Glossing

[Rooter]

Slightly off the subject but while all you experts are hanging around I'll ask the question.

Out place is now 20 years old; builders used MDF for inside window sills. They stained all 18 off them brown to match the Bolton & Paul timber windows. A few have been chipped by kids and stuff be placed on them so they now really need redoing/smartening up.

The snag I forsee is that applying more stain will make them darker and it will be hard to get an even colour.

Any ideas/suggestions; other than move house

sand back a bit, fill any chips with wood filler, then sand again, primer and paint. job done.

 

[Taz]

Suggest Zinser primer if you want to go for a lighter colour.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

and on a similar note. The varnish on our staircase banister handrail is flaking off - best way to remove if it is best to remove completely - or just rub down to take off loose varnish and key for new coats of varnish or for painting?

 

[Rooter]

and on a similar note. The varnish on our staircase banister handrail is flaking off - best way to remove if it is best to remove completely - or just rub down to take off loose varnish and key for new coats of varnish or for painting?

smooth it right back, whether that means removing all old varnish or not is hard to say, but just removing the flakey bits will leave an uneven finish when you re-do.

 

[Taz]

What is the difference between trade and retail?

Did anyone post an answer to this question ?
About to buy my paints tomorrow.

 

[Rooter]

Did anyone post an answer to this question ?
About to buy my paints tomorrow.

According to the internets, trade paint has a better opacity (ie its thicker, so less coats needed) and trade paints can be thinned down.

For glossing, i will now only use dulux trade, i have tried loads and trust me, this one is the best. It stays white which is key, i have had some go yellow after 6 weeks!

 

[Taz]

According to the internets, trade paint has a better opacity (ie its thicker, so less coats needed) and trade paints can be thinned down.

For glossing, i will now only use dulux trade, i have tried loads and trust me, this one is the best. It stays white which is key, i have had some go yellow after 6 weeks!

Thanks.
Dulux trade satinwood is oil based ?

 

[Rooter]

Thanks.
Dulux trade satinwood is oil based ?

correct.

Just to check, you are not painting any raw MDF are you? you have to be really careful with it and use the right primer. The wrong paints can start a chemical reaction with the MDF and the fumes are nasty.

 

[Taz]

correct.

Just to check, you are not painting any raw MDF are you? you have to be really careful with it and use the right primer. The wrong paints can start a chemical reaction with the MDF and the fumes are nasty.

No, bare wood, so prime and paint.
Have some existing wood to go over later in the project so intend to abrade and wash down with sugar soap.

 

[Dellboy]

Did anyone post an answer to this question ?
About to buy my paints tomorrow.

Sorry I thought I did reply !!

As said above, trade paint is thicker so can be thinned down to get the best consistency, also they use more pigment so better colour coverage, which should mean less coats needed, so you will get away with 2 coats, with most colours but if using retail your looking at 3 costs, on a good day.

Allow good drying times between coats as well, painting the second coat to soon will cause pigment pickup, meaning it won't cover as well.

Good luck !!