[hellothere123]

I have wood baseboards that were stained brown.

My wife wants white trim, or to restain the faded brown trim.

Can I do either? I've been told that it is a total headache to paint the brown trim (trim plus doors,etc) white...and that you can't restain the old stained wood.

Any help?

 

[Bob Mariani]

Re-staining would require completely sanding the trim down to raw wood, since the stain needs to penetrate into the wood and the top coats and sealer will prevent this. Also you will need to remove the trim to do this work. Poly shades can be used to cover the trim and get a similar finish but toned as your wife wants. But this is a tough to make this stuff look good. Painting over it is not hard. Use a primer first, then paint with two coats.

 

[sirwired]

Well, trim takes longer to paint than walls, but it is not a horrible task either.

SirWired

 

[slickshift]

If it hasn't been poly'd, you can re-stain the same or darker color
If it's been poly'd, you can use polystains or a gel stain (again, the same or darker)
Regardless, if you want to paint it's a coat of oil/alkyd primer and two coats paint or preferably enamel, water-based or oil/alkyd

If you have stain (w/ or w/o poly), and want it lighter, it's a full strip, and most likely more efficient to remove to re-trim, and go from there

So, depending on what you have and what you want, it could be slightly more labor intensive to re-paint
Also, depending on what you have and what you want, it may be your best alternative

 

[hellothere123]

thankyou for your information

its much appreciated!

 

[beerdog]

The techniques have been hit on on. Search for posts on painting trim. You just can't roll it on like a wall. Take your time.Make 2 thin coats. Use oil based if you for a better finish.

 

[Dana11]

wood trim can be painted ahead of time and then touched up once it is installed, or it can be painted in place, as with existing trim. When you apply two coats of semigloss or gloss paint to your trim, as is often the case, ensure a good bond by sanding lightly between coats and cleaning the dust it with a cloth.


Dana

 

[slickshift]

thankyou for your information

its much appreciated!

Your welcome
...anytime