What primer and undercoat works best, painting dark doors?

bootman

I have decided to tackle my dark wood doors myself as the quote from the painter was too much.

He said to use 2 coats Dulux quick dry all in one primer and undercoat.
1 coat Dulux trade undercoat.
2 coats of satin.

I have done this on one side of a door and it's not looking that brilliant. What would you use? I feel the primer is very thin.

Doozergirl

This might be a stupid question but why doesn't it look brilliant?

5 coats of paint is loads! Have you left it to dry properly between coats?

phill99

The decorator that sub contracts to me will only use oil based undercoat on dark wood. The acrylic stuff is not thick enough to hide all the dark. Sometime 3 or more coats. It takes a while as you have to allow 6 or so hours between coats, but it will cover in the end.

woodbutcher_2

My brother(a decorator) used aluminium primer on some dark doors at one of my houses.He said it "killed" the dark colour and was a good base to start again.