What causes a white painted mantle to "bleed" a pinkish color?

Judi Jennings
by Judi Jennings
The mantle is in my 110 year old home. It was painted when I moved in and I just updated the color. Someone said it probably was due to a stain or varnish on the original wood. ???? How can this "pinkish bleed " be eliminated ?

  5 answers
  • Touchedpainter Touchedpainter on Sep 17, 2017

    As a 40+yrs Comm. surface coating Contr. I would have to see it to answer that. No matter what the reason, the solution is the same. Just put on 1 coat of a stain kill. we use "Gripper" by Glidden. It is better than Kilz or Zinzer. It can be found at a Glidden store & Home Depot & some smaller hardware stores. No need to sand nor condition, Gripper even adheres to any surface: varnish, Formica, glass, etc. as a gripping primer &/or stainkill. It can also be finish painted as soon as dry. Rule of thumb: only up to 2 coats of paint in a 24 hr period, interior or exterior.

  • Chas' Crazy Creations Chas' Crazy Creations on Sep 17, 2017

    I just had this problem with a chest I re-painted. Some stains are very stubborn and they will work their way through the paint. There are products out there to put on first that will block the stain before painting. http://www.dixiebellepaintcompany.com?aff=9 One of the products I'm using for my chest is called "Boss" from Dixie Belle Paint Company.

  • Judy Judy on Sep 17, 2017

    This likely depends on what color was the original color. Many colors may have been added on top of that layer. If it is bleeding a pinkish, the color may be pink, or a fushia color. We may be very surprised when you begin to discover the real color. Keep us posted on your discoveries. J.

  • William William on Sep 17, 2017

    A stain blocking primer like Zinsser 123, BIN, or Kilz would prevent bleeding. Always prime before painting.

  • Linda Cabler Linda Cabler on Sep 17, 2017

    Use a good primer on it and then paint it or paint it first with clear shellac and paint it. ( Kilz is a great primer and it covers everything)