Tips from a Painter: Testing for oil based or latex paint

If you're repainting a surface in your home, it's critical that you know what kind of paint was used before: latex or oil-based. Why? Well, latex covers latex perfectly, but if the old paint is oil-based, you have to prime the surface first before switching to latex. Otherwise you'll run into adhesion issues. Vincent has a simple test that you can perform to determine which kind of paint was used previously, setting your project up for success!

[@voodoo917]

Thank you, Brother. I've been wondering how to tell the difference for ages.

[@charlottemaxwell4948]

Thank you for verifying what I thought I needed to do my roommate wants me to repair a painting so I wanted to be sure what it is first.

[@steve4157]

Thank you for this tip. Very helpful.

[@haithamsherby7134]

Great tip, thanks!

[@jaycullen9901]

That's a great tip. Thanks!

[@pullsar7449]

Thanks for the tip.

[@CaliCatherineHart]

Thank you. So much.

[@thomaslambe7890]

Nice job on this!

[@juanjimeneztorres7997]

Thank you sir

[@johnbutler307]

Thanks you

[@bing083]

My go to printer it's 123 primer. Way better than kilz in terms of bonding.

[@mdindestin]

I use it everywhere inside and out.

[@hiroshimarch7118]

ty

[@Wickedstickyflowers]

I was told you can put latex over oil as long as it’s not a high gloss ... but you can’t but oil over latex once it’s on,, as latex is flexible and oil is brittle . And will repelling it

[@michaelkelley9533]

Its actually the opposite. You can put oil over latex but you cant put latex over oil. Oil will bond to almost anything but latex will bead up like water on rain-x if put on oil, even if it doesn't bead up bad, It will not stick.

[@mava1040]

Ok , I did this test on some window trim. The rag rubbed off green paint. So it's latex. I painted the window trim with latex paint , but it's leaving streaks , almost as if it's going on oil base paint. Would could be causing this ?

[@michaelkelley9533]

If you're going over a really glossy latext it'll be a little streaky if not sanded first. If its bonding it'll just take additional coats to get solid if after a day or 2 you can easily scratch it off u need to sand and prime to get good bond

[@FASANOINTHEWORLD]

Thank you !
I got a question:
What about if the existing base is latex and I’d like to repaint with oil based paint ? Would that work or needs a prime ?

[@mdindestin]

Since he didnt answer, I will. You can paint right over the top of a stable latex paint (clean and not peeling) with an oil based paint without priming first.

[@FASANOINTHEWORLD]

@@mdindestin thank you 🙏🏻.

[@johncapewell9480]

Is latex water based? Not heard latex in UK!

[@jamesbates4583]

Yes, latex is water based

[@userasdf1546]

Can we use gasoline?

[@Mickey_Bauer]

Oh nice, i have some hand sanitizer in the house 😁

[@gordonnewton4832]

I'm a decorator based in England and over here we just look at the finish to verify the finish.