Before you choose an interior paint, it’s important to know what type of paint you’re covering to ensure adhesion. Painting over semi-gloss with flat paint can be challenging because of its smooth, water-resistant finish, while unknowingly painting over oil-based paint with latex can cause an unsightly finish. But with the right preparation, you can get a great result. This article will walk you through the steps to make sure your paint goes on smoothly and lasts.
Painting flat over semi-gloss
Semi-gloss paint repels water for ease of cleaning so covering it with a flatter sheen of paint can be tricky to get it to adhere. Start by roughing up the semi-gloss surface to give it some texture or “tooth”. Do this by lightly sanding the entire wall surface using very little pressure. You are just lightly scratching it up. Wipe off all wall dust with a damp cloth and a tack cloth. Then apply a coat of good quality primer. The primer will stick to your scratched up wall, then the flat paint will stick to the primer. For convenience, there are some flat paints that include primer mixed in with the paint.
Follow the manufacturer directions on coverage over a semi-gloss surface or talk to your TIMBER MART Paint Specialist to see if you can skip the priming step. If you do apply a coat of primer, wait for the primer to dry for a day and then apply the first coat of flat paint. Generally, when you go from one sheen to another, you may have to prime. That can be an entire coat of primer or using a paint that includes primer. Talk to a TIMBER MART Paint Specialist before you start your paint project. We can give you the correct advice for a perfect finished paint result.
The oil paint test
If you are painting an older home and don’t know what kind of paint is on your walls and trim, there is a chance it could be oil paint. Today, oil-based paints are rarely used so the paint you are purchasing will most likely be water-based latex. Painting latex paint over oil paint (also called alkyd paint) will result in a cracking and peeling disaster. To avoid this, test your walls to see if you need to use a primer to cover the oil before your latex top coat. Dip a cotton ball into a small amount of denatured alcohol and rub it over a small surface area. If the paint does NOT come off, it is oil-based paint and you will need to prime before applying latex paint. If the paint comes off, it is a latex-based paint and you can proceed by painting over the surface with any type of paint.
Visit your local TIMBER MART for expert advice and quality paints to make your next project a success. We’re here to help you every step of the way!
