I am going to be painting my baseboards and door/window frames with latex paint. They currently have oil paint on them. Do I need to just use primer or do I have to sand as well (or is there an easier method)?
Bettina from Atlanta, GA
Answers:
Applying Latex Paint Over Oil Paint
Oil produces a tough SLICK coating that would need sanding, UNLESS Lowe's painting dept. could recommend a bondable liquid that might be something like "liquid Sander". In any case, I'd also
consider adding a quart of OIL paint to each gallon of Acrylic Latex, which sounds CRAZY, but actually is being recommended by some painters now. A helper accidentally did this when trying to surprise me by
painting the inside of my garage years ago. It worked JUST FINE. Also, a big group of volunteers arrived to help me paint my home one year. They took all the various kinds of paint I had and mixed them ALTOGETHER in a 5 gallon bucket, and that
formula of both kinds of paint has held better than
any other paint I've ever had. These are both inside and outside examples of it working. So, make
certian the surface is truly clean of wax, dust, dirt, stains, hair, etc., and I'd use plain ALCOHOL to clean the surfaces well, because there would be no need to rinse. THEN, I'd use the "liquid Sander" solution a little at a time, just ahead of my painting, following directions carefully, checking to see if it can be used with both kinds of paint. If you have the
energy, it would be wise to go over all surfaces also
with a med. grit sand paper MITT or special SPONGE
made for such projects as curved edges, to scratch
the finish for better adherence. Test an inconspicuous old painted area with the liquid sander
first to see if it has no terribly ill effect on the old paint, but rather truly prepares the surface for bonding to new paint. Watch the timing recommended for applying paint while liquid sander is still wet, or for whatever it says. IMPORTANT:
Use a very fine paint brush, and I prefer the flat
hand held smooth velour brush/pad, with refills available, normally used only for finishing edges, which I use on most all surfaces very successfully
because It both saves paint, and gives a very smooth finish if done right and evenly. Use a metal
pie pan to fill the flat velour brush pad with a small
amount of paint. Otherwise, you should buy the very
best and finest bristle brush you can afford to get the
best finish. If I had the money this is what I'd do.
Good luck to you, and God bless and help you. : ) (06/15/2007)
By Lynda
Applying Latex Paint Over Oil Paint
I used a product called NO-Sand it is very nice just wipe it on and wait 10 min or so and then paint. It was a little smelly but it beat sanding. (06/18/2007)
By Mary Ann