Exceptional craftsmanship is one thing we stand for here at Valor. But then, who’s around after a hardwood installation or major remodel to tell you what to do (or not to do) with those installations the next time you think about “changing something up?”
I had an interesting question come in recently, and it’s that question that got me thinking about this, so let me be more specific. If you have wood installations in your home that you love—like hardwood flooring, custom cabinetry, or crown molding you gladly show off—do you know whether it’s a good idea to paint over those wood features later? Once you start thinking about a paint color you’d love to see “pop” in a space, have you hesitated to paint any of those wood fixtures in your home?
The Belleville neighbor who asked me this question got me thinking, how many people really do know the “dos” and “don’ts” of painting over wooden features in their homes?
That number’s about to get a lot bigger, because I’m going to spell it out for you.
Painting over wood features—can it be done?
Is it right to paint over bare wood features just because that old-timey look has gone out of fashion?
The first factor we need to consider comes down to the quality of the wood—including if there’s already paint on the surface. This will determine how much time will be needed to get a good finish on the fixture, which is essential before painting it.
That said, painting over wood in a home is a big call. Yes, it can be done, but it has to be done with a little extra care.
How can you prep wood features for painting?
To prepare wood features to get slathered in interior paint, first there has to be a clear stain or varnish on it. This means you’ll need a surface sealer applied before busting out the paint cans.
If your wood feature is already sealed, that seal has to be in good condition: no flaking, peeling or cracking anywhere. If it is looking good, you can put the new surface sealer right on top and then the paint on top of that.
Be prepared to sand off a sealer that’s in bad shape before applying two fresh coats of seal pre-painting, if necessary.
And the final verdict on painting over wood features in the home? It’s primarily up to homeowner preference, but the wood and sealer conditions matter, too.
Interested in painting a wood feature in your home? Schedule an appointment online with Valor today!
