DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

Help - we have just bought a house which has dark wood laminate all through the hall on the walls. It is stuck so would be a big job to replaster. We want to paint over it but don't know with what or even how - any ideas??

use a product like zinnser bin primer or 123, lots of different ones if you call into any paint merchant they will tell you which is the best one (not a diy store as they are pretty clueless)
we use zinnser a lot gives good adhesion especially to old kitchen cupboard door and provides a good base. there is a water based 1 out which is excellent and very easy to apply.
hope of some help nigel

Thankyou for your advice - we also have satin varnished tongue and groove in our front room which we want to paint because it is so dark. What preparation do we need to do and what type of paint is best to use?

hi you can use the same technic or sand it down.
Paint depends on what sort of finish your after as long as you seal or remove the varnish you can use what you want, personally i'd use dulux satinwood (get it from trade centre though not diy store) it is fantastic stuff not as shiny as gloss not as dull as eggshell, very easy to apply, it's a bit more expensive but the finish out ways the cost. plus you won't have to do much prep just lightly rub down obviously any loose/flaky varnish must be removed then apply paint it is a minimum 2 coat system (serves as own undercoat). i did some dark stair panelling for a customer in it, 3 coats of white satinwood and it looked fantastic. you can get it tinted to whatever colour you want.
nigel

Thank you again. We will try that!!