How To Convert Oil Based Trim Paint to Latex

Did you just buy a house, and you notice the trim is a little yellow or still has a lot of shine to it?

If yes, there is a good chance the trim was painted with an oil based paint.  As the leading interior painting company in Yorktown and Williamsburg, Virginia we come across a lot of houses with oil based trim. If your house is early 2000’s or before it is a good chance the trim was painted with oil. If you are trying to change the color of the trim paint or give it a fresh coat of paint below is the process to convert your oil based paint into latex base.   

Step 1: Sand down the wood surfaces. You do not need to get it down to bare wood.  A light sand or scuff is perfect.

Step 2: Caulk and putty as needed

Step 3: Use an oil based primer or Sherwin Williams Extreme Bond Primer.  If you use Sherwin Williams Extreme Bond make sure you do a more detailed sanding process. 

Step 4: After primer is dry give the wood a quick fine sand

Step 5: Apply your top coat or coats as needed

This is the simple way to convert your oil based trim to latex.