2 coats or 3?

[Launchbury]

I painted our staircase using satinwood (rubbed it down first) and it looked good. I then read on here that a 2nd coat would make it look much better and tougher, so I lightly rubbed it down again and applied a 2nd coat and it looks great.

I'm enjoying myself, and considering the knocks it will take off my lot I was thinking of applying a 3rd coat. Will it make it look even better and even tougher?

Should I leave it at 2 coats, or is it worth a 3rd?

Many thanks.

 

[Brutal]

If you're using a good quality paint then 2 coats will do the job. Otherwise you may need 3. But if it looks solid then adding extra coats is just wasting time.

 

[HERTS P&D]

Did you use oil based satinwood, if not the finger prints will soon show.

Andy

 

[Launchbury]

Yes, I used oil-based satinwood.