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Oil based primer?

12 years ago

I have some surfaces that I know where painted with an oil based paint and some I'm not sure if it's oil or latex. I want to prime all these surfaces prior to top coating and want to know if an oil based primer can be applied to any type finish and top coated with a latex paint?

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Comments (8)

kimcoco
12 years ago
Yes, you can apply latex or oil paint over an oil based primer.
footwedge
Original Author
12 years ago
But can you put an oil based primer over a latex paint?
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kimcoco
12 years ago
yes, you can put an oil based primer over latex paint.

You just can't put a latex paint over oil based paint unless you prime first - and most recommend sanding the oil down to a dull surface for better adhesion/durability.
footwedge
Original Author
12 years ago
"and most recommend sanding the oil down to a dull surface for better adhesion/durability."

Does this apply to putting an oil based primer over oil paint or a latex primer over oil paint? I was told by the paint store, if I used an oil primer I would not have to sand.
User
12 years ago
I think it would be helpful to state what the 'surface' is and whether it's inside or outside. As an example, I would not use an oil primer on an inside plaster/ sheet-rock wall and then paint latex/water over it.
paintguy22
12 years ago
It's discouraging that a paint store would give out advice that you don't need to sand. I don't think that an oil based primer is going to grip any better than a latex one either. If we were really going for adhesion, we would use BIN which is shellac based. Also, priming the oil based paint layer before painting with latex is not nearly as important as sanding it. I paint latex over oil all the time without a primer, but I do that because I know how to sand. Some homeowners may not know how to sand properly, so using a bonding primer is just an added safeguard. The best thing you can do is sand, then dust away the sanding dust and prime, then apply two topcoats. I would not mess around with the oil based priemr either. Just use a good bonding all acrylic primer like Fresh Start, Zinnser 123, C2 One, etc.
Faron79
12 years ago
I ALWAYS tell my customers, in "usually" a direct way....

"I don't care what the label says...IDEALLY sand AND prime."

The final decision is now the customer's, and I've stated my recommendation....and the "WHY".

Faron
footwedge
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks paintguy. What's funny is that the directions for the oil based primer called for sanding. Anyway I sanded the crown molding last night, took the oil back and bought some Zinnser 123 today. I will prime tomorrow.

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