Stained surfaces are usually sealed with varnish or glossy finishes.
Can You Paint Over Varnished Wood Furniture. How to paint over stained / varnish wood without sanding. You can paint over varnished wood, but there may be obstacles in your way.
Furniture Rehab: Painting Over Varnished Wood - Smashed Peas & Carrots from 3.bp.blogspot.com
Painting wood furniture has to be one of the best ways to transform it on a dime (hello, flea market finds!), but sanding it first can be a real pain. Avoiding sanding and priming prep surfaces with varnish, polyurethanes, or other sealants or finishes require sanding before any paint can be. With some preparation and paint, you can transform your wooden furniture and surfaces like furniture, staircases, and flooring.
I want to paint a door and door frame that have been varnished.
In the same direction the wood grain is running in, not against it. Painting varnished wood involves thorough prep work to get a durable, professional finish. Stained surfaces are usually sealed with varnish or glossy finishes. Refinishing furniture is fun and economical but sanding can be tedious.