How to: Paint Over Oil-Based Paint - Sound Painting Solutions, LLC (2024)

FAQs

How to: Paint Over Oil-Based Paint - Sound Painting Solutions, LLC? ›

So, if you have identified oil-based paint, we recommend that you lightly sand the paint until you have dulled down the glossy sheen. Make sure to clean the surface after sanding, removing any dust particles or dirt. Next, apply an acrylic latex primer and allow it to dry for 24 hours.

Using Latex Paint Over Oil-Based Paint

Latex paint can be successfully painted over fully-cured oil-based paint. Latex paint cures from the outside in. It develops an outer skin and then slowly hardens inside due to evaporation.

First would be to wash the surface, sand and then clean the sanding dust off. You may then apply your latex paint over the oil base paint. That process works for both interior and exterior applications. Your other option is to wash the surface and then apply a coat of a bonding primer and then topcoat.

Use on interior and exterior surfaces including woodwork, drywall, plaster, paneling, masonry, brick, painted metal and properly prepared glossy surfaces†. Use under or over water-based or oil-based paints. Not recommended on flooring.

The glossy surface of oil-based paints makes it so difficult for any other paint to bond. That's why, if you apply water-based paint straight to oil-based, it will flake and crack as the water-based paint pulls away. So, to get oil-based ready to paint over, you need to take away a lot of that gloss.

If the paint does NOT come off, it is oil-based paint and you will need to prime the surface with a bonding primer before applying latex paint. The primer can be latex, but it has to be a product that is made to prepare the surface and help with adhesion and that says “bonding” on the label.

Step 1: Sand Away the Coating

Using fine sandpaper, between 180 and 220 grit, rub away the glossy top coat of the oil-based paint. This will help the new primer and water-based or latex paint adhere to the surface without cracking or peeling.

It is recommended you always use a primer before embarking on a painting job. For best results use an oil-based primer if your top coat is oil based paint, or latex based primer if your top coat is latex-based paint.

If your project surface has an existing oil-based top coat and you would like to repaint it, either use another oil-based top coat, or the appropriate bonding primer. We generally do not recommend putting an acrylic finish over a previously painted oil-based top coat without added surface preparation.

How to properly prep to use urethane paint over oil-based. With caution, we say that you can technically put these over oil-based paints, but you must meticulously sand the entire surface with about 180 grit sandpaper.

How do you break up oil-based paint? ›

You can use any type of oil, such as olive oil, jojoba oil, or canola oil, to help break down the oil-based paint. Coconut oil usually work best because it is solid at room temperature so it won't make as big a mess as you rub it into your skin.

Latex paints will not stick to oil based paints. The exception is that an oil based primer may accept any kind of top coat paint. For that reason, an oil based primer is recommended to be applied over any oil based top coat, then a water based paint may be used as a top coat.

Zinsser Bulls Eye 123 Primer is a fast-drying white-pigmented acrylic latex (water-thinnable) undercoat. It is formulated for use on most types of exterior and interior surfaces - previously painted or new work. Any oil or latex finish paint can be applied over Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3.

Works with oil and water-based paints. Not recommended for floors.

You can paint older oil-based paint without sanding, but it's not always the best idea. If the oil-based primer or paint is in good condition, you may be able to get away with just painting over it.

The general or most commonly used oil painting mediums include Linseed Oil, Liquin and Walnut Oil. You can also get meglips, burnt plate oils, stand oils, blending and glazing mediums, impasto and cold wax mediums, solvent-free gels, damar varnishes and a product called Maroger Painting Medium.

If your first, old painting did not have impasto strokes, it should be fine, but if there are prominent, impasto strokes, you may find it appropriate to sand the old painting down, at least far enough to flatten the greater share of the previous brush strokes.

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.