Paint a stained fireplace mantle/surround?
Question:We are thinking of painting the mantle/surround around the fireplace white. It is currently stained wood (in addition to painting the molding and trim in the room white). Has anyone done this successfully? Did you strip or sand it? Just paint? Recommended? Thanks!
Answers:
You may need to sand it to give something for the paint to grab onto if it has a shiny finish. Always use a good primer and then you can paint it.
sand and prime
never have painted a wood mantel but have worked w/ several other wood cabinets & dressers etc..
IF the mantel has varnish on it, u'll need to sand it down starting w/ coarse to light sand paper ( so it's like a baby's booty) then make sure u get all sandy dust off & prime it then paint it. U may want to put a coat of varnish over it to protect it.
If u'r reallllly not into sanding... then use KILZ, BIN or ZINSEEd. at u'r hardware store. If u can get away w/ spraying it, less thickness of paint.. if not.. use a foam brush to keep the brush strokes out. Let throughly dry... then paint. U won't need a primer b/c it acts as a primer/sealer...
have fun
Very simple, purchase a painting primer and paint. Then paint t.
light sanding then a primer that is acrylic based such as gripper by glidden should do the trick. have used this product and been very successful.
Unless there is an excessively thick existing finish (which may only be seen at areas that are chipped, etc.), you don't need to strip, however you do need to sand it with 100 - 150 grit (although there are primers that claim to bond to glossy, nonsanded surfaces its not recommended).
Spend some time sanding the surface, then vacuum or wipe with damp cloth, & prime with Kilz Premium or Zinser, etc. If you don't prime with a high quality primer/sealer your paint job may start to peel in a couple of years or sooner. You must prime it, i've seen many similar paint jobs peel because of improper prep or lack of priming. You don't want that!
The primers I mentioned will do two primary things: create a bond with the previous finish, and; seal out the existing stain color from bleeding through to the new finish color, especially light colors.
Once primed, I like to lightly sand and wipe again before painting with the desired finish. Good luck & I hope this helps.
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