How Do I Paint Over Painted Walls (2024)

FAQs

How Do I Paint Over Painted Walls? ›

If you're painting a light color over a darker or intense color, applying one or two coats of primer will prevent the dark color from bleeding through the new paint. The primer will seal off the dark or intense pigment so that the lighter color won't pick up the previous pigment and will go on purely.

Latex or water-based primers are extremely versatile, and they clean up easily with water so they're DIY-friendly to boot. They are great for most interior surfaces, including drywall, wood, and previously-painted surfaces. Plus, these primer types are less susceptible to peeling and cracking than oil-based primers.

The problem could be with the paint you are using. It could be defective, old, or a low quality paint that doesn't cover well. Another option is to try priming an inconspicuous spot, let it dry, then paint over it to see if that helps. If so, go back and prime all the walls with a stain blocking primer.

While sanding is not required for every paint project, rough spots on walls, whether they have been previously painted or not, need to be sanded before they are painted to ensure the paint goes on smoothly.

Frankly, there is NO possible way I'm going to sand an entire piece of furniture and re-stain it. That's a big job! The good news is that you can paint old furniture, without sanding, and it comes out beautifully. I've painted about 8 or 9 pieces of furniture, and I've gotten better results with each one.

You probably don't need a primer paint if the new coat is the same type as the old paint. For example, both are oil-based. You can just pick the paint color you want and keep going.

Your best bet is to use a good layer of primer to ensure a smooth, consistent base layer for the colored paint. In this case, your primer will mask many of the imperfections you're trying to fix. You will need to use a primer in this case.

No, in general, you don't need to prime existing paint, but there are exceptions. To prepare for repainting: wash the wall to remove any grease. fill any holes and cracks with suitable filler, possibly using flexible filler for longer cracks.

Can you just paint over old paint? ›

Yes, you certainly can paint over painted walls, but not with just any old paint over any old painted wall. As long as the underlying paint is sound, you can paint over it, but to achieve a professional result, you'll need to know the specific factors that will give you a high-quality paint job.

Using sugar soap prior to painting is essential as it removes dirt, grease and nicotine stains and etches the surface providing a mechanical key before applying new paint. It is a non-abrasive soap, which contains washing soda and soap.

Satin. With a soft sheen finish and high durability, satin paint is considered the most versatile and best paint for indoor walls. It resists mildew and fading and is easier to clean than flat and eggshell finishes.

Old And New Paint Type

For example, if the homeowner wishes to repaint the oil-based paint with water-based paint or oil-based paint over distemper, removing the existing paint might get necessary as the new coating may chip or peel after some time.

You will want between two and three coats of paint depending on the situation. After the first two coats are applied and dry, take a look to see if the old paint is showing through. You may just need to touch up a few areas, or if lots of paint is showing through, you'll need an entire third coat.

Different types of paint do not bond well. Applying different paint types together on the same surface can result in paint peeling. Oil-based paints do not adhere to latex-based paints and vice versa. To avoid peeling paint, make sure to always use the same paint type.

You probably don't need a primer. If the current wall is smooth, clean and covered with the same type of paint (both are oil-based for example), you can head straight for the paint. You need to fill holes, spackle and sand*, maybe even cut a new piece of drywall in to the existing wall.

That depends on your project. Some people choose to skip this important step, but they're missing out on some of the benefits paint removal provides. Both individuals and businesses have situations where they need to paint strip, and removing old paint gives you a fresh start and a more even new coat of paint.

If the walls have not been repainted in a long time, consider removing the old paint. Repainting over an old and worn-out wall creates several issues. The new paint may not stick to the walls properly, and there is an increased possibility of the newly painted walls developing defects.

Apply Paint

Load your brush or roller with just enough paint to cover the touch-up area. Start in the middle of the touch-up spot, and work your way out to the edges. Without reloading the applicator, feather the edges by making light strokes that extend slightly past the edge onto the surrounding wall.