Can You Paint Over Stained Wood? Solved!

Faded wood stain can take the life out of treasured old pieces. Fortunately, reviving your old wood surfaces is easier than you might think. Start by cleaning the surface of your wood, removing things like dust and cobwebs. Then, lightly sand the surface with fine grain sandpaper. From there, rub the surface down with a rag dipped in deglosser, which will strip off the finish. Finally, repair any holes or scratches with wood filler, then apply a new coat of primer.

Key Takeaways:

Start by cleaning the surface of your stained wood to clear it of dust, soil, or cobwebs.
Once clean, you can dull the stain by lightly sanding the surface with fine grain sandpaper.
Wipe the surface down with deglosser, also known as liquid sandpaper, to strip the wood's finish.

“Before you prep, determine the type of wood stain (oil- or water-based) that you’re dealing with by lightly sprinkling water on a small patch of the wood surface.”