internal doors - removing stain/varnish?

[Koala2]

I have a 1980s house complete with internal doors which are stained a dark brown colour / mahogany. Most of them also have what appears to be a coat of varnish on top. The doors themselves are a reasonable quality and don't need replacing. Is there any way of removing the stain and/or varnish so I can paint over in a lighter colour? Or will this look terrible and take forever? The cost of replacing them all is prohibitive.

[wowfudge]

I would just use Zinsser BIN primer and then paint over. Varnish penetrates so you'll never get it all off, whatever you do.

[mumsnit]

Did mine with a few coats of primer and then cream acrylic eggshell on top. They were also 80s doors with that dark varnish and now look great and was much cheaper than replacing!

[Koala2]

Thank you. Do I literally just paint the primer on after cleaning? Is no rubbing down required?

[wowfudge]

Yes - just paint the primer on. Be reasonably generous with it. Two coats should give a really good base. Zinsser dries quickly. If you get a wriggle on of an evening you can do two coats of primer and a single top coat in an area.

[willfuckformichilenstarfood]

I would use Shellac (DP is a painter) it will block the colour coming through. Not cheap but worth it for a job done properly x