Flat paint, latex paint question?
Question:My restroom is painted an ugly peachy color and you can see the paint has little cracks on it all over the wall. I do not know if the paint in the restroom is oil-based or water-based, but I do know that it is a flat paint because it does not have that glossy effect that latex paint has, it's just flat and its begining to show little cracks all over the walls.
I wanted to paint my restroom a bright latex white, can I do so without priming it? Can I just paint a latex white over the peachy flat, crackling paint that is there now without a problem?
Answers:
surface cracks indicate that there is an adhesion problem. something on that surface did not allow the paint coating to penetrate and/or cure as it should. most likely due to surface contamination or latex coatings on top of an unprepared harder oil-based coated surface.
hairsprays and other aerosol overspray are a common problem in restrooms. paint often does not completely penetrate the surface and begins to separate in those areas.
the best solution for you is.....surface preparation (sanding) and priming before topcoating.
there are tests you can do to determine what type of coating is on the surface. however, using an oil-based primer, or a fast-drying primer called "kilz" is what i'd recommend to start (after any patching or sanding)
also, try to avoid flat paints in this area. low-sheen or semi-gloss finishes are better because they are more durable, scrubbable and provide a harder surface.
good luck with your project :)
I'd sand it then prime it just to be sure, especially since you don't know for sure if the existing paint is oil-based or water-based (if you gamble and skip the primer, all of your hard work might peel away!) And definitely use a semi-gloss or gloss for a bathroom, way easier to clean and way more resistant to moisture problems!
since you do not know wether the exsisting paint is oil or latex you have no choice but to prime it first, use kilz as a primer and then topcoat.
Do it right.sand and prime. Otherwise you could be painting yet again.
usually paints for concrete and walls are water-based. that would include latex paints. you could normally put the white latex on top of the existing paint except, if tere are cracks, that means that you have to resolve the situation first with the current paint or anything you put on top will also have problems i.e. cracks.
try to sand the cracked paint first or even strip it if you like. just make sure you have a nice even surface before you paint or all your efforts might be put to waste.
Your "cracking" as you describe it is a moisture problem. I would use an orbital sander to smooth the surface.
A professional would first use an oil based primer. Then apply latex with either an egg-shell or glossy finish.
Always prep the walls before painting so you have a nice painted room and not a room with peeling paint. If the paint is showing cracks now the wall was never prepped correctly and you will have layers of paint chipping,cracking and peeling all over again.
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