What kind of paint should i use

Cindy T
by Cindy T
Don't know if I have oil based or water based paint on my walls and trim...
How can I tell...and then what kind of paint should I use...

  5 answers
  • Landsharkinnc Landsharkinnc on Feb 16, 2018

    in an inconspicuous place, a cotton ball with 95% rubbing alcohol will remove latex/acrylic paint. Won't damage oil base; if you have Oil base, you'll need oil paint, or a latex/acrylic with primer including.

  • Kathy Jones Adams Kathy Jones Adams on Feb 17, 2018

    I go to the paint store they have been exceptional over the yesrs ie the kitchen and bathroom needs to be wipeable and I got special paint in the hallway where the little ones were scratching leaving marks etc— Home Depot and Lowes helpful also- used for the basement banister porch and deck! Best


  • Jack of all Jack of all on Feb 17, 2018

    Scrape a piece of the paint big enough to hold and lite it with a lighter if it flames it's oil paint if it doesn't it's water base paint. Remember oil base paint is hard to get today so if you are painting over oil base paint you must use a good sealer before painting with water base or it will peel .

  • Genie Genie on Feb 17, 2018

    Either way, I would recommend that you use a water-based paint. Just use a good primer first. Someone at the paint store can recommend an appropriate one if you tell them that you don't know what you presently have.

  • Hope Williams Hope Williams on Feb 17, 2018

    If your paint your covering is an oil based paint, you will need an oil based primer (no paint) to be able to paint it with latex and it to adhere. If you paint it in oil base over latex it will be fine. IMO; I always paint my trim and base molding in oil. It is so much more durable and cleaner up so much better. And stains are a thing of the past!