A: Before you paint over oil paint, or if you suspect it is oil-based and want to find out for sure, just do the following:
- Dip a cotton ball into a small amount of denatured alcohol.
- Rub it over a small area on the surface.
- If the paint does NOT come off, it is oil-based paint and you will need to prime the surface with a bonding primer before applying latex paint. The primer can be latex, but it has to be a product that is made to prepare the surface and help with adhesion and that says "bonding" on the label. When the primer coats are dry, you can then successfully use latex paint.
- If the paint comes off, it is a water or latex-based paint and you can proceed by painting over the surface with any type of paint.
Si compró un mueble pintado en una tienda de antigüedades o vive en una casa un poco vieja, probablemente los muebles o algunas de las piezas de carpintería, molduras, gabinetes o puertas de la casa estén pintadas con pintura a base de aceite.
Nowadays oil paints are rarely used and most paints you buy to paint your home are water-based latex formulas. But, now you know how to check to see if the paint is oil-based, before you start your painting project.
Time-Saving Primer Tip: Most primers are white. If you are painting a dark color over a previously light color of paint, buy or have the primer mixed to a grey color. This will help bring out the depth in the dark color and also save you time, since the dark base will lessen the need for multiple coats of paint to obtain complete coverage.
Time-Saving Primer Tip: Most primers are white. If you are painting a dark color over a previously light color of paint, buy or have the primer mixed to a grey color. This will help bring out the depth in the dark color and also save you time, since the dark base will lessen the need for multiple coats of paint to obtain complete coverage.