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Paint Remodeling

Primer over oil based lead paint

last year

last modified: last year

We are renovating a house with oil based paint on the trim (windows, baseboards, crown) and doors. Everything needs a fresh coat of paint as it's an off white and I prefer a brighter white. I am assuming that there is lead in the paint due to the age of the house (1971). I haven't tested but I think it's a safe assumption.

I am looking for a primer that:

Will encapsulate the lead paint within reason (I'm not worried about anyone gnawing on the trim) but since I have to prime and paint anyway, I would like to do my best to cover it properly
Goes on smoothly
Will adhere to the oil based paint without requiring sanding (due to the high probability of lead)
I can use a latex top coat without fear of it peeling off

I have read about thick encapsulating paint made for lead, but I have also read that it does not go on smoothly.

I am very paranoid about choosing the wrong primer. When we purchased our last home, the previous homeowners apparently painted the trim and doors before listing the home for sale. They did not prime the surfaces properly and used latex over the old oil paint. Everything started peeling a few weeks after we moved in and it's been a nightmare to deal with. Choosing the proper primer so that I can use latex without fear is very important to me.

I've looked at

Zinsser 123

Zinsser BONDZ

Zinsser Cover Stain

BM Stix

Any other recommendations or thoughts about the above?

Thank you so much!

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Comments (3)

cat_ky
last year
A good primer would be one that says, it is a bonding sealing primer. You do need to lightly sand, before you do any type of primer. It needs to be a bit roughed up for the primer to adhere properly. The sealing bonding primer can be latex based, or oil based. You can recoat either one with latex paint. You also need to clean that trim well, before you light sand, or degloss, and make sure it is also wiped down well, before you prime it.

The previous owners had done the same thing here, as your previous house. Thankfully, they didnt get to all the rooms.
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
last year
You need either a shellac or oil based primer. Since you can’t sand wash it down with tsp substitute first. Sand lightly after priming before putting on the top coats of latex.
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There are new paints which have been developed and work like oil based. Primarily in the auto industry. You can go to an auto paint store and they will mix color, contents, ect. for whatever is needed. I had read the post you mentioned. There were many questions about my house regarding lead paint and certainly the 100s of old homes around here are in the same situation. Am not sure if this is true or not, but have been told if an old house has layers of paint which are not lead it is not considered an issue. My house has the original shingles for siding. They are still in great shape, no clue how many coats of paint. But I'm not going to tear them all off and do something else. I do touch up every summer with paint. A great thing about having a white house. Plus, I've probably lived in houses my whole life with lead, eating fats up for question from years ago and my kids eating stuff no one probably knows about. What this does to me and them is up for grabs. I do understand concerns regarding children eating lead. I don't understand how the fact the very first layer of paint in my house which may have lead in it affects me. And what are they going to do with my artist paints/chalks/liquids? Been around those all my life too as have my children. Guess it is time for statistics and other info to smarten me up. Being old I guess this hasn't really been of concern, although I have thought of all exposed to through the years.
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That's right. And it's likely in violation of a pile of regulations to sand lead paint inside a residence without using proper containment, complete cleaning afterwards, followed by lead dust wipe samples to confirm clean conditions. This falls under the lead paint repair and renovation regulations. If you are sanding lead paint and merely 'trying' you are putting the residents (and particularly their children) at risk, as well as opening yourself up to fines and penalties if you get caught. https://www.epa.gov/lead/renovation-repair-and-painting-program And I quote: EPA's Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP Rule) requires that firms performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities and pre-schools built before 1978 have their firm certified by EPA (or an EPA authorized state), use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers and follow lead-safe work practices. List of federal enforcement cases from 2016 (ranging up to $300,000): https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/fy2016-enforcement-actions-lead-renovation-repair-and-painting-rule-rrp Don't screw around with lead paint. It creates risks that are more studied and defined than almost any other toxin.
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Lindsey Brady
Original Author
last year
HALLET & Co.

Do you have a specific recommendation?

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