How to Neutralize the Oil in Oil-Based Paint

Use a good primer when painting over oil-based paint.

You can paint over oil-based paint if you prepare the surface correctly. Cleaning and deglossing are very important steps in neutralizing oil-based paint in order to repaint with a latex paint. Proper surface preparation is the key to success in for this project. Failure to prepare the surface will result in chipping paint.

Things You'll Need

• TSP cleaner
• 150-grit sandpaper
• Tac cloth
• Primer
• 220-grit sandpaper

Instructions

1. Clean the area well with TSP to degrease the surface and remove dirt.

2. Sand the surface with 150-grit sandpaper. It is not necessary to completely sand off the existing paint. The goal is to scuff the surface so that it will take the primer.

3. Clean the surface with tac cloth to pick up the sanding dust.

4. Apply a coat of stain sealing primer. Allow to dry for two hours. Apply a second coat of primer.

5. Sand with the primed surface with 220-grit sandpaper to smooth any rough areas.

6. Clean the surface with tac cloth and proceed to paint.

References

• Painting over Oil Based Paint
• Latex Paint Applied Over Oil Base Paint Without Priming