Painting an old pine cot

[GinaG3]

Has anyone repainted a old pine cot? With my daughter I inherited a very very old John Lewis cot that has been passed down my family forever. With my daughter we used it as it was, covered in ancient stickers and looking a bit tired. We're due our second baby in November and I want to repaint it this time. Has anyone done this? I've been looking at child friendly paints online and have found some beautiful colours. If you've done this what brand have you used? B&Q do a range called Nature Paint but I'm unsure of the quality and standards of this for painting a cot bed, the price is very appealing though! I'm loathe to buy 2.5L when I'm only doing a cot bed so alternatively if anyone has any leftover child friendly paint please feel free to PM, this a eco friendly/budget project after all!

I'm thinking to sand it all down to the raw wood, leave the cot in its natural wood state with a coating of wax but paint the railings bright colours for a bit of fun. Has anyone used wax or clear varnish safely on their childs cot? If so, what?

[david_carnell]

Instead of wax or varnish you could use a natural oil like linseed. Just make sure you don't buy the "boiled" version which sets quicker but is full of nasty heavy metals.

[GinaG3]

Thank you for the advice. I'll have a look in to that. Can I use linseed oil over any paint work to seal it and prevent chipping?

[david_carnell]

Not really. It's designed to soak into the wood to protect it and provide a barrier against stains etc. It won't soak into paint so would be null and void. It's only if you take it back to natural wood.

[BellendenBear]

Congratulations Gina!

I did this for my 2nd daughter. It was hard work but definitely looks better. I used the Eco shop on Lordship Lane opposite William Rose, can't remember the name. They sell lots of nice colours and you can buy small amounts, think I managed with 0.5L using a couple of coats after lightly sanding first.

[Be.jones]

There's a paint shop by East Dulwich station - Colour Makes People Happy. Good for advice and v friendly. Am painting up a stokke using their yellow gloss. And it did make me happy!

[eva_ben]

I recommend Osmo paints, which a few years ago I bought from Marrs Cross & Wilfrid Fairbairns: 1 Oglander Road, SE15.

The info on them says they are even suitable for kid's toys:

http://www.osmouk.com/sitechaptern.cfm?bookid=Products&chapter=82&page=265

lovely finish.