painting over old paint

by Beccie
(Jonesvile, NC)

Hi Grandma and Grandpa,
Grandpa I guess you are reading this to Grandma. Grandma I hope you are not in too much pain. Grandpa this question is for you actually, so I hope you will give me some very much needed advice on painting. We bought a 1940's log home and in the 80's there was some remodeling done. I have tried to paint over the existing paint, in the bathroom on the cabinets. Every time I paint, it wipes off with water. So I primed it and painted it and put poly on it and the poly bled, it looked terrible and unacceptable. Soo I painted again, first I primed and then I painted. I have been using Velspar latex semi gloss paint. Today while washing up from being in the garden I splashed some water on the tile counter top and some ran down the cupboard door. You could see the run, so I wiped it off and the whole door down and got some paint on my cloth. So I guess I will be able to wipe this paint off too. I am very frustrated. Can I seal this paint so it doesn't come off? Grandpa I don't know what to do, but I have 4 bedrooms and 2 baths, Living and dining room, den and office to paint. UGH!!!
Please help if you can. Thank you. Beccie

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Jul 10, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Thank You for Your Concern Beccie
by: Grandma

Hi Beccie,

I just want to say thank you for your concern. I'm feeling much better now and actually getting my spunk back. I've been seeing my Chiropractor for my shoulder and it's coming along. And yes, I've been using some of my own remedies mostly my trusty hot water bottle and ice packs. I've even started my Tai Chi routine again.

I hope all is well with you and your painting project. I'm so glad you found a way to eliminate all the steps of redoing all the work you have already accomplished with your cabinets.

Sending my blessings to you and your new home,

Grandma
Jun 23, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		painting over old paint
by: Beccie

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for your wisdom. I have found that if I prime and then put a light coat on first and then come back with a second coat, the paint is not coming off. I am hoping that this will work. I'm glad to see that you are back to keeping people informed Grandma. How in the world are you feeling. have you tried your own remedies to help the pain? Hope you are feeling better. Beccie
Jun 19, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Painting & Priming
by: Grandma

Hi Beccie,

Grandpa says that you have one heck of a job ahead of you. The reason your paint keeps wiping off is because you are painting over enamel with latex and this is why is won't sink in. The only thing you can do is either strip all the old paint off your cabinets, (and I'm sure you don't want to go through all that work) you're going to have to at least lightly sand down the cabinets to make a rough surface before you prime it again and then paint. But first all the latex you put over the surface is going to have to come off. He says, most likely it will wash off or wet it down and use a wide scraper to scrap it off, it should come off pretty easy.

Once you repaint make sure your paint is completely dry before you put any polyurethane over it, and make sure you only use water based polyurethane.

I remember we went through a job like you're going through many years ago, we were renting and just wanted to spruce the house up to make it bright and livable and we made more of a mess than before we started. Grandpa self-taught himself through trial and error through the years. I keep telling Grandpa that's what keeps us young because we never stop learning. :) Of course he just rolls his eyes at me.

Take care honey, even though it's a lot of work try to take some time to enjoy what you have and be grateful everyday, one day your home will be so beautiful.

Grandma

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