Do I need primer?

Clairabella

Sorry for the silly question, I've decorated in the past but never bare wood so am hoping someone can please help.

I have a new, pinewood architrave in the bathroom. I also have a small amount of Dulux Satinwood, quick dry, which a decorator left behind. I believe satinwood doesn't need an undercoat so, can I just paint the satinwood on or do I need to get primer/undercoat? There are no knots visible, I don't want to call a decorator for such a small job, I'm sure I can manage it, if I know where to start.

TheCyclingProgrammer

If it says its self-undercoating and there aren't any major knots then I'd give it a good rub down, clean off dust with a tack cloth then apply two coats (or however many it says on the tin) with a very light rub down between coats (once it's absolutely dry).

Clairabella

Thanks TheCyclingProgrammer. I think the decorator told me it didn't need under coat but I cant actually see that stated on the tin! Hmm. What to do?

minibbb

On bare wood you will need a primer/undercoat first (often combined now). Satin can be used over old paint as long as its keyed/ clean without a new undercoat. If your satin is water based I would go for a waterbased primer to suit.

Clairabella

Thank you minibbb. I shall follow your advice.:beer:

seashore22

Once again I'm going to recommend Zinsser Bin. Amazing stuff. Not cheap, but it goes a long way and sticks to anything. Dries fast too.

lg13mza

seashore22 wrote: »

Once again I'm going to recommend Zinsser Bin. Amazing stuff. Not cheap, but it goes a long way and sticks to anything. Dries fast too.

And it also seals the knots.

TheCyclingProgrammer

seashore22 wrote: »

Once again I'm going to recommend Zinsser Bin. Amazing stuff. Not cheap, but it goes a long way and sticks to anything. Dries fast too.

Zinsser Bin is great for going over problematic surfaces (e.g. plastic, heavy knots, priming MDF etc.) but its completely overkill for priming a piece of ordinary pine and its horrible stuff to work with. A normal acrylic primer/undercoat (if using water-based top coat) would be fine.

[Deleted User]

I always use primer-undercoat-topcoat, anything less than three coats looks dreadful.