Painting Over Oil With Semi-Gloss Latex

Remove all the light switch and electrical plates from the walls and as much furniture as possible. Move the remaining furniture to the center of the room and cover with a tarp. Fill any holes in the wall using a putty knife and spackling compound. When the compound is dry, sand it lightly to get a smooth finish.

Sand the paint surface with fine sandpaper to prepare it for the primer. This gives the wall more texture so the primer and paint can adhere easier.

Wash the walls with trisodium phosphate (TSP). Mix the TSP according to the manufacturer's instructions or use straight. Wash the entire wall surface with TSP on a sponge and rinse with plain water. Allow the wall to dry before proceeding.

Tape the edges around the walls, doors and windows with painters tape to avoid primer or paint from spilling over. Cover the floor with canvas drop cloths.

Paint the walls with the primer as you would if you were using any other kind of paint. Cut the edges in with a 2-1/2 inch bristle brush and use a roller in a zigzag fashion to cover the entire wall with primer. For the best results, wait for the primer to cure according to package instructions and apply a second coat.

Paint the walls the same way as with the primer, first cutting in the edges and then covering the walls in a zigzag pattern. Once covered, go over the entire surface with overlapping strokes from top to bottom. This ensures the paint is all lying in the same direction and gives an even finished look.