If you’ve ever wondered if you can paint without without sanding, I have the solution for you! Liquid Sandpaper! You can paint over stained wood, painted wood and so much more with this simple method.
Through the years, I have received the questions “can wood be painted without sanding”, “can cabinets be painted without sanding”, and “can trim be painted without sanding”? The answer is YES!
A few years ago, I discovered liquid sander deglosser. It’s a life changing product that has been around for years, but I just never noticed it nestled in on the shelf at the home improvement store.
To get paint to adhere to wood, you have to sand it, to rough up the surface. This allows the paint to grip the surface, especially with anything that’s varnished.
Liquid sandpaper dulls a glossy surface, with far less effort! It’s a great alternative to sandpaper that provides that same “rough” surface for paint to adhere.
A liquid sander deglosser brushes on quick and easy to remove the finish. It giving it a rough texture without the effort. You can save yourself a lot of time and purchase it online here.
What Surfaces Is Liquid Sander Deglosser Good For?
Painting over stained wood can be such a chore! I should know. We have painted dark cabinets, trim and doors in multiple homes now. You can easily paint over stained wood – if you sand first. It can take a long time. But who has time for that?
Whether you are painting over stained wood, lacquered wood or existing paint, you can use deglosser so that the new paint will properly adhere.
We have tested liquid sandpaper on:
Cabinets
Remove cabinet doors and hardware to ensure you coat all surfaces of your cabinet. This works on dark wood, light wood, even previously painted cabinets.
Trim and Moldings
Trim tends to experience a lot of wear and tear. Even the darkest stained wood can benefit from liquid sander deglosser and be primed and painted white or the color of your choice!
Furniture
Give a piece a facelift using liquid sander. Remove hardware. Make sure you do any drawers or cabinet doors separately to get all surfaces and corners.
Doors
Remove hardware and take it off of hinges to get all surfaces. This even works on inexpensive hollow core doors.
Liquid Sandpaper Test
- Apply it as described below.
- Prime and paint a small area and allow the paint to dry.
- With your fingernail or coin, do a scratch test to ensure that the paint adhered to the wood properly.
Benefits of Using Liquid Sander Deglosser
- Save time – If you’ve ever sanded, you know just how time consuming it can be.
- Saves money – This costs about $9 and uses a paint brush. Sandpaper and sanding pads (or sanders) can really add up. One bottle of this goes a long way!
- Easier – Unlike sandpaper, liquid sandpaper can easily get into nooks, crannies and crevices. It also doesn’t require any special tools or elbow grease.
Learn how to paint without sanding in the video below:
How to Paint Without Sanding
See below for the printable diy instructions. This was a glossy varnished buffet and you can see how dull it is after the deglosser. Work in a well ventilated area.
- Using the deglosser, apply with a paint brush over the surface of the wood. You can see how it dulled the stained wood in the image below.
- Allow it to penetrate the wood for 15 minutes.
- Wipe it off with a lint free cloth. Then you’re ready to prime and paint!
It’s the easiest sanding shortcut and I’ve found it to be very effective! It hasn’t failed me yet!
From here you can prime and paint using your favorite oil based or latex paint. (I use a water based latex paint).
You may have seen my pin how to paint without sanding on Pinterest…you can pin it here to save this idea for later!
More Paint Projects and Tips You’ll Love
You may also like my favorite paint colors.
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How to Paint Without Sanding
An easy shortcut to paint wood without sanding for a durable finish.
Materials
Tools
- paint brush
- cloth
Instructions
- Brush deglosser on wood to cover entire surface.
- Allow it to penetrate the wood for 15 minutes.
- Wipe it off with a cloth.
Notes
Prime and paint as usual!
Note: This was originally posted February 2015.
Thanks for this tutorial! We have the same saw and my husband and I love it too! I am glad you stressed the importance of the clamp..I have seen ours but have never used it…but I will now!I appreciate your guidelines. It’s nice information for us.
An earlier comment mentioned about sealing the stain. You said you did prior to painting. How did you do it?
My mom want a me to paint just the top of her dining room table black! (The table is old and has a medium color wood stain).
Thanks!
You just apply it with a paint brush, allow it to dry and it allows your coat of paint to adhere.
I can’t wait to try this!!
Omg I will try it!!
Looking forward to attempting painting a dresser! Thanks for your great info!
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I’m doing some research on painting. I have an old coffee table and I want to paint it. Now I know how to do that.
i want to to take a old darlk dresser and stain it white is it hard to do , and can you remove the paint without stain it
Not at all! I’ve painted several black pieces white without issue. I would recommend using a paint with a primer or a primer before hand.
It’s really amazing to know more about paint without sanding. I love this idea ’cause it saves a lot of time and effort. Thanks for sharing
Hello Julie – Can you tell me the color of the blue cabinet above? I love that color and it is so hard to choose once you’re at the paint store. Thanks so much – Julie
Of course! https://julieblanner.com/creating-a-functional-office/
I just bought this after reading about your experiences with it, and I am very excited to try my first few tries at painting wood furniture, while feeling a bit more confident due to your blog. Thanks for the recommendations and advice here!
Yay Carolyn, it holds up to our kiddos, so I’ confident you’re going to love it.
I have been around the block a time or two and have seen the ‘strip and refinish all wood’ craze of the 20th century to the latest ‘paint it all’ mania. I must say that some furniture does look better painted than brown, but some wood grains and inlaid pieces are too lovely to be hidden. I predict that in ten years we’ll all be criticized for ‘slathering good pieces with gallons of paint’ and the rubber gloves and stripper cans will be in full use.
I agree! I’m actually stripping a piece as we speak!
I’m not a fan of painted furniture myself but I have done it before. I will definitely be using the deglosser. That is super cool. Thanks for posting!
I often cringe at painted furniture, but from time to time do it myself. I’m integrating a lot of wood into our new home. The deglosser is a life changer!
What do you do about sealing the stain? Doesn’t it have the likelihood of rubbing off, since it does not penetrate the painted surface?
I use it prior to painting and haven’t had an issue at all!
I’m new here, but really love your style! Would be so happy to know what color / brand paint you used on that blue buffet in the first picture of this post. It’s wonderful! Thank you!
Welcome! Of course…https://julieblanner.com/creating-a-functional-office/
I have the exact same piece you painted blue. I am in the process of stripping the veneer off the drawers. To damaged to save. Now I am at the point should I stain it or paint it .
Tough choices! I’m sure either would be beautiful.
Have you heard of Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint? No need to sand, strip ANYTHING.
It’s water based and adheres beautifully. Wonderful stuff!
Yes, I used to use it all the time – it’s amazing!
Can I ask why you stopped? Was it the price? I have an old wooden headboard from the 70s my MIL gave to my for my 4 year old and I would love to paint it white or powder blue. I cannot believe how expensive chalk paint is, but I also don’t feel like stripping and sanding the entire thing just to paint it white. If I were to use the de-glosser, could I just then paint over it with a latex wall paint? (I have a ton of sample pints from painting some walls blue). Would I also need a topcoat of some sort. Sorry for the long post!!! Thanks for your help!
I just love original wood pieces and they’re becoming more and more rare. I do love the occasional painted piece, but in the age of veneers, I like to keep hardwood furniture original.
Valspar has an affordable chalk paint now at Lowe’s!
I have solid oak bookcase that is varnished. I would like very much to paint the bookcase.
Do you any specific recommendations for me.
Thanks
You also mix your own chalk paint, using paint, plaster of paris, & water.
Hi Julie, does this work over painted surfaces or just varnished wood?
It works on painted as well! Enjoy!
I agree…wood and painted is the way to go. I’m trying the deglosser next. thanks
Great anti-sanding tip. I have done the same – strip wood pieces that I have painted! I personally love a mix of wood and painted pieces. I just found your blog and love it!
Welcome, Jo! So happy to have you! Glad I’m not the only crazy lady! I’m definitely into wood right now.
i used this deglosser to stain our railings on our staircase a darker stain. It made life much easier not having to stain.
Awesome tip! I need to try this stuff.
I love painted pieces. Although I don’t have the time for it. I like the different colors you can make something. But natural is good too!