wiping it in a circular motion with a clean cloth or rag. This will remove dirt, grime, and stains from the door, allowing for a better paint finish. Use wood filler to fill in any gaps or scratches.
• Sand the surface of the wood: Use fine-grade sandpaper to remove the polyurethane from the cabinet door. You don’t need to remove all of it, just enough that the new paint will adhere to the wood. Continually remove any dust with a clean cloth and mineral spirits. Take your time; this is a very tedious part of the project, but it’s the most important step in preparing the surface for paint.
• Liquid sandpaper alternatively also works well for removing a polyurethane topcoat from cabinet doors. Apply using the directions on the bottle.

Step 4: Prime the Surface

• Apply oil-based paint primer. Using a primer will give your paint a better surface to stick to. The primer also keeps any stains on the wood from coming through the paint.
• Allow the primer to dry overnight for best results. Another coat may be necessary if any wood grain or stain shows through the primer.

Step 5: Paint the Surface

• Paint the first coat and allow it to dry overnight.
• Apply a second coat to make sure the cabinet door is fully painted. Allow this layer to dry for up to 72 hours before adding any hardware.

Professional Help When You Need It

While painting over polyurethane is doable, it is a process that requires some time and effort. However, when done well, it can rejuvenate old-looking cabinets, furniture, and other surfaces. If you like the idea of painting over polyurethane, but don’t want to invest the time and effort, contact the experts at your local Five Star Painting for professional kitchen cabinet painting services. We have the experience, expertise, and attention to detail to get the job done right! Call today or connect with us online for a free estimate.