How to Determine if Paint Is Oil or Water Based

To help you best determine whether a painted surface used oil- or water-based paint, there are several tests you can do. Oil-based paints are typically used on exteriors, kitchens and bathrooms--especially cabinets and woodwork. While latex paints (made from a water base) are used more often on basic painting throughout the home--bedrooms, living rooms, etc. Using a latex-based paint over an existing layer of oil-based paint can be tricky--the new layer of latex paint will not properly stick and dry if it is oil-based underneath.

Things You'll Need

• Denatured alcohol or a paint deglosser such as Wilbond
• Cotton ball
• Sandpaper or electric sander
• Primer such as Bin (shellac), Kilz (oil-based) or Zinssner 1-2-3 (water-based)
• Paint roller

Instructions

1. Determine which area of the home or wall you would like to paint. Touch the surface to help determine what kind of paint is on the wall. Oil paints are often smooth to the touch while latex paints have a rubbery texture.

2. Select a small area on the wall. Place a small amount of denatured alcohol or paint deglosser on a cotton ball.

3. Rub the surface area with the cotton ball. If the paint currently on the wall is latex, some of the paint may be removed and/or the paint may become tacky on the wall. If the paint is oil-based, nothing will happen to the surface.

4. If you have determined the paint on the wall is oil-based, you should sand the surface with either sandpaper or an electric sander, especially if it has a glossy finish. Then, you will need to apply a primer to the wall such as Bin (shellac), Kilz (oil-based) or Zinssner 1-2-3 (water-based) using paint rollers. Allow the primer to dry and then apply your new paint.

References

• Stretcher