Varnish streaky do I need to paint over it?

[tricia13]

Hi

The skirting boards inthe hall are all varnished and pretty streaky so are the boards on the stair.. do I have to paint over this or can I use another varnish to cover this please? or something similiar. appreciate any help please

 

[JerryM]

i've not done this particular job.

varnish is hellish to get off (blow torch or chemical) and takes a long time.

i think u could sand the existing and then re apply new varnish (i would try a small area to be sure 1st)

i'd be tempted to paint over if u don't mind loosing the looks that varnish brings. u would need a primer that is ok to go on varnish then use gloss in the normal way. i use crown decorators if u can't easily locate a suitable primer.


hope the WMids are all ok (home for me) and the traffic not too bad.

 

[Robbie uk]

Primer is only any good on raw wood. If the varnish is to be painted then it needs a really rubbing down and two coats of under coat prior to top coating. Because the varnish is already on the wood and is probably oil based then that is acting like a primer.