Painting Internal Doors and Frames

[MissyBoo]

I have some internal doors, frames and cupboards that need repainting. I was going to paint them with a gloss but have read that a semi-gloss is better to hide any imperfections. So now I'm not sure which to use:confused:

Is your personal preference or advice gloss or semi-gloss?

[Julie-Ann]

Hi
Nice to chat with you here as well as Twitter.

Gloss is the more traditional look but personally I prefer a semi gloss or satin finish. I believe that a satin finish can really only be achieved with water based paints not oil paint. I think a satin finish looks very elegant and classy. Yes you are right that the glossier the finish the more imperfections will show on it. I would also imagine a gloss finish would show marks from wiping the doors down more than the other two finishes. (Funny that was exactly what I was doing when I saw this post - wiping marks off the doors).

The other question is oil paint versus water based paint.In the past you would always paint with oil paint as it gave a much tougher finish. The problem is it is difficult to use and a pain to clean the brushes with, and with the rollers you basically threw then away. When we were building because I wanted a satin finish they used water based paint, which they claimed would be fine as they were using a very good primer (a Solvent product). 6 years later they are in very good condition (especially as they are now clean). And just to add to the confusion there are now paints out that are like oil paint but wash out in water. I haven't used them yet so I don't know if they are difficult to use but your paint store would know.

So I would use a good primer, water based or a new water based oil paint in a Satin finish.

I hope this helps but ask at your local Hardware store. Not knowing if you are near here but Joe at Bunnings in Melville is a wealth of knowledge.:D

[Julie-Ann]

I was in Bunnings today buying an orchid for this project with Decorate with Plants (http://www.decoratingforum.com.au/showthread.php/decorate-with-plants-41.html) ,so I wandered over to the paint counter to find out a bit more about these water based enamel(oil type) paints.

They are apparently the same to apply as a water based paint, not as sticky or slow to dry as oil paint.But they don't level out like oil paint does, so your brush strokes will still be visible. They, like oil paints, also are a bit more glossy than a normal water paint. But they are as tough once applied as oil paint.

As I have gathered on Twitter you are renovating your house, I thought you might be painting over existing doors. If so, they are probably painted in oil gloss paint. To prepare the doors - sand them lightly and if using the water paints use a primer before painting. The primer will need to be a new type of primer designed to help with adhesion, allowing you to paint water paints over oil paints.

Hope this helps.

[MissyBoo]

Thanks Julie-Ann.

Yes, I am using the Dulux Aquanamel (I had messing about with oil clean up ;)). Have almost finished the sanding. Have decided to use the semi-gloss on your advice. Will let you know how I get on

Cheers