How do i paint over a fire surround that has been wood varnished

Posted by Lorraine or Alan Booth, on Mon 25 Nov 2013 10:00am

How do i paint over a fire surround that has been varnished/wood stained?. I cannot use an electric sander as i have asthma, can it be rubbed down manually? thank you for your help

Anthony Edmunds / Kalveena Griffiths

Tue 03 Dec 2013 06:35pm

Hi Lorraine I would use a fairly course wet and dry abrasive paper normally used for cars. Use it wet with A sponge and water and there will be no dust. Then a sealer primer like Zinsser (all available from B&Q) two oil based under oats and two coats of your chosen finishing coat ie either a satinwood or eggshell finish all oil based don t use quick drying acrylics. A light rub down with the wet and dry and a wipe with a chamois or tack rag before the final Coat.

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Allan Russell

Mon 25 Nov 2013 10:53am

Hi Lorraine there are specialised primers, zinsser is the best,that allow you to paint directly on to problem surfaces without the need to key it first you then simply light sand in between coats to achieve your required finish in water based or solvent base paints ,hope this helps Allan Russell Coalville Decorating Services

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Dave Claringbould

Mon 25 Nov 2013 10:20am

Hi,yes you have to rub it down to give it a key,don't Bother with these paint that tell u otherwise they just chip Off, what we do obviously wear a mask but put the Hoover tube next to wear u are sanding to collect the dust After run it down with some wire wool,wear glothes Give it one thin coat of solvent undercoat not acrylic let it dry Rub down lightly again and give 2 coats same undercoat Then once dry 2coats top coat, hope this helps, Dave DC builders

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Derek Nelson

Mon 25 Nov 2013 11:01am

Hi lorraine, yes you can rub this down by hand try using 100 grade sanding sheets.this will give you a good key without scoring the wood , then coat it with zinsers primer two coats of this then under coat & finish in satin or gloss you should achieve a good finish . Just give a small scuff over with sandpaper between every coat

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Richard Ward

Mon 25 Nov 2013 11:08am

Hi Lorraine. Yes it can be done manually. Best to use a light grade finishing paper 100 or 120 to lightly "key" the surface in the direction of the wood grain, Never across it! Wear a mask although there won't be a huge amount of dust. Wipe down with white spirit. Then use a good oil based primer, Zinsser tends to be a favourite. Then apply two coats of oil based undercoat and top coat of your choice. (Gloss/eggshell/flat Matt) It's a good idea to lightly sand and clean with white spirit between coats to get a perfect finish but not essential. Hope this is helpful! All the best. Richard the decorator.

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michael fraser

Mon 25 Nov 2013 10:56am

Use a product called bin sealer as a base coat double coat with this then use 2 coats of undercoat oil based then your desired finish coat

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Shaun Odonnell

Mon 25 Nov 2013 07:20pm

Use a zinsser primer 123+. Not much rubbing down needed just a light wipe with a damp cloth then a rub off with glass paper, then a coat of primer.

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Ken Sives

Mon 25 Nov 2013 10:57am

Yes it can be done manually, although you'll be like Popeye by the time you are done, as said, keep vacuum close by, or have someone else on hand to collect as much dust as possible as you go!

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Tony Priestley

Mon 25 Nov 2013 06:02pm

Hi Lorraine, Yes you can sand down by hand but would advise a mask, use a fine sandpaper, then apply a primer. wash with white spirit cloths, and use a Tack cloth before applying your top coats, this should ensure a nice clean surface for you to paint, good luck. Tony.

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Robert Shaw

Tue 26 Nov 2013 06:21pm

Hello this is ian Yes you can sand it down Just make sure you get the Old varnish of so the paint has Some think to key to And use a good primer Hope this helps

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