Painting some old wooden chairs.

[gizmo1990]

I've stripped and sanded down a couple of old wooden chairs which have been handed down to us and the time has almost come for us to paint them.

Could someone tell me if I need to use a primer + undercoat + final coat or if I can miss one of the stages? Opinion seems to be divided on this subject so I'd appreciate peoples opninions here. The chairs will only be used indoors.

A further complication is that the country I'm restoring these chair in (Norway) I can't seem to find any undercoat? I can only find a wood primer which I'm told in the stores should be sufficient?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

[joe-90]

Most acrylic primer is primer/undercoat so you should be OK. Thin it down a little though or you'll get a load of brush-marks.

 

[gizmo1990]

Thanks for the reply joe-90.

Sorry if this sounds daft but what should I thin the primer down with? And why is this needed? Why isn't it set to the right consistancy in the first place to prevent brush marks?

 

[joe-90]

Add a little water (about 5%). All paint is supplied to be watered down according to what you wish to use it for. You can always water it down - but you can't thicken it up. Try it when you buy it - you'll see what I mean.

 

[gizmo1990]

Thanks again for the reply.

So should I thin down the primer/undercoat or the paint itself? Or both?

 

[joe-90]

Both. Just try a little test and you'll see what I mean. You are looking to make the paint flow off your brush - you shouldn't have to fight it.