Painting over previous stain + varnish
Hi Everyone,
I have a shelf – actually more of a hutch- that is recessed into a wall that I want to repaint it. Many years ago, it was used to house a fish tank. Now, it is being used as a book shelf, but I plan on bringing it back to it’s original form and put a fish tank there.
It has previosly been stained and varnished. Over the weekend, I scuffed it up good with some real gritty sand paper. Last night I painted it with two coats of Kills oil based primer (stuff is real smelly). I have good adhesion and good coverage. I don’t expect any problems with any bleedthrough stains or and bad adhesion.
My question is this: Can I do a latex top coat? I was planning on going with a benjamin moore linnen white latex in a pearl finish (to match the rest of the trim in the room).
The can of kills says after 1 hour dry time (I gave it all night to be safe) you can top coat with latex or oil based top coat
But I want to know what he collective breaktime wisdom has to say about this. Is latex cool?
BTW, I had the latex on hand last night and at 11pm I REALLY wanted to throw at least one coat on but I forced myself to wait so I could ask here. And just for the record, whats teh general rule about mixing oil based and latex based paints/primers.
Thanks
Andrew
Replies
Hi again,
I know this ain't prime time but when I get home at 7 tonight that things getting painted, so speak know or forever hold your peace....... because if I screwed up w/ the latex I don't want to know.
I don't believe you will screw up by putting the latex over the Kilz.
Seems like I've read here that putting oil on top of latex is less than wise, but latex on oil is not a problem (especially when the label directions endorse it!).
It's possible that you would get a more durable finish with an oil base paint, but these days anymore it is hard to predict. The latex paints have come a long ways and the oils are handicapped by government regulations.
Enjoy your fish.
Rich Beckman
Another day, another tool.
Thanks Rich. I'm going to do a salt water tank. I'm really excited to get the tank started.