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Painting over varnished doors

Posted by Cheryl Tomlinson, on
I want to paint over varnished doors and skirting boards can I use nitro moors to remove varnish or just sandpaper and paint over?
stephen paxman

stephen paxman

hello. dont remove the varnish the best thing to do is sand then use dulux difficult surface primer(2 coats). lightly sand inbetween coats then again before applying an oil based top coat (eggshell) is good. have done this a few times for customers works really well. stephen.
Phillip Vorster

Phillip Vorster

A good sanding down will usually work followed by an udercoat and then your topcoats, but there is a product to help you if you dont want do go through all that hard labour called ZINSSER and look for the product that is Shellac based to go onto smooth surfaces without sanding.
Andrew Smith

Andrew Smith

Hi Cheryl, to remove the varnish is messy and time consuming as you will still need to sand down and remove varnish from all the mouldings(if any). If not Zinsser (a specialist primer Co) do a primer that requires no sanding for varnshed surfaces. Any independant paint suppliers or Dulux or Crown centres should sell it.. Andy
Nish Maroo

Nish Maroo

Instructions 1. Use a sand paper P60 lightly over the surface of the wood to remove varnish and wipe dust from the wood with a clean cloth. 2. Pour the paint stripper onto a medium-width paint brush. Brush the paint stripper over the wood. Put the stripper on thick, and do not miss any spots on the wood. Allow the stripper to remain on the wood for 10 minutes, or however long indicated on the paint stripper container. 3. Scrape the loosened varnish from the wood. Lay the scraper at a slight angle to the wood and scrape through the varnish, removing as much as possible. Positioning the scraper at a slight angle allows you to remove the varnish without digging into the wood. 4. Rub a steel wool pad over the wood to remove any remaining varnish. Use an old toothbrush to reach into grooves or carvings in the wood. 5. Wipe residue from the wood with clean rags. Tips and warnings 1. Use a second coat of paint stripper if all the varnish does not release from the wood the first time. 2. Wear rubber gloves and protective eye wear when using paint stripper to avoid burns. 3. Use the paint stripper outside if possible as it can give off toxic fumes. If you have to use it inside the home, open windows and turn on a fan for better ventilation. I hope you do understand this or otherwise please log on to Rated People website and place an advert for the job and you will get a decorator to help you out. Thank you. Regards, Nish
Tony Priestley

Tony Priestley

Hi, In answer to your question regarding painting over varnish doors, Mitro can be used but it is very messy, an alternative is to sand back well then apply a blocker such as zinsar available from most outlets, then apply your undercoat followed by the top coat, this should overcome your problem. Tony.

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