Can you use latex paint over oil-based textures?

Author: Deshawn Powlowski III  |  Last update: Saturday, September 27, 2025

When covering oil-based paint with latex or water-based paint, you cannot paint directly over it. You must sand off the glossy finish, wash the surface with TSP, and prime it before painting it. This will provide a longer-lasting paint job and prevent the paint from peeling.

What happens if you paint latex over oil-based paint?

The point of an oil primer is that you can then paint anything over it. Painting latex paint over oil paint will end up either peeling off, as shown, or if the oil paint was scuffed/scoured, you can get micro cracking of the paint which shows up and is a pain to get rid of.

What kind of paint can go over oil-based paint?

Oil based primer is about as universal a product as exists. Latex, acrylic and alkyd regardless of sheen are all fine on top of it.

How do you paint latex over oil-based paint without sanding?

If you must apply high-quality latex paint over oil paint, it's best to do so with a latex primer designed for use with both latex paint and oil paint. Using a paint primer can help ensure that latex and oil paint adhere to each other properly and create a lasting, durable finish.

Can you touch up oil-based paint with latex paint?

Latex paint won't stick to oil-based paint and will eventually peel off, as shown in the picture above.

Painting Over Oil-Based Paint with Latex Paint

How to get latex paint to stick to oil-based paint?

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.

Can you paint water-based paint on top of oil-based paint?

The glossy surface of oil-based paints makes it so difficult for any other paint to bond. That's why, if you apply water-based paint straight to oil-based, it will flake and crack as the water-based paint pulls away. So, to get oil-based ready to paint over, you need to take away a lot of that gloss.

Will Kilz cover oil-based paint?

Best for use in

Use on interior and exterior surfaces including woodwork, drywall, plaster, paneling, masonry, brick, painted metal and properly prepared glossy surfaces†. Use under or over water-based or oil-based paints. Not recommended on flooring.

Why is my latex paint peeling?

High Exposure to Sunlight. Exposure to intense sunlight makes oil-based paints vulnerable to cracking. Elastic and latex paints tend to contract and expand when exposed to direct sunlight, which weakens their adhesive bonds.

What happens if you paint acrylic over oil?

Oil over acrylic is fine with certain caveats, but acrylics over oil paints and oil grounds should be avoided. Oil paints form tight, water-resistant films that provide poor adhesion when acrylics are painted on top of them. We recommend avoiding this combination.

Why is oil-based paint illegal?

Oil-based paints are no longer legal in Virginia and five other states. This is because oil paints create a ton of pollution, both in the air and in the ground. They have a lot of toxic fumes that make them dangerous to be around before they dry, especially for the painting contractors who use them.

Should I use acrylic or latex paint?

Both can work, but acrylic paint's elasticity and resistance to wear and tear make it better for high-touch areas and furniture. Latex paint works well for larger indoor projects where low toxicity and easy cleanup with a brush are priorities.

Do painters still use oil-based paint?

Painting with oil based enamel paints is still a popular choice among painters because they produce a hard, glossy, and smooth finish once they have been dried. In this case, they make a great choice for high-traffic areas like doors, windows, and trim, since they are extremely durable.

Why is latex paint better than oil-based?

Quality interior latex paints provide better long-term flexibility, that is, resistance to cracking and chipping. Latex paints also tend to resist yellowing with age in areas protected from sunlight. They emit fewer odors, clean up with water and are not flammable.

What is a good bonding primer?

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.

Why is my gloss paint peeling off?

Surface contamination such as dirt, oil, and grease. Polish residues on the surface, which impair the adhesion of the paint. Excessive movement of the substrate, such as joints, imposing stress on the paint film which can result in cracking which in turn lets in moisture, ultimately resulting in a flaking paint film.

How to use latex paint over oil-based paint?

You can use a latex primer over oil-based paint as long as it is a bonding primer. Bonding primers are best because they are formulated to adhere to glossy surfaces, such as oil-based painted finishes.

What is the best paint that won't peel?

Sherwin-Williams Duration is the longest-lasting exterior paint brand, according to Consumer Reports. This wonderful 100% acrylic latex paint resists fading, cracking, and peeling while offering the added benefit of being self-priming.

Does primer stop paint peeling?

Well, an alternative to this drastic action is using a binding primer. A popular choice is Zinsser's Peel Stop, which is a water-based primer that penetrates chalky surfaces and helps to glue-down the edges of cracking and peeling coatings to the substrate so they can be successfully painted over.

What is the best paint over oil-based paint?

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.

What is the best primer to cover oil-based paint?

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.

How to paint over oil-based paint without sanding?

How Oil Bond Works on Oil Based Surfaces
  1. Step 1: Wipe Oil Bond Directly. Oil Bond creates a powerful adhesive bond to oil-based painted surfaces without having to sand or prime. ...
  2. Step 2: Mix Oil Bond Into the Paint. Now, it's time to create the top layer of velcro-like adhesion using Oil Bond. ...
  3. Step 3: Paint.

How to tell if old paint is oil-based or water-based?

Do I have water-based or oil-based paint in my house? The test to determine whether your paint is oil-based or water-based is pretty easy. Simply put some methylated spirits on a rag and wipe at a small section of your wall. If the cloth is stained with the wall colour, it is water-based.

What is Zinsser paint?

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.

Can you paint acrylic over oil-based paint?

Sand the Oil Paint in Order to Apply Acrylic Over Oil-Based

By doing this, the paint is planted from being oily and it becomes more sticky. It is enough to prepare the surface on the wall using an industrial detergent solution.

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