Painting a fire surround?

Mander

We are finally getting around to redecorating the lounge in our new house. Currently it has a non-functional gas fire (disconnected) with an ugly, damaged, fake wood surround. I'm not sure if it is MDF or some sort of plastic, but it is definitely not something that I could strip and re-varnish.

At present we can't afford to have the fire replaced, but we're having company for the holidays and we want to make it look less hideous. We are considering simply painting the fake wood bits when we paint the walls, so that it is all one color. Since the fire doesn't work we aren't worried about whether or not the paint can withstand heat, and it is too damaged to be worth anything when we finally replace it so it will probably just go in the trash or else be used as scrap wood.

Does this sound like a dumb idea? I just plan to scuff the surface and use ordinary emulsion wall paint on it.

latecomer

Doesn't sounds like a bad idea to me.

sunshine54

how about white matt emulsion?, it would then take on the apperance of stone, and be a contrast to any colour that you put on the walls.

Kiran

Depending on how much time you have/want to spend, you can buy wipe on primer. I used it on some fitted wardrobes as I didnt have time to get new doors due to the slightly odd size. The doors were a kind of veneered compressed board. I was able to fille the old handle holes and a couple of bits of damage and paint the doors so they looked original. Maybe worth a try?? The idea of white sounds interesting to make it contrast.

ActionCat

Well, that's funny because I have the same problem and I've literally just finished the first coat of paint! I used Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 primer (shellac) to prime the surround and am now going to use a Dulux water-based diamond satinwood in white for the next two coats. Even after the first coat, I'm really pleased with it. Much better than the orangey veneer it was before. Go for it!

McKneff

If you dont use the fire and dont like the surround, why not take it out altogether, board it up, and paint/wallpaper the whole wall. A new fire and surround can be bought when or if you move.

We did this and put a big painting on the wall as a focal point and the room looks twice as big.

Mander

Hmm, you make a good point about contrast. Part of the fireplace is a sort of black marble stuff, and the walls are going to be off-white. Maybe I should paint the wooden bit black, too? I'll have to see what DH thinks. How much was the wipe on primer stuff? I don't think I've seen that.

savemoney

Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 primer is great stuff I used in in our living room on a wooden tounge and grove ceiling and using the rest on a tounge and groove ceiling in kitchen next week

It needed two coats and one coat of normally ICI emulsion paint

ActionCat

The bit between the wood surround and the gas fire on mine is black too. If you like, when I've finished this next coat, I can try and send you a photo?