Can I Refinish Over Existing Finish?

Oct 20, 2006 3 Replies
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First reply

dadiOH

I neglected your other questions... Generally best but only really necessary if it is shiny or the varnish is bad. No. The new coat will slightly dissolve the existing and merge with it. In both cases, be sure the surface is free of grit & grime.

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I have a wooden kitchen table and a wooden windowsill that I would like to refinish because they have losed most of the shine and I need to put a coat of finish over their surface to protect them. Their condition are not bad; therefore, I don't want to remove all the existing finish and refinish them. I am thinking of putting a coat of the same finish over the existing finish. Can I do that?



Based on the solvent-test using paint thinner, I believe the finish on the kitchen table is varnish. Can I simply rub a coat of varnish over the surface? Do I need to sand the surface first?



Based on the solvent-test using lacquer thinner, I believe the finish on the windowsill is lacquer. Can I simply rub a coat of lacquer over the surface? Do I need to sand the surface first? I hope that I don't need to sand the surface; otherwise, I will need to re-stain the whole thing.



Thanks in advance for any info.



Jay Chan



Sure. Just clean well first and - if necessary - kill any shine by sanding.

I neglected your other questions...

Generally best but only really necessary if it is shiny or the varnish is bad. ______________

No. The new coat will slightly dissolve the existing and merge with it. ____________

In both cases, be sure the surface is free of grit & grime.

kitchen table and the windowsill.

Jay Chan

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