You’ve received an outdated home with layers of paint and also you’re prepared to use a recent coat of paint, however you don’t know what you’re up towards. That prime layer of paint is staring you straight within the face and making you nervous. How are you going to inform if it’s oil-based paint? And why does that even matter?
It issues as a result of if you happen to plan to repaint, oil and water (latex) don’t play properly collectively. It’s important to put together your surfaces in another way if you would like your paint to stay for greater than a day.
As a restorer of historic home windows all my initiatives are lined with a number of layers of every kind of paint like vintage linseed oil paint, late nineteenth century oil-based paints, and fashionable latex paints. For the very best outcomes you must take away all of the outdated paint, however that may take plenty of work or price some huge cash.
Within the curiosity of saving you cash there may be a straightforward strategy to inform if it’s oil-based paint or latex paint that doesn’t require any particular abilities or supplies. As soon as you already know the kind of paint you’ve you may put together it correctly.
Testing For Oil-based Paint
For this take a look at you’ll must seize a cotton ball or cotton rag with acetone and rub it on the floor you need to take a look at. If the paint softens or comes off then it’s latex or acrylic paint. Whether it is unscathed then it’s oil-based paint.
If you happen to don’t have acetone helpful then rubbing alcohol will work as will most nail polish removers since they include acetone.
It might be onerous to inform the outcomes if the paint is white and also you’re utilizing a white cotton ball although. In that case, if the paint is white then I exploit a black rag (actually any coloration aside from white will work) for the take a look at.
If it’s latex paint then with the intention to repaint all it’s a must to do is wipe the trim clear with TSP cleaner and also you’ll be prepared for a recent coat of latex paint. If it’s oil-based learn on.
What to Do If It’s Oil-based?
If it finally ends up you’ve oil-based paint it’s not the tip of the street. There may be a straightforward method ahead, you simply have an additional step earlier than portray.
Liquid Deglosser
The primary possibility is to make use of a liquid deglosser to offer your new paint one thing to stick to. Wipe the floor with the deglosser and let it dry. As soon as dry you may paint straight over prime of it with latex paint and you must have resolved the adhesion points frequent to oil-based paint. This methodology is fast and low-cost however not the very best in my thoughts as a result of it doesn’t all the time produce good outcomes.
Oil-Based mostly Primer
The most suitable choice, in my expertise, is to prime the floor with an oil-based primer. You could be pondering, “I believed oil was the issue.” On the subject of primers it’s a special story. Oil-based primer bonds properly to nearly something AND offers a superb base for any paint whether or not you’re going again with oil-based paint or water-based latex and acrylic paints.
Oil-based primers have a powerful odor and better ranges of VOCs so ensure you have glorious air flow while you use an oil-based primer. Additionally they require mineral spirits to wash up spills and clear your brushes so be ready for the additional work throughout cleanup.
Now you already know each how one can inform if it’s oil-based paint and what to do whether it is. If you wish to know extra about working with oil-based paints see my earlier publish How To: Paint With Oil-Based mostly Paint.
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I like outdated homes, working with my palms, and educating others the excitment of doing it your self! All the pieces is teachable if you happen to solely give it the prospect.