In the world of house painting in Concord, there are different finishes, ranging from flat to glossy. Semi-gloss paints are generally ideal for areas where moisture, grease, food spills, oil spills, crayon marks, and grease often end up on walls – such as your kitchen, bathroom, and entryway.
But if you wish to tone down some of the gloss and glare but still want a paint finish that’s resistant to moisture and grease, you may want to consider satin paint. Yes, you can paint over gloss with satin! A lot of homeowners prefer satin over other types of paint finishes. Not too flat but not too glossy either. Satin paints are generally the “happy medium” between flat and glossy.
Satin paints give off a lustrous appearance, making your spaces look luxurious. Compared to flat or matte paints, satin paints offer resistance against moisture and grease and, thus, are easier to clean. But unlike semi-gloss and glossy paints, satin paints do a better job of hiding surface flaws. These are the reasons why satin paints are the preferred paint finish for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, children’s rooms, entryways, garages, and many more.
Advantages of satin paints
These are the following reasons why a lot of homeowners prefer satin paints over other paint finishes:
- They are a great choice for do-it-yourself wall painting because they dry pretty fast (around 30 minutes).
- Satin paints are more forgiving against brush and lap marks than semi-gloss and glossy paints.
- They are compatible with other paint products, such as primers and sealers, making satin paints a favorite choice for achieving a professional-looking finish
- Satin paints are less porous than flat or matte, so they are less likely to absorb water, grease, and stains, making them easy to wipe down and clean.
- They make your home look luxurious and elegant.
- They don’t emit too much glare as semi-gloss and glossy paints do.
Satin paints are ideal for the following surfaces:
- Bathrooms walls
- Kitchen walls
- Doors
- Trim
- Railings
- Staircases
How to paint over semi-gloss surfaces with satin?
If your interior walls are painted with a semi-gloss finish and you want to paint them over with satin, the common method is to sand the walls before painting them. You know that semi-gloss paints are very sleek and shiny. They are also incredibly durable and highly resistant to moisture and scuff marks.
1) Determining the type of semi-gloss paint
Before delving into the actual paintwork, determine whether the semi-gloss paint on your walls is water- or oil-based. This will help to purchase the correct type of satin paint. You might want to read another article House Painting Danville – How to Tell If It’s Oil or Latex, as a guide. If the semi-gloss paint on your walls is confirmed as oil-based, then apply oil-based satin paint over it. If the semi-gloss paint is latex, then use latex satin paint.
2) Preparing the work area
For a smooth painting job, remove anything that can get in the way of your work.
- Remove anything from the walls – framed pictures and photos, decor, light fittings, etc.
- Move out pieces of furniture or cover them with canvas drop cloths or large plastic sheets.
- Protect the flooring with drop cloths and secure their edges with painter’s tape.
- Tape off areas that you don’t want to be painted, such as door and window trim, with painter’s tape.
3) Preparing the surface
- Option 1: Sanding – The one thing that’s significantly absent in semi-gloss paints is the texture. The sleekness and high sheen of the semi-gloss paint make it difficult for the new satin paint to adhere. You must sand the wall gently, applying very little pressure over the entire surface. Use fine-grit sandpaper, preferably 220-grit, for this step. Once you’re done sanding, use a tack cloth to wipe off the dust. Now, your walls have the texture for the primer and new satin paint.
- Option 2: Ammonia solution – If sanding does not appeal to you, here’s another option: mix 1/2 cup of ammonia and 1 gallon of warm water. Use a clean rag to apply the solution on the walls to clean them. If you are wiping the kitchen walls, target the areas that have collected a heavy buildup of oil, grease, food splatters, and grime. Wipe the walls again, this time using just water. Allow the walls to dry completely before moving on to priming and painting.
4) Priming the surface
A primer is an undercoat with a dull and usually gray finish that looks like flat paint but doesn’t exactly work like one. Rather, this preparatory coat helps the finishing paint adhere better to the surface.
Once you’re done stripping the semi-gloss paint from your walls, prime them. For this task, use a latex primer as it offers excellent adhesion for the topcoat and is suitable for both semi-gloss and satin paints.
5) Painting
Now, onto the exciting part – painting! Only choose a high-quality satin to paint the walls. Begin by cutting in around the edges with a 2-inch angled paintbrush. Next, use a paint roller to cover the larger areas. While rolling, keep a wet edge to avoid visible lap marks. Let the paint dry.
Depending on the quality of the paint and coverage, you may need to apply a second coat of paint. The second coat will also help you achieve the maximum “satin” effect.
After the paint dries, inspect the areas that may need some touch-ups.
DIY vs. hiring a pro
Even if you have the best paints and tools, follow the procedures by the book, and apply the best tips and tricks to your interior painting job, it can be challenging to match the smooth and neat finish produced by professional painters.
It is true that satin paints are more DIY-friendly compared to other paint finishes. But if you lack enough skill and experience, you may still end up with unsightly brush strokes, uneven color patches, and lots of dripping paint.
To achieve flawless results and save yourself from the hassles of painting, hiring local residential painters who can help bring your vision to life is best.
Many homeowners prefer satin paints for house painting in Concord because they have the qualities of both flat and glossy paints. If you’re not happy with the sheer brightness of semi-glossy paints and prefer a somewhat flatter finish, then satin paints might be the best option.
Do you need professional help for your upcoming house painting project? Call Custom Painting, Inc. at 925-294-8062 or message us for a free consultation or quote. You can also fill out our Contact form, and we’ll get back to you.