Painting over dark stained wood

[Boater Sam]

I have large areas of very dark stained wood interior that I would like to paint white. Some areas are actually dark brown gloss paint. I have in the past had problems preventing the dark grinning through the white finish.
Can anyone advise the best paint and method to cover the dark wood with the least number of coats please?

 

[lusitano]

I resolved a similar problem by degreasing and sanding back the whole area. I then glued up some strong, slightly textured wallpaper and then primed and painted over it with a washable eggshell toned colour. Transformed what was previously a very dark and dingy saloon.

 

[scozzy]

Stained timber, dark or not is not designed to be painted over really but it can and is often done...
Old school answer is to sand it all off and start again. These days you will find a few "bonding" primers that will adhere to the existing and provide a "key" for the new topcoat. You will see them on the shelf at B&Q etc, zinnser is a popular choice and decent product. They come in water, spirit and oil based finishes.
Sand it, clean it and be prepared for 3,maybe 4 coats.

 

[Dutch01527]

Try Bedec MSP. Miracle paint imho. We bought a Georgian mill house to which the previous owner had fitted modern white upvc windows. Looked dreadful. We got a quote to have oak window made - £40k ( there were a lot of windows).

After extensive testing we painted them in a heritage colour in MSP. Two coats straight on to the upvc with no preparation. 10 years later still good as new. We also painted brown plastic guttering mat black. Same result.

Worth a try I would have thought.

 

[ghostlymoron]

A good clean with sugar soap and then primer/undercoat before applying the top coat.

 

[johnalison]

I’ve not tried it on a boat but the advice for decorator bodgers is to seal the surface with PVA before painting.

 

[Tranona]

Just about to do that tomorrow and will be using Dulux "Difficult Surfaces" Primer, probably 2 coats and Dulux satin white, 2 or 3 coats. Sand and degrease first of course. Used this successfully on a variety of surfaces including formica.

 

[Boater Sam]

Just about to do that tomorrow and will be using Dulux "Difficult Surfaces" Primer, probably 2 coats and Dulux satin white, 2 or 3 coats. Sand and degrease first of course. Used this successfully on a variety of surfaces including formica.

Let me know how well it turns out please.

 

[scozzy]

I can't help myself watching this thread! I'll add to my advice above that I've been running a painting and decorating business for 30+ years and I've never seen anyone "bodge" undercoat by substituting with pva!!!

It will do virtually nothing.. The older the timber the more chance it's oil based stain/varnish so I'd strongly advise a bonding primer as above before coating with an opaque paint,particularly if you are going for a water based finish coat.. Oil and water still don't mix..... Pretty sure oil and pva don't either ?

 

[Rappey]

I decided my boat has too much wood and a bit of white and some Ikea blinds would make a difference.
Didn't fancy the painting route so used a roll of white self adhesive vinyl around the windows.
Will not discolour and was quick compared to painting.

Zinssers paints do many that will cover and stick to most surfaces

 

[MoodySabre]

We bought a house with oak panelling and beams which we painted. This stuff was excellent Zinsser BIN | B-I-N Stain Block Paint
It was a bit cheaper at Screwfix.

Beaten to it!