lord_seagrave Posted October 30, 2008 Report Share Posted October 30, 2008 Well, I have spent hours (and quite ruined my nails) stripping and sanding the skirting and doorframes back to bare wood. I think it's the original 1930s woodwork and, having spent the intervening years buried under 6 or 7 layers of various colours of paint, it has come up very clean and sharp. My question is now this - I want to paint it bright gloss white, losing none of the sharp edges and clean lines. Would you gentlemen advise one coat (as the missus believes will be sufficient) of primer, or (as I believe) will it require a couple of coats, lightly sanded between each? It is fully my intention to give it a couple of coats of gloss, but is this overkill as well? The only reason I ask is the Lady Seagrave and her mother are slaving over a cold living room as I write (from my cosy little office in the City ), and, whilst I don't want to give them unnecessary work, I do want the job done nicely. Of course, I shall hurry home to help, but I don't want them to go off half-cocked. Any ideas/advice? LS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr lee Posted October 30, 2008 Report Share Posted October 30, 2008 If that is a privately owned business, then I am surprised.Its my experience if it means money in their pocket, then these shops will sell you almost anything. They may clench their teeth when they do it, but the "ka-ching" of the till usually salves most consciences. I once had a polite conversation with an old friend who owned three newsagents/general stores and asked him how the girlie mags and alcohol sales fitted in with his religious beliefs. He said that he did not personally indulge in either and didn't feel that selling them compromised his beliefs. He also added that they accounted for 22% of his turnover. One coat of primer, (dulux do a trade water based one which is pretty good) One coat of quality undercoat one or two coats of high quality gloss dependant on how it looks after the initial coat. I only ever use dulux trade paints with my job and have never had any complaints as yet. Buy a very good quality brush and it will show in the finish too. Most of ours are Purdys and provide a cracking finish. However, they are not cheap and only available at trade outlets. For a truly top finish, strain your paint into a new or clean paint kettle through some old tights to remove any bits etc and make sure your brush is equally clean. Prior to glossing, wipe all the surfaces down with a tack rag or damp cloth to remove any dust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_seagrave Posted October 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2008 Actually, I'm aware that the title of the post suggests that you'll be saving ME from DIY hell, but the post clearly implies that you are saving Lady Seagrave and her mother from DIY hell. Either way, you'll help US out... LS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_commoner Posted October 30, 2008 Report Share Posted October 30, 2008 KPS+2+1 translates to knot, prime and stop, 2 undercaot and 1 gloss, don't 'paint' the gloss on just gently stroke it over the undercoat in quite quick light strokes with a fairly thin coat - oh er missus !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maiden22 Posted October 30, 2008 Report Share Posted October 30, 2008 (edited) . Edited March 10, 2009 by Maiden22 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_seagrave Posted October 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2008 He also advises avoiding the "non-drip" gloss because it's "horrible stuff" (?). Oh knickers. Guess what it says on the tin just under where it says Wickes...? Hopefully, they'll be too busy admiring my Criag & Rose Kashmir Beige walls to notice... LS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr lee Posted October 30, 2008 Report Share Posted October 30, 2008 Just done ours with a friend who knows quite a bit about it (does it for a living). Can't add much to Mr Lee's advice (sounds like a man of experience) but like Mr Lee my chum swears by Dulux. He also advises avoiding the "non-drip" gloss because it's "horrible stuff" (?). Anyway, it has come up very nicely. All the best, Robert I wouldn't touch non drip if I were given a pallet load of the stuff. Yup, been a decorator now for over 21 years. Had my own company for over 8 years. ALWAYS used Dulux trade paints. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_seagrave Posted October 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2008 I wouldn't touch non drip if I were given a pallet load of the stuff. Yup, been a decorator now for over 21 years. Had my own company for over 8 years. ALWAYS used Dulux trade paints. Thanks Mr. Lee. My little pot of non-drip gets the barge-pole treatment. Pigeon Watch to the rescue again. LS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted October 30, 2008 Report Share Posted October 30, 2008 The success of painting is down to the preparation. Assuming you have softwood skirtings you will need to fill & seal any old knots with patent knotting or the sap will burn a brown mark through the paint. Prime & stop then lightly sand before undercoat and 1 gloss . Use the best quality oil based paints you can afford the old saying you only get what you pay for is true in this case. Non drip, quickdrying, self undercoating, one coat this and that are all gimmicks of inferior quality paint. As Mr Lee said Dulux Trade paints are excellent. Buy them form your decorators merchants and you will probably get them a little cheaper than the DIY store. Enjoy. FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted October 30, 2008 Report Share Posted October 30, 2008 Busy pigeon shooters go for one coat magi -coat . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_seagrave Posted October 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2008 Gentlemen, can any of you explain in layman's terms what the difference between primer and undercaot is? If I have a pot that describes itself as "primer & undercoat", is that a good thing or a bad thing? LS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8landy Posted October 30, 2008 Report Share Posted October 30, 2008 I would say go for a water based gloss, if nothing else, is easy for clean up after. + I think gives a better finish + stinks less (unless you or the misses are into paint sniffing?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted October 30, 2008 Report Share Posted October 30, 2008 Gentlemen, can any of you explain in layman's terms what the difference between primer and undercaot is? If I have a pot that describes itself as "primer & undercoat", is that a good thing or a bad thing? LS primer is a sealing agent, whilst undercoat it the base the gloss attatches itself to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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