Can You Paint Over Polyurethane? The Best Paint For It
- Devin Spahr
- Sep 15
- 5 min read
If you’re looking to refinish cabinets, furniture, or anything with a top coat, you’re probably wondering, “Can you paint over polyurethane?” Polyurethane provides a protective finish to wood and other painted surfaces, but the same qualities that make it a great top coat also make it difficult to paint over. Without proper preparation, like sanding or primer, your new paint job will likely peel, chip, or scratch off within weeks. Luckily, painting over polyurethane is possible–as long as you use the right techniques and materials.
Painting over Polyurethane
A fresh coat of paint or stain does wonders in bringing old cabinetry and furniture to life. While refinishing furniture is a great project for DIYers, you’ll need to take steps to prepare your project if you want a flawless result. You can paint over polyurethane, but you cannot just apply paint directly to the surface if you want it to last. Polyurethane creates a slick, glossy surface that paint doesn’t stick to without the proper preparation.
Supplies Needed
Can you paint over polyurethane? Yes! But you’ll need to pick up some supplies before you get to work, including:
Mild dish soap or TSP for cleaning dirt, oils, and grease
Clean rags
Tack clock
Fine-grit sandpaper or deglosser
Bonding primer
Foam roller
Angled brush
Paint tray and liner
Paint
Painter’s tape
Drop cloths or plastic sheeting
Respirator or mask (recommended if using oil-based products or BIN primer)
Nitrile gloves
Eye protection
How to Paint over Polyurethane
Wear PPE to protect yourself. Many paints, primers, and finishes can release fumes that are harmful if inhaled. Wear a mask or respirator, eye protection, and gloves. Nitrile gloves are better than latex because they are resistant to solvents. If working indoors, it’s a good idea to make sure the room has good ventilation. Open windows and use a fan if needed.
Clean the surface. Use a mild soap and water solution. If working in a greasy area like the kitchen, it’s a good idea to use a degreaser like TSP or a TSP alternative to remove dirt, oils, and dust. Rinse well, as leftover residue can cause primer and paint to fail. Wait until the surface is completely dry before moving on.
Sand the surface. Use a fine-grit sandpaper to lightly sand the polyurethane. The goal is to scuff the surface, not to remove the finish completely. Wipe away the dust with a tack cloth. If you’re working on a large, flat area, an orbital sander can save you time. However, traditional sanding is best for getting into nooks and crannies.
Apply a bonding primer. This step is crucial because primer creates a surface the paint can stick to. Without it, the paint will peel or crack within a short time. Let the primer dry. It also helps hide darker paints and prevents wood tannins from bleeding through. Apply in thin, even coats with a high-density foam roller or a good-quality brush. Don’t overload the brush/roller. Thick primer leads to drips and uneven drying.
Sand again once the primer is fully dry. This hides brush strokes and results in a smoother finish. Use a 320 to 400 grit sandpaper. Wipe clean again with a tack cloth before painting. This step gives you a smooth, professional finish.
Paint the surface. Apply two to three thin coats for best results, letting each coat dry all the way before adding the next. Choose high-quality paints for best results. Use a foam roller for flat surfaces and an angled brush for corners and edges.
Can You Use Acrylic Paint on Polyurethane?
Yes, you can use acrylic paint on polyurethane. Acrylic paints are a popular option since they contain no or low VOCs and are easier to work with than oil-based paints. Plus, because acrylic paint is water-based, it’s easier to clean up than oil-based paints. Just be aware that you’ll need to properly prepare the surface if you want the paint to adhere.
What Paint Will Stick to Polyurethane?
When it comes to painting over polyurethane, just about any paint will work. The key is surface prep and using the right primer–not just the paint itself. Most paints don’t stick directly to polyurethane because of the slick finish. But if you sand and prime, you can use acrylic, enamel, or oil-based paints successfully.
Acrylic: Acrylic paint is a water-based paint that dries quickly, has low fumes, and is easy to work with. It’s also pretty durable, though not as long-lasting as oil-based paint. As long as you sand and apply a bonding primer, you can use an acrylic paint over polyurethane.
Oil-based paint: Oil-based paint is very durable, drying to a hard finish once fully cured. It’s typically more difficult to work with than acrylic paint and has strong fumes. However, many professionals prefer oil-based paints, especially for projects in high-traffic areas. Like acrylic paint, oil-based paint can stick to polyurethane with the right preparation.
Enamel paint: Enamel paint is a hard, durable coating that is known for its smooth, glossy finish and strong resistance to wear and tear. It’s especially ideal for cabinets, doors, baseboards, trim, and molding. Enamel paint dries faster, has less odor, and cleans up with soap and water, but is almost as durable as oil-based paint. With proper preparation, enamel paint works over polyurethane.
Can You Do It Without Sanding?
Yes, you can paint over polyurethane without sanding, but you’ll still need to do some prep work first. If you don’t want to deal with sanding, you can instead use a deglosser, which is also called liquid sandpaper. Deglosser is a chemical solution that is used to dull glossy finishes like polyurethane, varnish, or lacquer so you can apply new paint or stain. Instead of physically sanding the surface, you wipe on a deglosser, which then chemically etches or softens the shiny layer.
Once the deglosser has had time to work, you simply wipe it away. It works pretty quickly and gets into crevices where sandpaper struggles. It’s important to know, however, that deglosser is pretty strong, so you’ll want to protect yourself with eye protection, a mask, and gloves. Additionally, unlike sanding, using a deglosser doesn’t smooth rough surfaces. It just dulls the gloss.
Can You Put Polyurethane over Paint?
You can put polyurethane over paint. In fact, it’s a pretty common way to protect painted surfaces, especially furniture, cabinets, doors, and trim. However, you’ll want to choose the right type of polyurethane to avoid yellowing, peeling, or bubbling. Additionally, it’s important to let the paint fully cure before proceeding. Depending on the type of paint, this could be a couple of days or a few weeks.
Polyurethane comes in both oil-based and water-based varieties. If you’re applying over a white or light-colored paint, you’ll probably want to choose the water-based option, which dries clear. Oil-based polyurethane tends to dry with a yellow tint. For dark-colored paints, oil-based polyurethane can be a great option as it’s extremely durable and long-lasting. If your project is outside, you’ll want to skip the polyurethane, which tends to crack in the sun.
Can You Paint Over Polyurethane: Conclusion
Painting over polyurethane is very doable, as long as you properly sand and prime the surface. If you have a painting project that you’d rather leave to the professionals, Spahr’s Painting is here. We serve customers all throughout Tucson with our high-quality painting services. Whether you’re looking to paint a bedroom, cabinets, or your exterior, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today for an estimate!
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