You wouldn’t believe how often we see latex paint painted over oil paint. Sometimes it’s unsuspecting homeowners who didn’t realize they were painting over an oil based paint. Othertimes we find out that the homeowners hired a professional painter last time they had their house painted.
Fortunately there are few different ways to tell if the existing paint is oil based.
Experience painters can tell by touch if your walls have been painted with oil paint. The surface will have a hard, almost glassy smooth surface. This is usually a sign that this is oil paint.
Also, taking the age of your house into consideration helps. There is a very good chance if your house was painted prior to the 1970’s will have oil paint on the walls.
Doors and trim may be painted with oil right up until about 2010. This is the most common places we will find oil based paint. A telltale signs that this is oil based is take a look at the trim in the closet or behind large furniture. The oil paint will discolour and yellow due to the reduced air flow in these areas.
A fool proof way to tell if there is oil paint on the walls or trim is to use rubbing alcohol.
Thanks for reading.
Scott Carmichael, Senior Craftsman. DW Painting
