How to Paint Over Oil Based Paint (4 Easy Steps)

Water and oil don’t mix naturally. Your new acrylic paint needs help sticking to that old oil finish. Here’s the proven four-step method that prevents peeling.

Step 1: Sand Away the Gloss (30-45 minutes per room)

Use fine-grit sandpaper between 180 and 220 grit. Your goal isn’t removing all the paint. You’re just knocking down that glossy shine.

Work in circular motions across the entire surface. Pay extra attention to high-traffic areas like door handles and cabinet edges. These spots have more buildup.

Sand until the surface feels slightly rough to the touch. This texture gives your bonding primer something to grip. Wipe away sanding dust with a damp cloth afterward.

Cost breakdown: A pack of 220-grit sandpaper costs $8-12 and covers about 300 square feet. For a standard kitchen cabinet project, budget $15-20 for sandpaper.

Step 2: Deep Clean with TSP (20-30 minutes)

Mix one-quarter cup of trisodium phosphate tsp with one gallon of warm water. This powerful cleaner removes grease, grime, and any remaining dust from sanding.

Wear rubber gloves and safety glasses. TSP can irritate skin and eyes. Work in a well-ventilated space, especially when cleaning painted interior surfaces.

Dip your sponge in the TSP solution and wring it out. You want it damp, not dripping. Wipe down every inch of your paint surfaces. The solution will look dirty as it picks up contaminants.

Make a second pass with clean water to rinse. Let everything air dry completely before moving to the next step. This usually takes 2-3 hours depending on humidity.

• Alternative option: If you prefer eco-friendly products, substitute TSP with a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water. It takes more elbow grease but works well on preparing the surface tasks.
• Cost note: A box of TSP costs $10-15 and handles multiple rooms. One box typically covers 500-600 square feet of surface area.

Step 3: Apply Bonding Primer (Application time varies by project size)

This step makes or breaks your project. Regular primers won’t cut it when painting over oil based paint with oil based paint alternatives. You need a specialized bonding primer designed for glossy surfaces.

Quality bonding primers create a chemical bridge between oil and water formulas. They grab onto that old oil based coating and provide a perfect base for your new latex paint.

Apply one coat with a quality brush or roller. Work in thin, even layers. Thick coats can sag and create texture problems. Let the primer dry according to label directions, usually 1-2 hours.

Check for any spots where the old paint color shows through. These areas need a second primer coat. This happens often with dark colors or stained wood showing through.

Best primers for oil-to-latex conversion:

• Oil-based bonding primers: $30-45 per gallon (covers 300-400 sq ft)
• Water-based bonding primers: $25-35 per gallon (covers 350-400 sq ft)
• Shellac-based primers: $35-50 per gallon (best for stain blocking)

Step 4: Apply Two Coats of High Quality Paint (Full day project)

Once your primer dries completely, you’re ready for the fun part. Choose a high quality latex or acrylic paint rated for your specific project.

Apply your first coat in smooth, even strokes. Don’t overload your brush or roller. Multiple thin coats always beat one thick coat. Let the first coat dry for at least two hours before starting the second.

The second coat brings out your true paint color and provides durability. Interior painting projects need this double coverage for longevity.

Paint costs for common projects:

• Premium interior latex paint: $40-60 per gallon
• Cabinet-grade acrylic paint: $50-70 per gallon
• Exterior-grade paint: $45-75 per gallon

   

A gallon covers roughly 350-400 square feet with two coats. A typical 10×12 room needs 1-2 gallons total.