Help! I have a barrage of questions re painting woodwork

[Pennyandthejets]

I'm redecorating at the moment, spend weekends stripping skirting and wallpaper and we finally have smooth plastered walls hurrah!

So my job for this weekend involves sorting out all the door frames and doors in the room (3 doors 🙄). They're clearly old, painted and very very shiny. Now, I know I need to sand them before painting but can you help answer my questions...?

1. What grade sandpaper should I use?
2. Do I need to take all the paint off the doors before repainting?
3. Do I need to prime before painting over paint? If so what primer should I get?
4. Can I use normal matt emulsion paint? I don't want a gloss finish, just want matt. Can anyone recommend me a paint to use?

If you got to the end of that, thanks! I'm a DIY novice so your advice is super appreciated

For a Matt finish on wood you need eggshell paint. Dulux is fine. It comes in smaller tins than emulsion.

First give it a good wash with some sugar soap (B&Q)

If the old paint isn’t bobbly I would sand with 120/180 to just “key” the surface. Then 2 coats eggshell should do it.

Also do wear a mask while sanding in case of lead in old paint.

To strip the paint you would need a heat gun and a lot more sanding, depends how much work you want!

Thanks! I'll go for eggshell in that case.

Ive already had a go on one frame with 40 grade paper... Is that okay? Or should I stick to a higher grade?

Do I need to prime?

Thanks again 😊

Ooh we have this probelm too!

I second eggshell, definitely not emulsion it will rub off & is only meant for walls/ceilings.
I would also just rub down lightly with a fine grade sandpaper, if the paint on them is really bobbly, if it’s smooth then just wash with sugar soap & use a general undercoat no need to prime unless it’s bare wood really, good luck.

Decorators daughter here.

Fine sandpaper rub down all over so the finish is slightly abrasive, no need to remove all paint.

Undercoat at least one coat, although if you are changing a door from black to white more undercoat necessary.

Eggshell too coat.

Emulsion? Are you serious ?.....

*eggshell TOP coat.

I used to think sanding was a pita until I found there is sandpaper on a roll specifically for 'stripping' & that is dead easy to use. I don't bother undercoating mine if the existing sanded surface is good & even. But if there are changes of colour then I would.

If you haven't bought the paint yet I'd highly recommend Little Green - it's more expensive but goes on beautifully (not really gloopy like so many wood paints).

I think it's eggshell that we've used and it's a lovely flat finish.

Thanks Oreos! I checked out little greene earlier this week and loved their muted shades range.

Where did you get yours from? I can't find their paint in my local b and q!

You can order direct from little Greene & some decorating shops sell it Brewers definitely do, also recommend Mylands not as much choice colour wise as LG but beautiful quality paint, again order direct or from Brewers.

Yep, we get ours from Brewers - I always find the staff in there very friendly and knowledgable too