The ability of a new paint layer to stick properly to existing oil paint depends critically on whether the original oil paint is fully cured. Based on the provided references, the type of paint you can apply varies depending on the curing state.
Understanding the Curing Process
Before applying any new paint, it is essential to make sure the existing coat is fully cured. Curing is a chemical process (oxidation) where the paint hardens completely, not just feels dry to the touch. This process can take a significant amount of time, often weeks or even months, depending on the paint type, film thickness, and environmental conditions. Applying a new coat over uncured paint can lead to adhesion problems, cracking, and peeling.
Painting Over Uncured Oil Paint
If the existing oil-based coating has not yet fully cured, your options are limited according to the references. Applying incompatible paint types over uncured oil paint will likely result in adhesion failure.
- Reference Insight: The references explicitly state: "If the existing natural oil-based coating hasn't cured, only use a natural oil-based paint to cover it."
This means that to ensure proper adhesion over uncured oil paint, you must apply another layer of natural oil-based paint.
Painting Over Cured Oil Paint
The references emphasize that the existing coat must be fully cured before proceeding. While the provided references state this crucial precondition ("Make sure the existing coat is fully cured"), they do not explicitly list all paint types that can be applied over fully cured oil paint. However, the necessity of curing implies that after this stage, other options beyond just oil-based paints may become viable if proper preparation steps are followed (like cleaning and priming, though these steps are not detailed in the provided text).
Based on the given information, here's a summary of what paint sticks to oil paint, specifically addressing the uncured state:
| Existing Oil Paint State | What Paint Sticks? |
|---|---|
| Not Fully Cured | Only Natural Oil-Based Paint |
| Fully Cured | Requires curing as a precondition; compatible options not fully detailed in provided references. |
In summary, the provided references indicate that only natural oil-based paint should be used over uncured oil paint. Ensuring the original oil paint is fully cured is a critical step before applying any new finish.
