Painting over oil-based paint with water-based paint is likely to cause peeling or chipping because water-based paints don’t bond well with the glossy surface of oil-based paint.
However, with the right preparation, you can successfully use ECOS water-based paint over an existing oil-based paint following these steps:
STEP 1: PREP
- Remove as much gloss from the surface as possible using coarse garnet sandpaper or liquid deglosser
- Use fine-grit sandpaper (180 to 220 grit) to go over the surface after the gloss has been removed
- Sand the surface until it’s level and no longer slick
- Wipe the surface with a tack cloth to pick up any sanding dust
STEP 2: CLEAN
- Clean the surface with a sponge and suitable cleaning agent
- Wipe the surface a second time with a clean sponge dampened with fresh water
- Allow the surface to dry
STEP 3: PRIME
- Apply ECOS Universal Primer or another bonding primer formulated to stick to oil paint, glossy or other hard-to-paint surfaces for optimal adherence
- Apply one to two coats of the bonding primer and dry according to directions
- The old surface is adequately primed when the former paint color, stain or other surface imperfections are no longer visible
STEP 4: PAINT
- Apply at least two coats of ECOS paint over the primed surface
- Allow for ample drying time before applying a second coat
For best results, refer to the product-specific Application Instructions on each product page.