Painting Over Varnish

[Gummo]

I have a bedroom horizontally clad with T&G boards and varnished. I want to paint it Barley White; what preparation do I need to do and is it better to use emulsion or satinwood?

Gummo

[Andrew L.]

I painted varnished cladding in a bathroom, no problem. I sanded it down fairly thoroughly but didn't try to remove all the varnish. Mind you, the varnish was matt, I don't know if this makes a difference. Then I applied an undercoat before using satinwood.

BTW don't believe what it says on the tin of satinwood, believe me, you *will* need an undercoat. If you don't use an undercoat you will find yourself applying layer after layer of topcoat.

Good luck

Andrew L.

[Gummo]

Thanks Andrew

What shade of undercoat do you think I should use for Barley White Satinwood - white?

Gummo