Can I paint my old varnished wooden bedroom doors white without fully sanding them down, and if so, what type of paint should I use?
Asked by Kerim Numanoğlu 
3 months ago
Last Updated: September 25, 2024
Hey, quick question – do you think I can paint these old wooden doors without sanding them all the way down? I’m thinking of painting them white to match the house. I have two identical bedroom doors. If it’s doable, what kind of paint should I use? Thanks in advance! 😊
Lightly sand (just enough to provide some texture for primer) then apply stix primer. Allow to dry for 24 hours before painting.
I kept the original cabinets from my 1972 home and simply gave them a fresh coat of primer and paint.
‘t forget to apply Zinzer stain blocker before painting.
This paint doesn’t require any sanding or priming – it’s a real time-saver! Perfect for doors, you’ll be really pleased with the results. Want to try painting the knobs with it too? Check out the All-In-One Paint by Heirloom Traditions Group.
We painted these in a previous home. We sold that house a while back but the ones we painted turned out really well.
Here’s a view of the other side. These used to be hollow oak.
Sanding the door… Attaching and nailing trim pieces, caulking, priming, and painting.
I’m really interested in doing something like this too! It looks great!
Sand with 220 grit, then use a tack cloth or vacuum to clean. Apply an oil-based primer such as Zinsser Cover Stain.
I repainted my doors that were similar to yours. You don’t need to fully sand off the varnish. I simply sanded mine lightly to get rid of the gloss. It’s been 5 years and they still look fantastic!
I painted my entire house in a lovely light sand color – 2 coats of primer and 2 coats of white paint! 🥰
If you plan on painting the door knobs, consider switching them out for lever style knobs.
I’d recommend lightly sanding the surface first. Apply a coat of bullseye 123, followed by the paint color of your choice.
Great response, ! I totally agree.
Hey, can I ask how you managed to capture photos of each door in my childhood home?
I went ahead and did this. I skipped sanding out of laziness, but I did apply 3 coats of primer initially, and it’s been 3 years now and the doors still appear brand new.
Try using liquid sandpaper, you can find it at Home Depot. It’s really easy to use and I’ve had good results with paint sticking well.
Make sure to sand and clean any surface you’re planning to paint.
You DON’T necessarily have to sand. 🤦🏻♀️ some of the advice on here makes me cringe. Try using this guy. Start with a Shellac based primer. Just make sure the door is clean and dry. That’s it. Apply the primer with a roller, then paint over it. I GUARANTEE… I’ve painted countless doors this way and sanding isn’t really required.
Hey, do you think it will be okay if works on the wood trim with the matching varnish?
Absolutely. This is the correct primer for this use. Standard primer will simply come off. This will adhere better.
Just be super careful because it’s difficult to remove if you spill or something. Enjoy! 
Thank you so much!! Absolutely. Absolutely. Right ♥️
Absolutely! David hit the nail on the head.
You’re telling me! It sure messes things up and is tough to handle but oh my goodness, fantastic coverage!
Is spot on. You can’t top it for that.
Are you suggesting not sanding? I would say it’s more about not following your inexperienced advice.
I used to run a painting business for years. I have a lot of experience. When using shellac primer, sanding is not needed. It acts as a bonding primer. As I mentioned, I have painted numerous doors using this method. Have you done the same? Do you have experience with this primer? Because if you did, you would know that it is an unnecessary step.
Does that cost millions?
Actually, yes I am. I currently work as a professional painter. If you understood painting, you’d know that the surface needs to be sanded to remove glossiness for the primer to adhere. What do you think the primer will stick to, genius? I’m guessing you’re not in the painting business anymore because you went out of business.
My assumption is she went out of business because she couldn’t handle all the callbacks for her shoddy work.
When the painting is not up to par, you need to sand it down.
Oh my goodness, some of you are just clueless. Lol
I currently own a real estate brokerage. Painting full time is not my idea of fun. And no, I certainly did not go out of business. 😂 The internet never fails to amuse me. Shellac adheres well to shiny surfaces.
Can you please stop giving incorrect advice? These individuals actually reside in these residences! Stick to offering brokerage tips and let the professional painters, such as myself, handle it!
Even better, let’s consult Google
I stand by my advice. I have experience painting many doors and they have held up well. I am still actively involved in home renovations, rentals, and painting. While sanding wouldn’t hurt, it’s not necessary as shellac can bond to glossy surfaces. I have sprayed cabinets for numerous clients with no issues. Let’s move on from this debate. I have other priorities now.
Totally agree, there’s no convincing the foolish.
Is currently trying out Kilz bonding primer, which is easier to use and works really well
Is convinced google knows everything, right?
Is totally on board with this, right?
Are you refinishing cabinets as well?
Absolutely! I’ve refinished many cabinets using this method. The only issue with cabinets is that they can get quite oily from cooking. So, when working on cabinets, it’s important to thoroughly clean and dry them. You can find videos of my cabinet refinishing process on my TikTok @thatflippingrealtor if you’re interested.
I appreciate your help
BIN may not be flawless. Sometimes, it’s still necessary to roughen the surface before applying BIN. It’s also recommended to roughen the glossy BIN finish before painting to ensure proper adhesion. Speaking from personal experience, glossy finishes should always be roughened for better bonding. I frequently rely on BIN, mainly as a sealer. For a reliable bonding primer, I recommend using Bullseye 123.
Before painting, it’s a good idea to apply a coat of Kilz primer. Also, consider checking the prices of the 6-panel doors first. You might be surprised by how affordable they are to upgrade, especially since they come pre-primed. They’re almost as inexpensive as the primer itself.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Masonite-30-in-x-80-in-6-Panel-Textured-Hollow-Core-Primed-Composite-Interior-Door-Slab-16474/100009838
Stix primer
Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! 👍🏼
Since it’s a flat door, you can easily sand it with a pad sander. It will take less time than going through all these comments. After sanding, make sure to prime and paint.
Start by applying a coat of zinnser before painting
That’s what we did! We applied primer first but didn’t sand anything!
You could skip it, but if you want it to stay in good condition for 10-20 years, just do a quick scuff sanding. It’s not a big deal, only takes about 3 minutes. Then apply a stain-blocking primer, followed by painting it in your preferred color. (I used to work as a painter…)
You don’t need to sand it completely down to the bare wood, but I highly suggest taking off the doors from the hinges, removing all hardware such as hinges and handles, cleaning the door, using an oscillating palm sander until it’s just scuffed, then using a block sander to sand all sides with the grain of the wood and slightly round the edges. Get rid of all dust (I usually use a leaf blower), then apply oil-based primer and allow it to cure. Lightly sand over the primer before applying the topcoat paint (a good cabinet paint works best). It may sound like a lot of work, but it actually goes by quickly and will give you the best results.
I personally think that flat doors don’t look as nice when painted compared to paneled doors. Your current doors are really lovely. If you really want white doors, you might be able to get primed paneled doors for the same price you sell those beautiful doors for. The wood on your doors is gaining popularity and admiration.
Agrees with this. This is highly desired. Instead of just offering the standard landlord/flipper special that strips away the home’s character – if you’re selling, potential buyers may actually be drawn to this.
These doors were the lowest quality available. They were manufactured from 1955 to 1980. They are poorly made and just not appealing. Everyone has their own taste. Just because it’s natural wood doesn’t mean it’s attractive. Beauty is subjective. I personally see them as low quality.
Look, when it happens, it will be clear.
In my experience, I recommend sanding them a bit before painting. I painted mine without sanding and they ended up peeling off, requiring repainting. However, the final look is significantly better after proper sanding.
You don’t necessarily have to sand them completely down. Just lightly scuff sand with 320 grit. It’s a quick process with a random orbit sander. Prior to painting, ensure to remove any skin oil by using Krud Kutter degreaser. Opt for urethane primer like STIX and urethane paint (such as Cabinet Coat, Command, Emerald, Aristoshield, DecoGlo) to prevent sticky doors. Advance may not be urethane, but it works well too. Spray painting them will result in a really smooth finish.
I would suggest leaving them unpainted. Your doors will match the floor. Or consider getting primed pannel doors that are ready to paint. We purchased our pannel doors at a Habitat for Humanity re-store.
The bin is quite useful. Additionally, there is a specific product in the display area that can be used in conjunction with Formby’s, Murphy’s soap, and so on. I stumbled upon it unexpectedly.
Definitely try out the Heirlooms All-In-One Paint from Heirloom Traditions!
You have the option to repaint and renovate these doors to give them the appearance of being high-end doors.
Make sure to lightly sand the door for a better final finish…very gently! Quick tip…you can use a drywall sponge sander. Any dirt or rough patches will be discovered and removed for a smooth surface. Feel the door’s surface before and after, and you’ll know it’s ready or if you missed a spot.
True, but it may get chipped and have hand prints on it. Been there, done that.
Swapped out the doors with hollow prehung units. It was quite simple, budget-friendly, had a better appearance, and lasted longer.
A quality bonding primer and trim paint. Finished.
A couple of years back, we tried out SW urethane and it worked great. We used the emerald urethane for the trim.
So here’s the thing – going all white is kind of boring and it takes away from the character and design of your house. If you’re looking to change the stain, just sand it down and restain with a complementary shade.
One issue I notice is that the lighting in your mid-century home is quite harsh. Maybe consider warmer lighting and adding more color to the walls instead.
We have mid-century doors as well, and they look stunning next to warm tones.
You simply need to clean Beyond Paint with some simple green before painting. It may have a long cure time, but trust me, it’s worth it! The only downside is that they claim it’s a one-coat product, but I ended up needing two coats.
They are super affordable mahogany doors. One of them doesn’t even have matching grain. Just paint them. But first, you have to sand them, there’s no way around it. You don’t have to sand them down completely, just create a lightly scoured surface for the new coating to stick to. Start by cleaning them, leave them hanging to prevent warping. Remove the handles and wipe them down with a damp rag, especially around the knob area. Then lightly sand with a sponge sanding pad of 120 or 100 grit, following the grain. Vacuum off the dust. Prime with Kilz or Bin bonding shellac based primer, two coats. Follow the instructions for drying time. Apply two finish coats, ensuring you brush on enough paint without it being too thick. You may need to thin the paint with an extender, especially latex. Avoid overworking the application and do a light sanding between coats. The most common painting mistake is over-brushing and using paint
You could lightly sand the varnish and then apply an oil-based primer before finishing with a latex paint. I’ve had success with Behr semi-gloss or satin finishes to prevent sticking.
Oh, one more thing – remember to tape off the area when you remove the hinges. This way, when you put the hinges back on after painting multiple layers, they won’t stick out too much and cause your doors to rub.
Maybe keep the doors wooden, but switch out the gold handles.
For sure! Just make sure to thoroughly clean the surface and then paint it using an oil-based paint.
Definitely! We actually used liquid sander first, followed by emerald line paint from SW. Surprisingly, we didn’t need any primer. To give them more depth, we included the trim.
Here’s how they appeared prior to painting.
Alyssa
I just want to mention that I believe the doors are lovely as they are!
Consider trying ‘chalk paint’. It provides great coverage and doesn’t require primer. I simply lightly sanded the surface and then used a tack cloth.
Check out Heirloom Traditions Paint.
I personally would opt to sand and stain them using a cooler tone 🤷♀️
No, make sure to sand off the finish first if you’re planning to paint.
Make sure to use a bonding primer
Think twice before painting your doors white. They may look nice at first, but they quickly show dirt and hand grease, which is hard to clean without damaging the paint. It’s a constant struggle to keep them looking clean. Those who like the idea of white doors may not have experienced the reality of living with them.
I’m really happy that I decided to paint my old, orangey wood grain doors. Using high quality cabinet paint in semi gloss and making sure to clean them regularly keeps them looking fantastic. I definitely don’t regret it.
Do people seriously not wash their hands? I have twenty white doors in my house and white kitchen cabinets. They’re clean, just need a wipe down every now and then.
I really enjoy varnished doors, but my current house has white doors that still look new after 23 years. Thank goodness for door handles – they make life so much easier and more convenient!
I’m a bit confused why you’re only painting two doors. Just lightly sand, prime, and paint. It’s not that difficult