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Determine The Type Of Paint You're Painting Over With One Ingredient
By JOANNA MARIE
When painting over old paint, understanding what type of paint you're working with is a crucial first step. The rubbing alcohol test is one of the easiest ways to determine this.
Latex paint is soluble in rubbing alcohol, but oil-based paint isn't. So, when you apply rubbing alcohol to a surface painted with latex paint, the alcohol will dissolve the paint.
To carry out this test, soak a cotton ball or cloth in rubbing alcohol, and rub it on a small, unnoticeable area of your wall to avoid creating a visible mark.
If you notice paint transferring onto the cotton ball, this indicates that the existing paint is latex. If your cloth or cotton ball remains clean, then it is oil-based paint.
Using oil-based paint over latex paint without proper preparation can lead to significant issues. The oil paint may not adhere correctly, leading to peeling, chipping, or flaking.