How Do I Change Satin Paint to Flat?

Dried Paint

• 1

  Sand the satin-painted surface gently with 220-grit sandpaper. Do not abrade the satin paint heavily or you might remove it entirely.

• 2

  Wipe the surface with a clean tack cloth, removing dust created from sanding. Dampen a clean tack cloth with water, and wipe the painted surface again. Let the surface air dry.

• 3

  Apply a light, even coat of liquid de-glosser with a sponge brush to make the satin finish look like a flat finish. Let the de-glosser soak into the satin paint for about 15 to 20 minutes, and then wipe it away with a clean cloth. Follow the liquid de-glosser manufacturer's instructions carefully to ensure the product soaks into the satin paint completely.

• 4

  Brush on a light coat of flat, oil-based paint with a paintbrush. Allow the flat, oil-based paint to dry for two to three hours, and then check the paint's appearance. If the paint doesn't have a flat finish apply more de-glosser and flat, oil-based paint.

Wet Paint

• 5

  Add de-glosser and a flat, oil-based paint in increments to wet satin paint to make its sheen a flat finish. Stir the paint continuously with a paint stirrer as you add de-glosser and flat, oil-based paint.

• 6

  Apply a sample of the mixed paint to a piece of scrap lumber. Apply a sample of unmixed flat paint to the scrap lumber, too. Let both samples dry about three hours.

• 7

  Compare the dry paint samples' sheens to see if they match. If the mixed paint retains a more glossy sheen, then mix it with more flat, oil-based paint to render flat finish. Test the next mixed batch of paint against flat paint. Continue the procedure until the mixed paint has a flat paint sheen.