Latex paint over oil-based paint? Totally doable. But skip the primer and you’ll be scraping peeling paint off in six months. Ask me how I know.
Figure Out What You’ve Got
Dab some rubbing alcohol on the wall. Paint comes off? It’s latex. Nothing happens? Oil-based. Takes ten seconds and saves you from disaster.
Going Latex Over Oil
Clean the wall. Like, actually clean it. TSP and water. Old oil paint gets grimy and new paint won’t stick to dirt.
Sand lightly. 150 grit. You’re just scuffing the sheen, not removing paint. Wipe the dust.
Prime with bonding primer. Zinsser or KILZ. One coat. Let it dry completely. This is the step people skip and then complain latex doesn’t stick to oil. It doesn’t—unless you prime.
Now paint with your latex. Two coats. Done.
Oil Over Oil?
Easier. Just clean, sand, paint. Oil sticks to oil no problem. Main downside is the fumes and slow dry time. Open windows.
Don’t Skip the Primer
Seriously. The primer is the whole game when switching from oil to latex. Twenty bucks at Home Depot versus repainting everything in a year. Easy choice.
