Can I use varnish or clear enamel to seal knots?

[Lusi83]

Hi
I'm trying to finish decorating my kitchen before Christmas...

Went up to B&Q yesterday (15 mile round trip) and got everything I needed.... ..except primer and knot sealant for a short length of new skirting....

Was going to thin some water based gloss as a primer(!!!) but have 2 knots to seal...

have some clear oil based varnish and some clear enamel ...would either of these work or do I really need to go all the way back???? Especially as I haven't got all the children's presents yet and the tree isn't up...

 

[Growler]

'fraid not, it wont work.
Knotting or Zinsser bin is the answer.

It really is a long way to go for 2 knots especially at this time of year. If it twas I... I would just paint it and at a later stage when and if the knots show through, get some Zin Bin and just touch them a couple of times with it and re-paint over the top.

Worry ye knot.

 

[Growler]

P.s just about anything will do as primer in this instance, thinned out.

 

[LJW61]

As Growler says

 

[Lusi83]

Thanks - I kind of thought that would be the answer....

I was clinging to the hope that someone would say one of them would do ..or that I could use something random (brandy butter ????) instead....

Good news that you think watered down paint will be ok for primer though - I thought that would be a bit dodgy...

Next time I'm in B&Q I'll pick some knot sealer (Z bins?) up...I have it on my thing to get list anyway - have a knot on door frame showing through that a previous owner did -obviously didn't look on the list before I went....



I love this site - just like phoning my dad....except I don't get the 'why didn't you do a proper list of everything you needed before you went ' lecture...

 

[LJW61]

..Heres another tip Lusi - Buy your paint from a trade shop if you can or if you have to buy from B&Q stick to Crown or Dulux at least theyre not qiute as thin as the B&Q 'own-brand' rubbish

 

[Lusi83]

Unfortunately I bought B&Q brand paint....and when I was searching for a knot sealant substitute I found the tin of B&Q paint that I had already bought for this job and forgotten about..... (hears dad's disapproving voice in head)
(kitchen was fitted last April...just taken a little while to get round to decorating it....and of course I had already opened the new can so I can't take it back!)

But in 10 yrs when I have managed to get through it I'll bear that in mind...

And thanks again...

BTW -it is bit freaky when I see your user name - my initials are LJW...