The rule of thumb is you can use latex paints over oil primers and latex primers. Do not use oil based paints over any surface currently coated with a latex primer or paint. The oil based paint or primer will usually lift the latex product and leave you with a wrinkled surface that looks like alligator skin.
Shellac Primers - These primers can be used with both oil-based and latex paints and may be the best at blocking stains and can even seal in smells that may be coming from the surface you are painting. They are fast-drying and can adhere to almost any surface.
You can put acrylic/acrylic-latex/latex over oil, but only with proper prep. You have to either de-gloss the oil (with, what else, a de-glosser, basically a chemical cocktail, or by sanding), or you have to use, as you did, a bonding primer such as BIN or Kilz, or one available at various paint stores.
Acrylic/Latex paint will not adhere to oil based paint, unless you sand it down or use a latex primer that is 100% acrylic and has high adhesion. Or you can use an oil primer and then 48 hours later paint over that with a latex paint.
Yes, you can use oil based paint over a water based primer. The main worries with mixing solvents are using a water based topcoat over an oil topcoat as it won't adhere (or it will and then will crack and craze over time). Primers are designed such that the finish coat will adhere to to primer.
In addition, water-based paint is preferred when covering an oil-based product because it has a faster drying time and resists fading in the sunlight for exterior applications.
Water based primer is usually used for walls and ceilings where there is new work and preparation is required, and oil based primer is primarily used for doors, windows, metal or woodwork. Enamel is hardier so surfaces that require heavy traffic or exposure to the elements are usually painted in enamel.
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.
They are Sherwin Williams Extreme Bond Primer, and Behr Bonding Primer. These top two primers were the very best at bonding in both the 24 hour test and the 38 day test.
KILZ Original 1 Gal. White Oil-Based Interior Primer, Sealer, and Stain Blocker 10901 - The Home Depot.
Latex-based Primer
They are more flexible and fast drying, and are less brittle than oil-based primers, making them less susceptible to peeling and cracking. They are also good for priming soft wood (such as pine), brick and concrete and galvanized metals.
This all-purpose water-based undercoat primer-sealer can be used over or under any oil-based or water-based paint and is ideal for new construction and remodeling.
It also dries quickly and provides a mildew resistant coating. It can be used under water-based or oil-based paint.
In order for your new paint to form a good bond with the existing paint, it's important that the two paints are compatible. Don't apply oil-based paint over latex; but you can put latex paint over oil-based, as long as you prepare the surface properly first.
You can paint older oil-based paint without sanding, but it's not always the best idea. If the oil-based primer or paint is in good condition, you may be able to get away with just painting over it. However, if the paint is starting to chip or peel, you need to sand it down before painting over it.
Water based primers - These primers tend to be sometimes easier to use than shellac and oil-based primers, they also have less odours and are environmentally friendly.
Alkyd Primer
This is an oil-based primer used as an undercoat on steel, wood and aluminium surfaces, most suitable for oil paintings. We sell two types of Alkyd primers: Robersons Thixotropic Alkyd Primer - this is a multi purpose primer for all types of oil painting.
(Note: Bonding primers are not recommended for use over peeling paint).
A 'bond coat' primer that's great for hard-to-stick surfaces, it offers excellent adhesion without sanding. Bulls Eye® 1-2-3 also prevents rust formation when applied over clean ferrous metal such as iron and steel.
A question we get asked often is, “Can you paint latex over oil?" The answer is “yes”. But you can't treat it like latex or water-based surfaces. If you put latex paint over oil, you'll end up with that fruit roll-up look all over your house because they just can't adhere.
Covering with water-based paint: You can't paint over oil-based paint with water-based paint directly, but you can after some crucial prep. Doing the correct prep: Always sand the glossy surface of oil-based paint before applying water-based paint. This step ensures better adhesion and a smooth finish.
A primer is especially important when it comes to oil painting because it makes the colors stand out more and prevents dull patches in your finished work.
If you have various stains, shellac Bonding primer is the ideal choice. It can be used to cover rough surfaces and old varnish as well as metal and ceramic.
AllCoat ® Exterior Satin Zinsser AllCoat ® Exterior is an ultimate performance, mould resistant paint that offers supreme protection to all exterior surfaces: wood, metal, masonry, plastic, concrete and cladding.