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Can You Paint Eggshell Over Satin? Your Question Answered!

You notice that the sheen of your satin paint is a little too much. It doesn’t really go with the vibe you have in your house. Hence you’re considering painting something with less sheen over it.

Can you paint eggshell over satin?

Yes, you can use eggshell paint over satin paint. If it’s fresh, you can paint it right away. But if it’s old, you’ll have to prep the wall first. You’ll have to sand and prime the wall. Only then you can paint your eggshell paint over it. 

We know we’ve got your full attention. We’re not going to keep you here any longer. Jump in below to find out more!

Can You Paint Eggshell Over Satin?

Yes, definitely you can paint eggshell over satin paint. Well, in case it’s a fresh coat of satin paint. You can use the eggshell paint over it right away. 

But if you’re hesitating on this, you can use a paint primer again. Then go over it with eggshell. 

But if it’s an old paint job, anywhere between 1-2 weeks, then you’ll have to follow a couple of steps. The steps are mostly to prep the wall before you can paint.

How To Paint Eggshell Over Satin? 6 Easy Steps

There are 6 steps you’ll have to follow to do this. Don’t worry if you’re a beginner. We’ll take you through it step by step. But in case you need guidance, you can call a professional. 

You can even paint a locker with these steps. Just follow through up to step 3 and use spray paint instead of latex!

Let’s have a look at the process, shall we?

List Of Essentials 

To start the process you’ll have to gather a couple of things. This will make the process much easier. As you won’t have to move around as much collecting things.

So, here’s the list of things the process will require:

  • Trisodium Phosphate
  • Latex Primer
  • Paint Brush & Roller
  • Latex Paint

So gather your tools and let’s start!

Step 1 of 6: Determine The Type Of Your Paint

First, you’ll have to check whether the satin paint is water or oil-based. Sanding the wall and examining the debris will help you determine that.

For oil-based paint, when you sand, you’ll notice dust falling off. But for water-based paints, you’ll see some sort of latex goop on your sandpaper.

After determining it, you can buy your eggshell paint accordingly. Because if you use water-based over oil-based, the result will not be pretty!

Step 2 of 6: Clean Your Wall

You first need to start by cleaning your surface. Wipe all the soot and dirt with a trisodium phosphate solution. Rinse well with warm water afterward.

This will help to remove all the grease and slipperiness. It’ll also allow the paint to apply smoothly.

After cleaning, you’ll have to wait for 48 hours. Because the wall will still be damp from the cleaning. And the paint won’t stick properly on the wet wall.

Step 3 of 6: Use a Primer (Optional)

This step will only be applicable if your satin paint is darker than your eggshell paint. Because it makes it simple to cover up or change. Otherwise, satin paint doesn’t really need a primer coat.

Suppose your satin paint was dark blue and your eggshell one is white. In such a case,1 or 2 coats of latex primer will help cover the old paint.

Now, you might be on a primer hunt, if you’re in such a situation. But hang on, we’ve something for you! Here’s a list of some of the well-recommended primers:

Product 1
Product 2 

Lather up your brush with one of these and coat your wall. And you’ll notice the change immediately.

You can use white paint instead of primer. This will similarly do the job of a primer. But layer it up at least 2 times before moving further. 

Step 4 of 6: Apply The First Coat of Eggshell Paint

It’s time to paint. You’ll need two coats of latex paint for the best finish.

First, you’ll need a paintbrush and roller. Now, if you’re using latex paint, your brush should have synthetic bristles. For oil-based, use the natural ones.

Now, apply an even coat of paint on the surface. After that, you’ll have to give it at least 5 hours for the first coat to dry. Or look at the instruction manual for the waiting period. 

Step 5 of 6: Correct the Imperfections

Afterward, you’ll have to even out the imperfections such as uneven tone, drips, etc. For this, you’ll lightly scuff the surface with a scotch Brite sponge. It will de-glosses, get rid of streaks, drips, and other imperfections. 

You can use sandpaper on areas that need more attention. Like places with big droplets of paint and unevenness or streaks on them. For this use 120- or 150- grit sandpaper.

For the drips, you can use sandpaper. But if the drips are larger, you’ll have to scrape it off. Use a razor blade to flatten the surface as needed.

After you’re done, wipe the wall with a damp rag to remove the sand dust.

Step 6 of 6: Apply The Second Coat Of Paint

Now that you’ve corrected all the flaws, it’s time for the second coat. Apply a thin layer, similar to the first coat.

Do this step with caution. If you mess this up, you’ll need to repeat steps 5 and 6. This will mean more time and money. Thus proceed with caution. And there you go, all done!

This was all from our end. Now you know the answer to your long-awaited question. And even know the process! You can even paint your kitchen cabinets with this technique!

FAQs

Question: Is eggshell or satin more durable?
Answer: Well, no! The satin paint has more sheen which means more reflective ability. Thus they have more durability comparatively as well. And are used in high-traffic areas for this reason.

Question: Can you paint over satin paint without sanding?
Answer: Yes, it’s definitely possible to paint over satin paint without sanding. But you have to clean your surface twice, to make it spotless. Use a rag and clean water to do so!

Question: Which is easier to clean satin or eggshell?
Answer: The glossier satin stain is very easy and quick to clean. On the other hand, the eggshell ones will need a little more effort. This is because of higher pigmentation.

Bottom Line

With this, we shall be parting our ways. Hopefully, this clarifies your, ‘can you paint eggshell over satin?’ question.

If you find any difficulty in the process, contact a professional!

Until next time, stay well!