Lacquer is a form of varnishing texture that is usually used on metal and wood. Lacquer varnish is most popular in certain parts of Asia. There are also different kinds of lacquer available that are used for different purposes.
Today, we are going to find out whether one can paint over lacquer or not.
Can you paint over lacquer?
One can paint over lacquer surface and material. Lacquer surface and material need to be properly sanded with sanding paper before one can apply paint over them. But all kinds of paints do not adhere to lacquer surface material. Oil-based paints work best on lacquer furniture and metal.
Let’s look at different lacquered varnished elements and discuss whether you can paint over them.
Lacquer kitchen cabinets and furniture:
You can paint over kitchen cabinets and furniture. But it takes a lot of preparation. Oil-based paints and primers are set more quickly and easily on lacquer kitchen cabinets and furniture. It is also more durable than water-based paints and primers.
First of all, you will have to clean the lacquer kitchen cabinets and furniture with a mixture of water and Trisodium Phosphate solution and let them dry. The kitchen cabinets and furniture will need to be sanded next with a sanding pad.
Before painting over lacquer kitchen cabinets and furniture, you will need to apply a primer. The primer helps the paint to set over the lacquer more easily. Dust and dirt need to be removed before applying the paint.
You can then use paint rollers to paint the lacquer kitchen cabinets and furniture. The detached doors and drawers will have to be painted too.
Lacquer car paint:
Lacquer is not recommended by experts to be used on cars. Because it is not adaptable on the surface of the car as it needs a smooth surface to set more firmly. But you can paint over lacquer car paint. Oil-based car paints and primers will be helpful in this process.
The body of the car will need to be sanded before applying oil-based primer and paint.
As lacquered is not so durable on cars, most experts suggest sanding the whole lacquer off rather than painting over it.
Lacquered metal:
You can paint over lacquered metal if you follow the correct steps. These steps include sanding off the rust and corrosion from the metal surface. You will then need to apply primer and paint on that sanded met surface and wait for it to dry.
Applying paint over lacquered metal is considered to be effective as metal surfaces are suited for lacquered paint.
Lacquered MDF:
Lacquered MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) can be painted over. Lacquered MDF is a wood material and needs to be painted over like a lacquered wood. Before applying paint and primer, you will need to sand the lacquered MDF properly to make the surface smooth.
A smooth surface will help the paint and primer to set more effortlessly onto the Lacquered MDF.
Can you paint over lacquer with chalk paint?
Chalk paint is an effective paint on almost all kinds of surfaces. The lacquer surface is no different. Chalk paint can easily be applied on lacquer surfaces. The lacquer surface will need to be sanded to remove dust and dirt.
Sanding the lacquer surface will make it more smooth as well. Before applying the chalk paint, you will need to apply a chalk paint primer on the lacquer surface or material.
Chalk paint stays good on the lacquer surfaces for a long time if it is applied properly. You can apply chalk paint on lacquer kitchen, furniture, metal, and MDF.
The adhesion of chalk paint on the lacquer surface when it is painted over is remarkable.
Can you paint over lacquer with latex?
You can apply latex paint over lacquer. But latex paint does not adhere to the lacquer surface as easily as other paints. That is why latex paint over lacquer surface is not recommended even if it can be done.
The latex-painted lacquer kitchen cabinets, furniture, MDF, and metal are not durable and often become covered with scratches.
But in the event that you need to paint latex paint over a lacquer surface, you will have to sand the surface before applying latex primer and paint.
Can you use acrylic paint over lacquer?
Acrylic paint is another paint that does not do well on lacquer surfaces and materials. The reason behind this is that acrylic paint is water-based and oil-based paints do better on lacquer surfaces than water-based paints.
This disadvantage makes it difficult for acrylic paint to adhere to the lacquer surface.
But if you need to apply acrylic paint over lacquer kitchen cabinets, furniture, MDF, and metal, then you will need to sand the surface before applying coats of acrylic primer and paint.
Can you spray urethane, latex, or enamel paint over lacquer?
Urethane paint should not be sprayed over the lacquer surface at any cost. Because these two components can react well together.
Spraying urethane paint can damage your lacquer surface and material. Lacquer kitchen cabinets, furniture, MDF, and metal will lose their shine if you spray urethane over them.
Latex paint can be sprayed on a lacquer surface. You will need to sand the lacquer surface and apply a primer before you spray latex paint over lacquer furniture and metal.
On the other hand, enamel paint is a great choice that can be sprayed on lacquer surfaces. They set out on lacquer kitchen cabinets, furniture, MDF, and metal very easily and stay good for a long time.
Can you put oil-based paint over lacquer?
You can apply all kinds of oil-based paint over lacquer surface and material. In fact, oil-based paints adhere more naturally to the lacquer surface and material than water-based paints.
That is why experts recommend oil-based paints to be applied over lacquer kitchen cabinets, furniture, MDF, and metal.
The lacquer surface needs to be sanded with sanding paper to make it more smooth. Oil-based paints set out more effective on smooth lacquer surfaces. The lacquer surface needs to be cleaned to free it from dirt and dust.
A clean and smooth lacquer surface will be ideal for oil-based paints.
Can you paint over lacquer without sanding?
Sanding is absolutely necessary if you are aiming to paint over lacquer. If you do not sand the lacquer surface and material, the paint will struggle to adhere to its surface. That is why lacquer furniture, kitchen cabinets, MDF, and metal need to be sanded before painting over them.
Sanding is required to remove any dust and dirt from the lacquer surface. Sanding makes the lacquer surface smooth and the paint can set over it easily as a result. If you want your paint to last for a long time on a lacquer surface, you will need to take the help of sanding.
What kind of paint can go over lacquer?
Not all kinds of paint can go over lacquer. Let’s discuss some of the paints that can be used over lacquer surface and material.
Enamel paint:
Enamel paint is an oil-based paint. That is why enamel paint can set out easily on the lacquer surface. Lacquer furniture owners enjoy the smooth finish that enamel paint provides lacquer surface and material.
The lacquer surface needs to be sanded and a coat of primer needs to be applied before enamel paint can be used over the lacquer surface and material.
Chalk paint:
Chalk paint is another kind of paint that can go over lacquer surface and material. Some suggest that chalk paint can be applied over the lacquer surfaces without sanding. But it is not recommended as it can damage the lacquer furniture.
Chalk paint is known for being durable on lacquer surfaces and materials for a long time.
Latex paint:
Latex paint can go over lacquer surface and material if it is applied properly. Lacquer surface and material need to be sanded before you can use latex paint. You will also have to use a primer before applying latex paint.
Latex paint does not stay good on the lacquer surfaces for a long time and needs to be repainted.
Sheenpaint:
Sheen paints such as matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high gloss can also go over lacquer if they are applied properly. Lacquer kitchen cabinets, furniture, MDF, and metal have to be sanded before you can apply primer and sheen paint.
Milk paint:
Milk paint can also go over lacquer kitchen cabinets, furniture, MDF, and metal. The lacquer surface and material go well with milk paint despite being water-based paint.
Final Thoughts
Extra coats of paint can be applied over lacquer surface and material. Latex paint, milk paint, chalk paint, enamel paint, and sheen paint adhere to the surface lacquer more easily than other paints. Sanding and applying a primer is essential before painting over lacquer furniture and metal.