How Do You Paint Over Oil-Based Paint?
Oil-based paints once used to be the go-to for high-impact areas and interior painting, especially for cabinets, trim work, doors and more. Oil-based paint is durable and self-levels as it dries and creates a perfect, flat surface.
Unfortunately, when it dries, it emits several volatile organic compounds that are harmful to the environment. The paint is often smelly and messy since mineral spirits or paints thinner must be used to clean up any droplets or spills. The more important issue with oil-based paint is that itās becoming harder to find.
If you have a surface that was previously painted with oil-based paint, then it may be more than just a case of wanting to paint over it on top, as you may have few other options unless you want to use harsh chemicals to get rid of it. Thankfully, with the proper preparations, you can paint over oil-based paint with water-based acrylic-latex paint or even other oil-based paints.
Painting Over Oil-Based Paint
Oil-based paint is still available, so if youāre wondering whether you can paint over oil-based paints with latex or other oil-based paints. If a house is old, it likely has oil-based paint on some surfaces since water-based acrylic paint wasnāt around until the 1940s. With newer homes, you may have some areas of oil-based paint since thatās not entirely banned in most places.
Using Latex Paint Over Oil-Based Paint
Latex paint can be successfully painted right over fully-cured, oil-based paint. The good thing about latex paint is that it cures from the outside, developing outer skin and eventually hardening inside after evaporation. Oil-based paint has no water, so it hardens chemically. The chemical reactions transform the paint into a hard shell. Once itās hard and cured, oil-based paint has no oil that would typically repel more layers of paint.
Using Another Oil-Based Paint Over Oil-Based Paint
Many professional painters prefer oil-based paint over latex for a smoother, harder finish with no marks, bubbles or gaps. Oil-based paints can be applied over other oil-based paints as long as theyāre fully cured and nothing on the surface prevents another layer of paint from being added. You can find that on door casings, mouldings, trims, cabinets and shelving.Ā
You can find two types of oil-based paints: natural oil-based paint and alkyd paint. Alkyd paints are made with synthetic resin binders, while natural oil ones are older products using linseed. This linseed oil paint was used in older homes since it doesnāt trap any moisture, which usually ruins wood. Linseed paint is still used today, especially metal, as it inhibits rust and lasts longer than alkyd paints. Unfortunately, it may be difficult to work if youāre trying to use it to paint over another oil painting. If youāre painting over older linseed oil with new latex or oil, it may be too slick, even if you prime the surface. There are newer types of hybrid enamel paints that combine oil and latex, and theyāre also useful for painting over oil-based paint.Ā
Regardless of whether or not youāre painting over oil-based paints with latex or another oil-based paint, you should always prepare, making sure you avoid the possibility of paint cracking or peeling. You canāt simply paint over oil-based paint since the glossier surfaces will need a second layer of paint, but also cleaning and priming, so keep that in mind going forward.
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