Why would you choose an oil paint in white? In 3 years, it will be yellowed and ugly.

Michael

Wow....
Because the wall is FLAT is an automatic reason TO prime!
* I wouldn't go NEAR this project without priming.
* The sheen of your new paint, and its adhesion will be compromised by the existing Flat.
* Echoing Michael...Why so insistant on Oil? Use a top-quality latex and it'll stay the same nice white.
* This is a classic case for using Cabinet-Coat by Insul-x.
* It's Latex-based, with urethane resins, & levels beautifully!!
* There's lots of info on these threads about it. Do a search and read away! I've used it myself, & sold it to customers at our store. Very good stuff!!

Faron

Michael...have never had a problem with the white oil paint yellowing over the years and I have used oil-based semi-gloss in white (or a variation of white - bone white, dove white, etc.) in my previous homes and in my present home. I have always used top quality paints - Ben Moore, Pratt and Lambert. This may be true of the white oils years ago, but, again, have never had this problem with yellowing.

Faron. I have checked with some local paint stores who sell top quality paints and they have said the semi will adhere fine to the flat. I was certain they would recommend some product they sell to prime the flat, since they they are in the business of selling, but they did not. I believe I will get ten different answers from ten different painters. Who mfrs. Cabinet-Coat Insul-X.

I have always liked the look and durability of oil and one would agree it does hold up beautifully if you use good paint. I found out yesterday that my local paint store is now only carrying quarts of oil, so I may go with a high quality latex semi-gloss. I am just afraid I am not going to like the results and my foyer and stairwell are areas one sees when entering my home. I am a bit weary of the finished look. I may take a sample and paint a small area on the second level and see how it looks.

Hi again Dorry,
You're right! You'll get 8 or 10 diff. answers' from 10 painters.
* However...If you primed half of your existing "flat" wall, & DIDN'T prime the other...
* ...and applied two finish-coats of your Oil (or Latex...doesn't matter) to the whole wall, I'll GUARANTEE you'll be able to tell the difference the next day within 3 seconds.
* The sheen of the S/G will be brighter & more even on the primed side. Depending on the quality of the exising flat, the sheen will be less, and more varied on the non-primed side.
* Flats typically are a little more porous. Primers stop uneven absorption of the finish coats, which lets the sheens "devolope" on TOP of the primers...instead of being absorbed unevenly INTO the flat paint. That affects sheen eveness.

>>> Your local stores are "mostly" correct. Sure, the S/G will adhere OK, BUT...see my above points again.

Whatever you choose, it's nice to have new paint in the house!
Faron

You could get 10 different answers if you asked 10 different paint pros. Thing is, I'd ask Michael and Faron first because they know of what they speak. I trust their input and opinion. They don't cut corners or use/recommend cheap products.

The state of oil paints in this day and age is indeed an interesting subject to Google. All the money, the research and development of the last five, maybe even 10 years, has been dedicated to the development of low VOC and quality waterbourne product. Not oil/alkyd.

It is possible that oil based paint will go the way of lead paint and asbestos. Today, it certainly has its place and is the best choice in a variety of instances, but those instances are growing narrower by the passing of each day it seems.

I like this article, it gives a balanced look at what has happened and the direction of the future. Latex vs. oil.

I will have the painter prime with Ben Moore Fresh Start. I googled that Insul-X and could not find anything about it. I have always been happy with BM products, so I am sure the Fresh Start will work fine. The painter applied the non-shrinkable spackle to the nail holes today and caulked where the trim meets the wall, tomorrow he will finish prepping, then apply the primer, the the top coat of semi-gloss.

I will keep you apprised and let you know what I think about the latex semi-gloss. As mentioned previously, I love the look of oil on trim -more durable, richer looking, but I am open-minded and hope I will be pleased with latex semi.

Thanks for everyone's input.

dorry,

You won't be pleased with just any latex semi-gloss on the trim.

It must be either 100% Acrylic Enamel OR a Waterborne similar to Muralo, Impervo or Pro Classic.

Michael