Gloss or Semi Gloss / Satin Wood for a wooden banister?

[Amped]

Hi all... I'm decorating the hall...

Have keyed back the old gloss on the banister, and applied a new coat of Dulux Pro Liquid Gloss, but ended up with a lot of tiny bubbles in the finish, which felt horrible when you ran your hand down it.

So, I sanded back to the wood (two days) and have now done a test patch: two coats of Zinsser B-I-N Shellac Primer, and one of Dulux Pro Liquid Gloss. But I can see before the gloss is dry that it has some bubbles / imperfections in it.

No idea what product the decorator originally used to get such a good finish, but should I be using something other than Dulux Pro Liquid Gloss for this? Am I better off with a satin wood?

Any help and insight is always appreciated.

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[Amped]

The Zinsser B-I-N Shellac Primer was recommended to me by a shop employee who suggested it would help cover a multitude of sins.

 

[endecotp]

How did you apply it? Bubbles typically are a result of using a roller, but that would be surprising for a banister.

The paint is oil-based, right?

 

[Amped]

How did you apply it? Bubbles typically are a result of using a roller, but that would be surprising for a banister.

The paint is oil-based, right?

Applied with a Harris multi paint brush, no roller in sight.

Yes, the gloss is oil-based.

 

[Amped]

Just done another test patch with three lots of undercoat... I'm starting to wonder if the bubbles aren't dirt / fibres from the wood... I've fine sanded it and cleaned / wiped it to within an inch of it's life though...

 

[Old Salt]

I wonder if the bannister is probably teak? Its an oily wood and may interfere with the drying process. I know nothing about bannisters or Zinsser however.

 

[Amped]

Just pine I'm afraid. It's probably about three or four years old.

 

[Old Salt]

Just some thoughts that may or may not help. Is the paint old. Has it been well mixed? Have you used anything oily or greasy, white spirit, brush cleaner?

 

[endecotp]

brush cleaner?

Ah yes, a wet (with water) brush can make oil paint do some odd things.

 

[Amped]

Sorry gents, new tins of both Zinsser B-I-N Shellac Primer and Dulux Pro Liquid Gloss, new brushes, and washed with the advised solutions; methylated spirits and turps...

I wonder if I need to give the brushes longer to dry out after washing before I use them again to reapply?

 

[Old Salt]

I would make sure the brushes are really dry. I always wash brushes in warm water and washing up liquid after cleaning to remove any residue. 24 hours should do it, I usually wrap the bristles in some kitchen towel to help maintain the shape.