How to Check If Your Paint Is Oil or Latex

Testing your wall paint will tell you how to prepare the suface for repainting.

The ongoing debate over oil-based vs. latex wall paints continues. Both have their pros and cons: Oil-based paints tend to hold up better over time while latex paints are easier to apply and much more affordable. Whichever you choose for repainting a wall, the type of paint you are covering will dictate the steps you need to take to prepare the surface. Oil-based paints usually require light sanding before covering but latex paints need only a primer. Here's how to determine whether your wall paint is latex- or oil-based.

Things You'll Need

• Gloves
• Knife
• Paint deglosser (optional)

Instructions

1. Find an inconspicuous area to test the old paint. If you plan to paint over the wall, you can perform the tests anywhere. Otherwise, do your testing behind an appliance, such as a refrigerator.

2. Pierce the paint lightly with the knife and try to pull the paint back. Latex paint will peel off in small pieces; oil paint will not. If you paint peels, it is latex paint; if it doesn't, it is oil-based.

3. Apply a small amount of paint deglosser to the area to double-check. Latex paint will either come off or become very sticky. Oil-based paint will not be affected.

Tips & Warnings

• Use only a small amount of paint deglosser and make sure you wear the gloves.

References

• Oil vs Latex
• Latex/Oil Testing