Can I paint varnished skirting boards?

[LadyNellCardross]

Am decorating my hall and I would like to change the currently orange pine woodwork to white paint. I have sanded most of it off but am unsure how to proceed. Would a combined primer/undercover followed by eggshell work? My husband seems to think that it won't work because it was previously varnished. What do you think?

I used a special primer by Zinssner? Zissner? Can't remember how to spell it but it definitely did the job and I only gave the varnish a very quick go with sandpaper

Zinsser BIN primer is the one - check the can as there are a few different ones for different surfaces. It is really good - dries in 45 mins so it doesn't make the job take forever.

That's good to know. My DH said that he'd heard that the paint would just flake off after a while on top of varnish. Can I ask you where you bought the Zinsser? And thanks for your response.

Sorry Wow I cross posted with you. I will nip round later to the local DIY shed and see if they have any.

B&Q Warehouse, but they don't have the full range. Just had a look at the Screwfix website and they do - check the one you want is in stock though.

Thank you. I have to go to Screwfix later today anyway and will have a look.

We've used Zinsser Bin to prime our varnished woodwork before painting over with ordinary satin paint and it's been excellent. No flaking at all after a few years.

I think I used a liquid sander first, but I certainly didn't sand it properly and I think you could probably skip the liquid sander all together if you use the Zinsser Bin.

Hi
Can I ask what you used in the end? And did you sand first? My skirting boards and banister really need doing. It's a mammoth task so I'm looking for the quickest easiest way without it looking rubbish!

Hi, in the end I used the Zinsser that Wowfudge suggested followed by an oil based eggshell paint. It smelt awful and took a day to dry but months later it's still immaculate. Normally I would use a water based paint but as it was for a high traffic hallway I didn't want it getting chipped. I'm very pleased with it. I had sanded the skirting beforehand.

Thanks for the info

I have painted similar - rubbed it down a bit, painted with aluminium primer, then a coat of white primer then two coats of water based brilliant white. Came up perfectly and still no chips 5 years later.