Painting Wooden Furniture

[boxtops]

Advice please. I have just painted a pine drawer unit to match the laminate doors in my kitchen (and very pleased I am with the result). If you paint wood, are you supposed to varnish it afterwards, to protect the paint, or leave it as is?

[tonyav]

You can do either, boxy. A coat of varnish will help to protect the paintwork though. There are various finishes of varnish to choose from.

[jomifl]

If you use gloss or satin paint there is no need to varnish it. Matt paint especially light colours gets grubby easily and is more difficult to clean.

[boxtops]

Thanks for your answers. the paint is satin finish, so I think I'll leave it for now and see how I get on - if it starts getting marked, I can touch it up then varnish.

[The Builder]

If you do go for varnishing later, Boxers, stay clear of traditional polyurethane varnishes. Everything will go slightly brown. That "nicotine" look used in "Irish" pubs. ;o)

Much better to use something like a floor varnish. Perfectly colourless, and protected from UV rays that cause discolouration.

Maybe ... Junckers "Strong", or Dulux "Diamond"

[tamborine]

Best without varnish as you can touch up marks easier, without the bother of clearing varnish.

[Mark42]

What I can suggest is to buy high quality cabinet drawer fronts. You'll have no problems with them. For example, my wife and I made an order here: https://www.cabinetdoordepot.com/Wood_Drawer_Fronts