# Painting over semi-gloss **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 26, 2004, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painting-over-semi-gloss/231209 "2004-02-26T01:14:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Aceospades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Aceospades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aceospades)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painting-over-semi-gloss/231209/1 "2004-02-26T01:14:36Z")
My wife and I went out and got this sexy red paint for our bedroom. It looked good at home depot, but when I painted a little bit on the wall at home, it was too shiny. It’s going to take three or four coats of paint anyway so, If I go back and get the same color in satin or flat and paint over the shinny red, will this work? ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painting-over-semi-gloss/231209/2 "2004-02-26T01:27:44Z")
More important, is what kind of paint it is. If it’s an oil based paint, and you use latex over it, the latex will just peel off. latex over latex, or oil over oil shouldn’t be a problem. On interior work I usually like to give it the a light once over with sandpaper before repainting. Just score it a little and the paint sets better ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painting-over-semi-gloss/231209/3 "2004-02-26T05:04:12Z")
Flat or satin over gloss is a problem. It will cover, but it will peel off later. You’ll have to sand the slick paint a little to give it “tooth.” Then the flat will work just fine. Don’t be fooled into using that “chemical sanding” stuff that you paint on. ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painting-over-semi-gloss/231209/4 "2004-02-26T05:24:21Z")
Former pro painter here: What was the finish on the paint listed? If _gloss_ is the finish on the paint then consign yourself to some serious rub-down. Even if the finish was _satin_ the previous statement applies. The most important thing, as mentioned by \*\*AskNott, is “tooth”. May I recommend ScotchBrite pads to abrade the surface? They’re made of the same material you find on the back of those 3M kitchen sponges. If they’re not out at the local Home Depot I know auto bady places always carry them. And **Scylla** , you might want to sand a little harder. The paint job you apply is as good as the worst one underneath it. ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painting-over-semi-gloss/231209/5 "2004-02-26T05:25:40Z")
What’s that preview button I keep hearing about…