On Today's Episode
We're (kind of) back at it after being out sick for 2 weeks! On today's show, we'll talk about:
- Where we've been for the last 2 weeks and why
- Can You Paint Latex Over Oil?
- 5 Questions You Should Ask Before Every Home Decorating Project
Where We've Been . . . and Why! [00:00 - 03:45]
We've been out for a couple of weeks and to help me get a new show together for the week, I'm joined by Dan Altena and Ali Bryde. Both are RepcoLite employees. Dan's the president and has been with the company since 1978. Ali came on board about 1 month ago. I'm glad both could join me so we could get a new show together after a 2 week hiatus.
Can You Paint Latex over Oil? [03:45 - 19:00]
It's a question that comes up periodically. The short answer is "yes," but there are some things to know:
The "Is It Oil or Latex Test"
Sometimes it's difficult to tell if the paint on a given surface is oil or latex. Fortunately, there's a simple test that will get you the answer every time. All you need to do is dampen a rag with ammonia and wipe the surface you're testing. If the paint softens slightly or if some of the color comes off on the rag, then it's latex paint. If there's no change to the paint, then it's oil.
It's Oil . . . But Is it Lead-Based?
If you test the surface and determine that your previous coating is oil-based paint, you can still make the transition to latex. But in order to get great results, you need to do the proper surface preparation. And before we talk about that, we need to quickly mention lead-based paints.
Prior to 1978, lead was used in the production of paint. If the surface you're painting was painted in 1978 or earlier, there's a chance lead could be present. The closer you are to 1978, the less likely you are to find lead. The earlier the surface was painted, the likelihood increases. If you're unsure the surface is lead, you can secure a test kit. And, finally, if you determine that the paint you're dealing with is lead-based, you'll want to take different steps than what I'm going to lay out below. Check this link for more info!
Whew! It's Just Regular Oil-Based Paint . . . Now What?
If you are only dealing with regular oil-based paint, here are the steps to successfully making the shift to latex paint:
- Wash the surface with a good degreaser (Krud Kutter, Challenger, TSP)
- Scuff sand with a 180-220 grit sandpaper
- Wipe all the sanding dust off with a damp rag (NOT a tackcloth)
- Prime with a bonding primer (STIX from Insl-X or QuickSand from RepcoLite)
- Topcoat with your choice of latex paints
Five Questions to Ask Before Starting A Home Decorating Project [19:00 - 39:07]
Making over a space in our home can be a lot of fun. But it can also be daunting! There are a lot of decisions to make, work to accomplish, and (usually) money that needs to be spent. We definitely don't want to make mistakes that cost us time and dollars.
To help you move through your next project with confidence, here are 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Start:
Question 1: How do I want this space to make me feel?
Yes, this is a touchy-feely question. But it's incredibly important. Answering this question helps you make other decisions down the road. So give it some serious thought. What do you want to feel when you enter or spend time in the space you're going to be working in?
Are you looking for a cozy and relaxing vibe for a living room? Are you wanting to feel that "Ahhhhhh, I'm home" feeling when you walk into your entry? Are you hoping to create an energized, exciting atmosphere? Or a space that just makes you feel happy?
Think about the space. Think about...
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