Painting over woodstain - Zinseer or Farow and Ball

[jimjamjim]

I'm repainting all the windows in my house white - inside only - they are currently a reddish brown woodstain.

I've completed the first room but I'm not happy with the finish. I used Zinseer Coverstain to ensure that the woodstain would never bleed through, and then Zinseer Permawhite Interior Semi gloss as the top coat. This was tricky to apply and left horrible brush marks unless a heavier coat was applied in which case it ran terribly. Surfaces were rubbed down between coats......

Any ideas on the best combination primer / top coat. I want a hardwearing surface that stays white and does not yellow over time. A friend recently mentioned Farrow and Ball gloss - this is a water based alkyd paint which is meant to be far superior to the water based acrylics. Has any ones used it or have any other thoughts?

 

[joe-90]

It sounds like your technique isn't up to the job. Never tried a paint yet that was unpaintable. Did you thin it a touch?

 

[jimjamjim]

It sounds like your technique isn't up to the job. Never tried a paint yet that was unpaintable. Did you thin it a touch?

I've been painting around the house for the last 20 yrs and never had the problem so I like to think it's not my technique, but there again its my first time with his type of paint. Reading some reviews on the Zinseer suggest that the brushmarks are a common problem.

 

[dcdec]

Use johnstones aqua undercoat and gloss applied with a good synthetic brush.

 

[joe-90]

But did you thin it?

 

[deanibusmaximus]

Use johnstones aqua undercoat and gloss applied with a good synthetic brush.

I am a big fan of the Johnstones Aqua system, especially the gloss, and would recommend it without reservation.

I use the zinsser permawhite for rentals where tenants have complained about mould growth and I have always found it easy to work with. A bit of water does help, but I cant help wondering what brush you are using.

 

[Pigeon85]

Use johnstones aqua undercoat and gloss applied with a good synthetic brush.

a fine synthetic brush will probably be your solution to the problem especially if your paint is quick drying

 

[jimjamjim]

But did you thin it?

Thin with what? water or specialist thinner?

 

[deanibusmaximus]

Joe means water. thinning instructions are on the tin, failing that, they will be on the Zinsser website. they have technical data sheets on all their products. Although permawhite is designed to be used un-thinned, a dash of water will do no harm at all and should make it easier to work with. always read the product info before thinning.

I would try a better brush first though as mentioned above

 

[jimjamjim]

Joe means water. thinning instructions are on the tin, failing that, they will be on the Zinsser website. they have technical data sheets on all their products. Although permawhite is designed to be used un-thinned, a dash of water will do no harm at all and should make it easier to work with. always read the product info before thinning.

I would try a better brush first though as mentioned above

Many thanks for the advice - I'll try a new brush as it looks like that is my issue.

 

[joeberg]

Most decorators run a mile from Farrow and Ball

 

[opps]

But did you thin it?

Thin with what? water or specialist thinner?

i haven't used that paint but when working with wb paints i routinely add floetrol. Unlike water it doesn't thin the paint but it does help it to flow.

 

[opps]

Most decorators run a mile from Farrow and Ball

iused to be happy to use their eggshell until they went waterbased.

 

[deanibusmaximus]

Most decorators run a mile from Farrow and Ball

I dont have a problem with F&B paint. I like the wb eggshell very much. I dislike the company, their pricing, and customer care. but the paint, I get good results with.

 

[opps]

I recall using their emulsion once. The pigment wasn't mixed properly, the cream paint had red dots in it as i rolled it. Their response- "yes sir it is a characteristic of our paints, you need to stir it for 10 minutes". Their Own tech support were too dumb to accept that pigment the size of a grain of sand would not be dispersed by stirring.

their exterior eggshell does flow well when floetrol is added, shame it doesn't survive our weather.

i would rather use little Greene than farrow and balls