We all know that paint can brighten up a room, but sometimes we get stuck when it comes to choosing the right paint finish. If you’re wondering whether you can paint over gloss paint, the short answer is yes!
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Determining If You Need to Paint Over Gloss Paint
One of the most common questions we get asked here at Paint 360 is whether or not you can paint over gloss paint. The answer is not as simple as a yes or no, and in order to determine the best course of action for your specific project, there are a few factors you need to take into consideration.
Checking the Sheen
Gloss paint has a high sheen because it contains more resin, which reflects light. The more matte the paint, the less light it reflects.
To see if your paint is glossy, hold it up to the light. If you can see your reflection, it’s glossy. If not, it’s probably matte, although some satin paints may not reflect your image clearly either.
You can also do the fingernail test. Simply run your fingernail over the dried paint; if it leaves a mark, the paint is probably glossy.
Assessing the Paint’s Condition
To see if your paint is in good enough condition to paint over gloss, perform the following touch test: run your fingertips along the surface of the paint. If the paint comes off on your fingers, it’s in poor condition and you will need to remove it before repainting. If the paint is reversibly damaged (such as scuffed areas), you may be able to lightly sand down these spots, clean them, and then repaint.
Preparing the Gloss Paint for Painting
You can paint over gloss paint, but you need to do some prep work first. The key to painting over gloss paint is to create a surface that the new paint can adhere to. This can be done by sanding the gloss paint or using a deglosser. Once you have prepared the surface, you can then paint over the gloss paint with a new color.
Washing the Surface
Before you can paint over gloss paint, you need to properly prepare the surface. This means washing the surface with a mild detergent and water to remove any dirt, grease or other contaminants that might prevent the new paint from adhering properly. You should also sand the surface lightly with a fine-grit sandpaper to roughen it up and give the new paint something to cling to.
Sanding the Surface
The key to success when painting over glossy surfaces is adequate preparation, which includes sanding the surface to provide a “tooth” for the new paint to grip. You don’t need to remove all of the gloss; just scuff up the surface so the new paint will adhere.
If you are painting over a semi-gloss or high-gloss paint, start with medium-grit sandpaper (100-grit) so you don’t damage the surface. If you are painting over a flat/matte paint, you can start with coarse-grit sandpaper (60-grit). Work your way up to fine sandpaper (200-grit) for both types of surfaces. Use a sanding pad if you can; it will save your arm some fatigue.
Painting Over the Gloss Paint
It is possible to paint over gloss paint, but it can be a little bit more difficult than painting over flat paint. The first thing you will need to do is sand the surface of the gloss paint so that the new paint will have something to adhere to. You will also need to use a primer before you paint so that the new paint will not chip or peel.
Painting with a Roller
If you’re using a roller, you can use a gloss or semi-gloss paint. start by painting the trim with a 2-inch brush. Then roll out the walls. Roll slowly and evenly along the length of the wall. Start at the top of the wall and work your way down.
Painting with a Brush
If you want to paint over gloss paint with a brush, you need to use a product that’s specifically designed for that purpose. Gloss paint is very hard and smooth, so it’s not easy to paint over it with a brush. You need to use a product that will create a smooth surface for the new paint to adhere to.
There are two types of products you can use: an oil-based primer or a latex primer. Oil-based primers are more effective, but they’re also more smelly and messy. Latex primers are less effective, but they’re much easier to work with.
If you decide to use an oil-based primer, make sure you ventilation in your room is good. Open windows and doors and use fans to circulate the air. Oil-based primers can be very smelly, so you don’t want to be breathing them in for too long.
Once you’ve decided on a primer, apply it to the glossy surface with a brush. Work in small areas and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how long you should wait before painting over the primer. Once the required time has passed, you can start painting over the primer with your chosen paint color.
