When it comes to upgrading the look and feel of your home, nothing is simpler then repainting interior walls or other built-in fixtures. Changing a living room from white to a soft green-grey, one of the most popular neutral shades in Australia this year, can create an oasis of relaxation and calm. Transforming a bedroom from the perfect pink the last homeowner’s daughter loved to a muted navy blue for your teenage son upgrades the space for a new owner.
If you decide to tackle your home’s next painting job on your own, you need to know how to paint on top of water-based paint and get smoothest and most attractive surface possible. When in doubt, hire a home renovation team with the experience, tools, and know-how to help your vision come to life.
CLEANING THE SURFACE TO PREPARE FOR PAINTING
If you want to paint on top of water-based paint, you need to make sure that the surface is clean and free of any debris first. You can use a damp cloth to clean the surface or choose a cleanser specifically designed for wall or woodwork preparation. Follow the instructions carefully and ensure proper ventilation if you use any chemical solutions. Always test a cleaner in a small spot first to make sure it will not damage anything you want to look great at the end of the project.After properly cleaning off all dust, mildew, crayon marks from the kids, or other issues affecting the old water-based paint, make sure everything dries completely before moving on. Sufficient ventilation is an important part of any painting project, so you might as well open the windows and set up the fans early to help this initial drying process.
5 STEPS TO PAINT ON TOP OF WATER-BASED PAINT AT HOME
The process of painting anything inside your house follows the same basic steps. In fact, the most important step focuses on preparing the surfaces first. Paint only goes on smoothly to a clean, dry wall, cabinet door, or length of woodwork.
1 – PROTECT THE FLOOR AND FURNITURE
Whether you use tarps, drop-cloths or canvas sheets specifically designed to protect against paint splatter, or wrap your belongings in plastic bags, you need to take steps to protect everything else in the room during the project. No matter how careful you are, paint will drip at some point. Make sure everything in the vicinity of the surface you want to paint is well covered. Also, put down a tarp under the paint tray and paint cans arranged neatly nearby. If you need a ladder to reach part of the project, be sure the rubber feet or caps are secure on the bottom to prevent scratching your floor or damaging the carpet.
2 – USE PAINTERS TAPE ON EDGES
Easy to remove masking or painters tape helps you get perfectly clean edges between the wall and ceiling, cabinet and wall, fireplace back and woodwork, or any other elements in the room. Before using primer or paint, carefully line things with this tape completely.
3 – PRIMER FIRST
Primer is a type of paint designed to cover old paint, wood, drywall or plaster smoothly. It is usually white and easy to apply. It helps create a smooth and nonporous surface so that the final layers of paint look great in the end. When you want to paint over water-based paint, primer may not seem as important as if you are covering oil-based paint. However, you should not skip this step in an attempt to save time or money. The finished project will not look as good and will have a higher chance of problems in the long run. This is especially true if you want to cover dark colours with something much lighter.
4 – PAINT!
The time has come to start laying down colour. Use rollers, pads, or brushes to smooth on the paint from top to bottom and side to side. For best results, keep the strokes running in the same general direction while ensuring full coverage. The last thing you want after everything dries is to see bare spots or obvious brushstrokes unless they are part of your design aesthetic.
5 – LET EVERYTHING DRY COMPLETELY
Different types of paint take different lengths of time to dry. Although you may want to see the final results of all your efforts as quickly as possible, you need to stay patient and let everything dry completely before you move on to the next step. This includes the wall after you wash it, the primer, and the one or two coats of your chosen shade of paint at the end. Keep your windows open and your fans running to speed up the process and to keep the air quality healthier inside your house.
CAN YOU USE OIL PAINT OVER WATER-BASED PAINT?
Yes. In fact, this option works so much better than the opposite: painting with a water-based paint over an oil-based layer. This is quite common when you use primers to prepare a wall, cabinet doors, or trim for the final paint layer. Homeowners frequently choose this type of paint because it offers more durability and protection against water damage and stains that may occur in the kitchen or bathrooms especially. It is popular for cabinets and other fixtures that are touched or cleaned more often than walls.
ENJOY YOUR AUSTRALIAN HOME RENOVATION
Painting an accent wall, an entire room, woodwork and trim, a fireplace surround, cabinets, or any other architectural element in your home is one of the simplest and most effective ways to change the look and feel of any space. When you paint over water-based paint, you can achieve the perfect style for you and your family in less time than you imagine. While this is a popular do-it-yourself project for homeowners to try, call in a professional team for the perfect results.
FAQs
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. Dig into your decorating supplies to find some medium-fine grit sandpaper.
Can you paint oil-based paint on top of water-based paint? ›
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. Dig into your decorating supplies to find some medium-fine grit sandpaper.
Can enamel paint be painted over water-based paint? ›
Yes, and sanding to ensure adhesion is not necessary as the solvents in oil-based paints cause it to adhere very well to water-based paint, even on very glossy surfaces.
How do you paint over acrylic paint with water based paint? ›
As a whole, acrylic paint is water-based so any water-based paint and Oil-based paint can be painted over acrylic paint. If the surface was sealed after it was painted with acrylic paints, then either a Primer or some sanding is required to paint over it.
Can you paint over latex paint with water based? ›
Yes! It's possible to lay a water-based color over an old oil-based paint, but only if you do the proper prep. We recommend sanding the sheen off your oil-based surface, then applying an oil-based primer to serve as a bridge or buffer between the old paint and the new. (Yup.
What paint can I use over water based paint? ›
CAN YOU USE OIL PAINT OVER WATER-BASED PAINT? Yes. In fact, this option works so much better than the opposite: painting with a water-based paint over an oil-based layer. This is quite common when you use primers to prepare a wall, cabinet doors, or trim for the final paint layer.
What happens if you paint latex or water based paint over oil-based paint? ›
But you can't treat it like latex or water-based surfaces. If you put latex paint over oil, you'll just end up with that fruit roll-up look all over your house because they just can't adhere. Since they're not compatible, they won't form a good bond.
Can you paint straight over water-based enamel? ›
You can paint acrylic paint over enamel paint, but only with proper surface preparation. If you just apply a coat of water-based paint, it won't adhere properly to the surface, and the colour will fade quickly. That's because the sheen of the enamel paint interferes with the acrylic paint.
Can you paint over zinsser with water-based paint? ›
Yes, you can apply a water-based paint over Zinsser Coverstain.
What paint will stick to enamel? ›
Acrylic can be painted over enamel, but there are a few things you should know first. For example, you should always use an oil-based primer when painting over enamel. This will help the paint adhere to the surface better and will ensure that the final product looks good.
DiamondFinish Clear is an Ideal Clear Coat for Water-Based Paint and Coatings. DiamondFinish Clear is used to seal, protect, and beautify your fully cured water-based paint and coatings. DiamondFinish Clear is an easy to use solvent-based, single part, moisture cured formula performs in the toughest environments.
Can you put acrylic paint on top of water based paint? ›
It should be no problem as both are water-based paints. I have done lots of decorative painting using craft store acrylics on walls basecoated with satin latex. I have even painted on top of semi-gloss, but it was in an area that got absolutely NO wear and tear. If your paint is satin, eggshell, or flat, go for it.
How to tell if paint is water based? ›
Do I have water-based or oil-based paint in my house? The test to determine whether your paint is oil-based or water-based is pretty easy. Simply put some methylated spirits on a rag and wipe at a small section of your wall. If the cloth is stained with the wall colour, it is water-based.
When not to use water-based paint? ›
Water-based paint is less resistant to moisture and humidity, so it's less suitable for high-moisture areas in your home. Water-based color achieves a lower sheen level than its oil-based counterpart, so it may be less desirable for certain home applications.
What paint sticks to latex? ›
Start by mixing rubber cement and a solvent like turpentine or mineral spirits together to create paint that will adhere well to latex. You can use a paint brush or an airbrush to apply the paint, and then put on a sealer so the latex is durable and looks great.
What is the best paint to cover latex paint? ›
Polycrylic is one of the best clear-colored, heard-wearing products to use over latex paints and oil-based paints.
What happens if you put oil-based paint over latex? ›
Painting with an oil based paint over latex is OK but doing the reverse will cause you grief for many years to come since any further coats of paints applied will stick to the latex only.
Can I use oil based clear coat over water based paint? ›
Can Oil and Water Based Products Be Used Over Each Other?* Yes! But you must follow ONE simple rule to ensure the best possible finish: the underlying finish must be absolutely dry.
Can you put oil-based paint over latex primer? ›
In addition to understanding the safety information, it will help you prevent any possible future damages to your surface. And remember, never apply oil paints over latex unless you are using a waterborne alkyd which will safely coat the more flexible layer beneath.
Can you paint oil over latex or latex over oil? ›
In order for your new paint to form a good bond with the existing paint, it's important that the two paints are compatible. Don't apply oil-based paint over latex; but you can put latex paint over oil-based, as long as you prepare the surface properly first.
