repainting new woodwork

Hi all,
we just finished building our new house and unfortunatly dont like the colour so we have decided to repaint.
We will get a painter to do the walls but will paint the woodwork ourselves to save some money.
What is the best way to paint over the enamel woodwork with acrylic?
I would prefer not to have to sand the whole lot but if thats the only way I will.
is ESP anygood?
Taubmans 3 in 1 claims to not need sanding but has anyone had any success with this?
if sanding is the only way, how much do I need to sand back?
Keep in mind the paintwork is less than 6 months old. (if that makes any difference)

Acrylic wont go over enamel unless you do the prep coating etc again.

Why not give the woodwork a light sand and re-enamel with your new colour?

Hi Dan,

I used the 3 in 1 here at home but I did clean and sand the areas I was using it on first. I then used an acrylic to go over it after the initial coat. Then again as Jacksin, said maybe just go over the paint with enamel.

Well I did a bit of a test last night and put some undercoat on a spot I have sanded and also on a spot I havn't sanded and tonight I had a scratch at them both and they are both sticking very well. Is this normal and is the unsanded likley to let go later on or can an acrylic undercoat actually hold to enamel gloss?

Why are you determined to use acrylic? It doesnt wear as well and over the top of enamel is twice the work.

The main reasons I want to use acrylic are the smell and the mess of enamel. If I were to use enamel would I have to do any prep work or could I just paint straight on?

Most painters use enamel on woodwork because it gives a nicer finish, typically more gloss, than enamel. You can put another coat of enamel straight over the top of what you've got. Try testing a bit, but if you're using a dark color, you might try one coat of white first to keep the colors separate. May not need to depending on the colors you're using.

Buy some turps, wash the brushes well, and you can wear rubber gloves in the cleanup if it bothers you to get turps on your hands.

Tex

Just put it staight on. I used acrylic over emanel once. Never again. You'll be sorry you did it and then have to get it off before putting on enamel.

On top of that, enamel looks better and is much tougher.