Can You Paint Over Gloss

Contents:

• Tools you need
• Step-by-step
• Tips for efficiently painting over gloss
• Aftercare
• Key takeaways
• FAQs

People often aren’t sure if they can paint over gloss paint because it has a smooth and shiny surface that fresh paint might not stick to. It’s also a DIY topic you hear conflicting advice about sometimes. The important thing to know is that you can paint over gloss paint, as long as the gloss paint you want to paint over is in good condition. You just need to make sure you prepare the surface properly before you start painting.

In this article, we’ll give you a step by step guide on how to paint over gloss paint. Our instructions will work whether you’re painting a wall, a skirting board, or even doing something like painting a composite door. We’ll also answer some questions about paint types, like can you paint gloss over gloss or can you emulsion over gloss?  

Here are all the decorating tools you need for painting over gloss:

• Brush, sponge, water bucket, and sugar soap – for cleaning the surface before you start

• Dust sheets – for protecting the area where you’re working

• Masking tape – to tape off around the edges

• Sanding equipment – for roughening the old paint so the new paint adheres properly

• Lint-free cleaning cloths – to clean dust off after sanding

• Paint brushes and paint roller – for painting the new paint on

• Paint scuttle or roller tray – for holding your paint

• Step ladder or working platform – if you need to get to any hard to reach spots

• An overall, safety goggles, gloves, and a dust mask – to keep you clean and safe while you’re working

Here are all the materials you need:

• Primer – you almost always need a primer on gloss

• Paint – your new choice of top coat

There are only four steps for painting over gloss paint:

1. Clean the surface

2. Lightly sand the surface

3. Apply a primer

4. Paint with your chosen finish

Cleaning and sanding the surface are the most important things. Because gloss paint has a smooth surface, a new layer of paint won’t adhere properly unless you prepare the surface carefully.

Be careful to check the condition of the old gloss paint before you start. Make sure it doesn’t show any signs of peeling, flaking, or cracking. If it’s not in good condition, you’ll need to strip all the old paint off completely before you put on new paint.

You can test old paint by sticking masking tape onto it, ripping it off and seeing if any paint comes off.  

If your gloss paint surface is in good condition, you can go ahead and prepare it for a new layer of paint. Use your dust sheets and masking tape to protect the area around where you’re painting before you start. 

Step 1. Clean the surface

The first step is to clean the old gloss paint. This will help your new paint to stick better.

Brush the entire surface down first to get rid of all the big bits of dust. Then fill up your bucket with water and sugar soap, and give it a good mix. After that, clean the entire gloss surface thoroughly with your sponge.

It’s best not to over-wet your sponge when you’re working. Make sure you clean your sponge out frequently in the water as well.  

Get into all the nooks and crannies, and make sure it’s completely clean. Give the surface time to dry off after you’re finished as well. 

Step 2. Lightly sand the surface

The next step is to lightly sand the whole surface of the old gloss paint. You do this to create fine scratches that help the next layer of paint adhere. This is a crucial part of the preparation process.

The idea is to give the old layer of paint a rough texture without damaging the surface underneath. Normally, 180 – 220 grit sandpaper is right for the job.

Wear your dust mask and your safety goggles while you’re working with sandpaper.

Sand the entire surface back, making sure you get right up to the edges and into all the hard to reach spots. Sand until the gloss paint has lost all its shine and the surface has a rough ‘toothed’ texture.  

Clean the dust off with a microfiber cleaning cloth or with your sponge, sugar soap and water. 

Step 3. Apply a primer

You almost always need to use a primer coat on the old coat when you're painting over gloss paint. There are some paints that don’t need a primer, and there are some occasions when people don’t use one. Virtually all of the time, however, you need to use a primer.

Primer will grip well to the old layer of gloss paint, creating a strong base layer for the rest of your paint. This will make your paint more durable and longer lasting. It will also cover stains, prevent chemicals from bleeding through, make the surface more uniform, and reduce the number of top coats you need to get the colour right.  

Once you’ve applied your primer, check the tin for drying times. Leave it for as long as it needs.

Some people try to avoid using a primer, but there’s rarely any benefit. Whether you’re painting gloss over gloss, emulsion over gloss, satin over gloss or almost any type of paint, primer is always a good idea.  

Step 4. Paint with your chosen finish

After your primer has dried, you can paint your top coats of paint on.

Things are easy at this point. Just refer to your paint tin for application instructions. Remember that you’ll always get a better finish with several thin coats rather than with fewer thick coats. 

Refer to the tin for drying times between coats.

What types of paint can I use?

You can paint almost any type of paint over gloss paint, as long as you prepare the surface properly and use a primer that is compatible with your top coat.

Here are some tips:

• You can paint fresh gloss paint over gloss

• You can paint emulsion over gloss

• You can paint satin paint over gloss

• Many specialist paints even work on old gloss paint.

You still need to use a primer if you’re painting over gloss with gloss. It’s also important that you do the same preparation when you paint gloss over gloss as you do with all other types of paint. 

The most important thing is to make sure you don’t rush the cleaning and sanding stages of the job. They can take a little while, but it’s crucial you get this right to make your paint look good and last a long time. Remember that after cleaning and sanding, the rest of the job is easy. So there’s no reason to rush this part.

Here are a few other tips:  

• Make sure the old paint is in good condition before you start - don’t paint over old paint if it might crack, peel, or flake off in the future. If it does, you’ll just end up redoing the whole job.

• Test a small area first when you start sanding - make sure you’re getting the right texture without damaging the surface underneath.

• Ventilate the area while you’re sanding and painting – this will help with fumes and dust. 

Paint is vulnerable to damage before it cures. You should avoid touching or cleaning the paint until it’s had time to cure. It also helps if you can keep it dry and allow good ventilation around it.

Curing times are often longer than people realise:

• Emulsion paints take 2 – 4 weeks to fully cure

• Oil-based paints take 1 week to fully cure

Here are some maintenance tips for after your paint’s had time to cure:

• Cleaning – avoid using abrasive scrubbers. Warm water and detergent works best on water based paints. All-purpose cleaner works best on oil based paints.

• Touch ups – keep the leftovers from your top coat for touch ups

• Repainting – repaint the surface when you notice fading, damage, or bad marks. Check the surface for signs of cracking, peeling, or flaking before you start.

It’s particularly important to be careful when you’re cleaning matt paints because they’re vulnerable to damage. If you paint matt over silk or gloss, for example, clean it gently with soap and warm water. If you’ve painted gloss over gloss, the surface will be harder wearing.

It is possible to paint over old gloss paint. Just make sure the old gloss paint is in good condition before you start, and follow all the right steps when you’re preparing your surface for paint. You can follow the steps and tips in this guide to achieve a professional-looking result. Most paint types work on top of gloss, including painting gloss over gloss and using emulsion paint. Not sure if emulsion paint is right for your project? Find out all the different uses for emulsion paint.