Do you have oil-based or enamel-painted walls but want to switch to a water-based paint? This type of transition isn’t the easiest to achieve. Water-based paints often don’t adhere well to the slick surface of oil-based or enamel paints. It is very common to see the new paint peel, chip, crack and flake away from the old wall surface.
Despite these risks, you might still want to convert your walls. Acrylic wall paints or water-based wall paints tend to be much more functional for building walls and making this switch can help you achieve walls that look a lot softer and more velvety.
Fortunately, there are some good ways to get your new water-based coat to stick properly. Let’s take a look at some good strategies to help that new coat stick and stay smooth and beautiful for many years to come.
The Best Reasons to Switch To Water-Based Paint
Switching from an oil-based paint to a water-based paint can be a very good decision. Water-based paints might not be as durable or as easy to clean as enamel paints, but they tend to be more convenient for reasons like the following.
- Dries within one hour, while enamel paint takes up to 24 hours to dry.
- Doesn’t produce as many toxic fumes or chemical odours.
- Rooms can be ready much quicker after repainting.
- The cleanup is easier since painting equipment or spills can be cleaned with water.
- Easier and quicker to touch up flaws and imperfections.
- Available in matte surface finishes.
- The matte hues don’t highlight wall imperfections as much.
How To Switch from Oil- to Water-based paint
It is possible to make the transition from oil-based paint to water-based paint, but only if you prepare the wall properly. Here are the steps for preparing an oil-based wall so you can coat it with some latex or acrylic paint.
Step 1 – Cleaning
First, grab a bucket and a cloth and wipe down your walls. It is important to remove dirt and grease. You can use a mild dish detergent or some trisodium phosphate to wash the walls.
Step 2 – Sanding
Enamel paints tend to be slick and smooth. This can make it very hard for new paint to properly cling to the surface. It is best to sand down the entire wall surface to add some texture to it. You can use a 120 or 15 grit sandpaper.
Step 3 – Clean Again
All of the loose particles created by sanding need to be properly washed away. It is best to wipe down your walls with a damp cloth.
Step 4 – Primer and Bonding Agent
Get a quality high-bonding primer for your walls. This needs to be applied all over the wall, and you need to wait for the primer to dry. A bonding agent is a key step. Without this bonding agent, the new coat of paint will never properly cling.
Step 5 – Repainting the Wall
Once the bonding agent has fully dried, you can repaint your walls. Use a good quality acrylic or latex paint and apply several coatings.
Professional Wall Painters in Melbourne
If you want to eliminate the risk of peeling, flaking, or bubbling for your new coat of paint, then it is best to call We Fix Walls. Our company specialises in repainting walls and we can help you with this challenging process.
With quality products and expertise from our skilled painters, we guarantee that the new acrylic paint layer will cling well. We also guarantee that your walls will be velvety smooth when our transformation process is complete.
Call We Fix Walls now and find out more about our wall painting services in Melbourne or to learn more about the best acrylic paint types to use when you are refreshing your walls.
