Asked on Mar 22, 2012

Can you go over latex stain with oil based?

Carol C
by Carol C
I bought latex by mistake to stain my deck when I had always used oil based. Can I go over latex with oil based in the future
  9 answers
  • Becky H Becky H on Mar 22, 2012
    I'm no pro, but oil based paint will cover latex paint, so it would seem you could. But, wait for someone in the field to answer you; I'm just a homeowner.
  • Oil can go over latex but not visa verse.
  • Carol C Carol C on Mar 22, 2012
    Thanks, didn't want to try it til I got someone else's input. Good to know.
  • Just remember salad dressing. . . the oil stays on the bottom while everything else floats on the top.. Shake all you want but it will never stay mixed.
  • We've done an oil over latex on interior trim wainscoting and the result was great and has held up very well!
  • NOPE - you absolutely cannot use latex over oil on a deck...unless its some specially formulated stain made for that purpose. Oil based stains tend to work the best on decks and hold up well in most markets. There are some specially formulated latex paints that are designed to go right over old oil-base paints without priming. Duron Signature Select is one such product that is still carried by Sherwin Williams (they bought Duron a number of years ago). We have used this paint on interiors for years without issue. You just need to light scuff the old oil-based trim first....then happily paint away!
  • Peace Painting Co., Inc. Peace Painting Co., Inc. on Mar 23, 2012
    The question is oil over latex Andy. A good rule of thumb for most stain/sealers is that they will not stick to another stain/sealer if there is still a shine or glossy surface present. That shine can be alleviated by washing with oxalic acid before re-staining. Best, Charles
  • Tim S Tim S on Mar 23, 2012
    If your stain is a solid you can use a primer between the two, if it is a semi-transparent stain, test a small area for adhesion.
  • Dsdssds Dsdssds on Sep 10, 2018

    Oil stains can only be applied on decks if able to penetrate the wood. In this case, the previous coat of acrylic won't allow the oil to penetrate.