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Tips for Painting Over Oil-Based Paint

How many times have you heard the saying that “oil and water don’t mix?” While this is sometimes the truth, when it comes to applying a fresh coat of paint, this isn’t necessarily always the case. In some situations, latex paint can be used to cover a surface that initially used an oil-based paint.

What Do I Need To Know When Painting Over Oil Based Paint?

The first tip is that you should never apply a coat of paint without first knowing what type of paint base you have. By doing so, you’re avoiding a lot of headaches later!

While you’ll have no real troubles applying latex paint to an oil-based surface and allowing it to dry, you’ll soon find the dried latex paint peels off easily, leaving your project looking like a disaster!

How To Determine What Type Of Base Paint You Have

Luckily for everyone, determining the existing paint on your surfaces is quite easy! All you need is a clean rag or a cotton ball and denaturized alcohol. Dip the cotton ball or cloth in the denaturalized alcohol, lightly saturating it. Then rub the cloth or cotton ball on the painted surface to test.

If you see paint on the clean cloth (pigment lifts from the surface) this indicates that it’s a latex or water based paint. If you don’t see any pigments (paint) on the cotton or cloth, this means you’re working with an oil-based paint.

Get Ready To Sand

Prepping the area, you’re planning on painting also helps set the foundation for fabulous looking results. We recommend using 150-grit sandpaper to smooth out all visible rough spots. Sanding is a step that you’ll want to complete before starting the next step, which is using a Primer. Sanding helps make the surface more course, so freshly applied paint will adhere more uniformly to the surface. After using a 150-grit grade of wallpaper for your initial sanding, switch to a 220-grit grade of sandpaper to make it smoother. Always be sure to clean away all dust from the surface for a smooth finish.

Apply Your Primer

Applying a high-quality coat of Primer is the next step in assuring that your finished painting project looks fantastic. Primer increases adhesion for a better finish. While some oil-based paints can get applied without the need for a primer layer, we always recommend that all areas to get painted are properly cleaned and sanded for maximal adhesion.

Don’t Let Oil Paint Deter You

Painting on top of an oil-based paint can be tricky, but don’t let that be enough to stop you from completing an improvement project at your home or office. Latex paint can be applied over oil-based paint. However, you’ll want to make certain that you follow all of our recommended steps before beginning to assure the best possible results.

If you live in the Suwannee area and you’d prefer to have your project completed by painting and renovation experts, give Freeland Painting call at 678-679-3126 today!

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