Can you mix latex paint with oil based paint

This is the painting question I hear more than any other. Can you paint latex over oil paint? If you own an old house you’ve likely googled this question and that may be how you stumbled upon my website in the first place.

Nobody wants to watch their paint job fail prematurely so you’re asking the right question because in my years as a restoration contractor I have seen so many paint jobs fail for just this issue. Let’s get right to the answer!

Can You Paint Latex Over Oil Paint?

A fresh coat of oil paint can go over top of any surface that was previously painted with oil paint with little to know prep other than a good cleaning of the surface, but can latex do the same?

Latex paints do not bond well to the typically glossy and silky smooth surfaces of oil paints and this includes alkyd paint or natural oil paints like linseed oil paint both of which need special prep if you intend to paint latex over top of them.

So the short is answer is “Yes,” but you need to prep it properly or it will fail quickly and dramatically, peeling off in sheets making a ton of rework for you. There are three options that will work to prep those old oil painted surfaces before you top coat with latex paint. Make sure you do one of these prior to applying any latex paint over top of an oil paint and you’ll be just fine.

Option #1 Prime with Oil Primer

This is the most common choice for me. It’s simple and straight forward to prime old oil paint with a fresh coat of oil-based primer. Oils bond well to other oils and oil-based primer provides an excellent base for any paint. Once you prime with oil-based primer you can top coat with either oil paint or latex paint without issue.

Another advantage is that oil-based primer sands extremely well which can provide you with a super smooth finish when painting. This is especially important for projects like repainting cabinets, woodwork, or other trim.

Option #2 Sand the Surface

You have to resolve that glossy, smooth surface that oil paints create, and to do that effectively without priming you need to sand every little piece of that surface. I prefer using 220-grit paper for sanding in these cases. You have to be careful with intricate profiles and nooks and crannies because anywhere that you don’t sand will be the weak point of the future paint.

Can you mix latex paint with oil based paint

This option is just as effective as priming and possibly more effective since you can smooth out the previous coats of paint if there are any rough spots that exist. You just have to be extremely careful to sand everything and not skip even a small section.

Option #3 Degloss

The chemical version of sanding is deglossing. For this you would purchase a chemical “deglosser”, yes that’s what it’s called, and wipe it aggressively across the surface with a rag. The application is similar to waxing a car except that once it’s dry you don’t have to buff it off. Buff it evenly onto the surface and let it dry. Once it’s dry the surface should have a dull appearance and be ready for a fresh coat of latex or oil paint.

Now you know, you can paint latex over oil paint. You just need to make sure you do a little extra prep before breaking out the paint brush. If you complete one of these three steps then you’ll be just fine painting with latex and you’ll end up with great results.

Can you mix latex paint with oil based paint

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Can you mix latex paint with oil based paint

Scott Sidler

Founder & Editor-in-Chief

I love old houses, working with my hands, and teaching others the excitment of doing it yourself! Everything is teachable if you only give it the chance.

If you’re in the paint world or have done some research using latex paint over oil-based is not advised. Latex cannot cure and “stick” when applied over an oil-based layer. People who make this mistake quickly discover this as the latex paint cracks, bubbles, and peels. With that said, quality latex paint can cover oil-based paints if the surface is properly prepared. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at latex and oil paint and find out when you can use them and how to use them.

Latex vs. Oil Paint

Oil-based paints are popular because of their durability, stain-resistance, and ability to adhere well to most surfaces. The main complaint with oil finishes is that they have a stronger odor, are messier to work with and clean up, and don’t retain their color and gloss as well as latex paint.

Latex paints are water-based and generally more popular because they’re easier to work with, provide easy cleanup, smell better, and retain their color longer. However, latex doesn’t adhere to surfaces as well. It shrinks when it dries, which can cause the surface to prematurely fail if the coat isn’t well-adhered to the surface.

When to Use Oil-based Paint?

Oil-based paint is a safe choice when painting over a previous oil finish. Oil-based is a great choice for doors, windows, and trim when you want a very smooth finish. Oil paints have self-leveling properties that reduce the appearance of brush marks.

If your project demands the most durable finish possible, oil-based paint is a good choice. Oil paint is great at resisting scratches, scuffing, and general wear and tear. Outdoor metal furniture, metal handrailing, and other similar surfaces are good candidates for oil-based paints.

When to Use Latex Paint?

It’s good practice to use latex when painting over previously painted latex. Latex, or 100% acrylic paints, are the most popular paints to use for exterior home repaints because they retain their color and gloss the longest when exposed to the sun. Latex is also popular for home interior projects because of its ease of use and favorable odor.

How do You Paint Over Oil with Latex Paint?

If you have decided to paint over oil with latex paint, you need to follow some important steps to ensure the best outcome. It’s really all about the surface prep.

  • Clean the surface – Remove dirt, grease, and contaminants with a quality degreasing pre-paint cleaner.
  • Scuff it up – You need to create a profile for the latex paint to stick to. Use a sander to scuff up the surface. Then wipe or wash off the dust and let it dry before moving to the next step.
  • Prime it – Even though you scuffed the surface, it’s wise to add an extra layer for the latex to bond to.
  • Paint two coats – Finally, apply two full coats of high-quality latex paint.  

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If you’re in the market for a new exterior or interior paint, we can help. We use the highest quality paints from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams to ensure you get a finish that looks great and lasts. Ready to schedule your next exterior or interior paint project? Schedule a free estimate today!

Can you mix latex and oil based paints together?

As a general rule, any oil is hydrophobic and oil-based paints won't mix with any water-based paints. You can, however, use two different mediums in a mixed media painting: water-based paint first, as it needs to adhere well to the canvas, and once it dries, you can paint over a layer of oil-based paint.

What happens if you mix oil

Because oil and water don't mix, when you apply any water-based paint over oil-based surfaces, you're always going to get this cracked and peeling paint.

Can you mix oil based primer with latex paint?

Using Latex on an Oil-Based Primer Oil primers and paints take longer to dry and require additional ventilation, meaning a blend of latex and oil can reduce time and discomfort without sacrificing durability.

What happens when you put oil

If you're wondering whether or not you can apply oil-based paint over latex, it really isn't a smart decision, but it is possible. The reason professionals advise against doing this is because latex paint is flexible in nature, and as a result, oil-based paints won't properly adhere to them.