However, this is only true for a new home; semi-gloss paint will not cover small flaws or conceal the real age of the walls, and it is also rather expensive to paint with.
In such cases, eggshell paint will be an excellent choice for your home. So, before you paint eggshells to do here’s a thorough guideline you should be aware of.
Can you paint eggshells over semi-gloss?
The vast surface area of eggshell paint allows it to adhere to any type of paint, even semi-gloss paints. Although it is advised that the semi-gloss paint be sanded and primed before applying eggshells. Using eggshells over semi-gloss makes cleaning easier, but may lose a notable amount of shine.
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Semi-gloss paint may be appropriate for a new home, but it may lose glossiness with time and may get grimy. If you need to replace your old semi-gloss paint on the wall and want a refined look, eggshell paint can be your top pick.
Eggshell paints are excellent at reflecting light, are simple to clean, and are reasonably priced. As a result, it’s not surprising that more individuals desire to use eggshells in their homes.
To paint eggshells over semi-gloss, you may need to do some easy tasks such as cleaning, sanding, and priming. If sanding is not done, the eggshell paint will not attach properly to the semi-gloss paint.
The smooth surface of semi-gloss paint may give a new home a nice touch, but it will eventually bring out all the flaws and become a sore eye for the walls.
However, with an eggshell, you can simply conceal it and get a more defined appearance of your surroundings.
Can you paint eggshell over semi gloss without sanding?
Yes, you can paint eggshells over semi-gloss paint without sanding.
However, it is highly recommended to go through the process of sanding and prime before applying eggshell semi-gloss.
Semi-gloss paints are designed to resist moisture so it is quite difficult just to paint over it without sanding.
The moisture resistance feature and smooth surface of semi-gloss paint will make it easier for you to clean but when it comes to changing the paint you’ll have to go through a lot of hurdles.
If you are thinking about applying eggshells over semi-gloss paint without sanding then deglosser might be a great solution for you. The deglosser will change the texture of the semi-gloss paint and make it more suitable for the eggshell to stick on.
You can apply the deglosser with a normal paintbrush and let it settle for a few moments then wipe it. Now your wall is ready for repainting although it’s always better to sand it.
4 reason why you can paint eggshells over semi gloss:
There are multiple reasons why you can use eggshell paint over semi gloss paint. Take a look below to understand them more.
Better adhesiveness:
Eggshell possesses a good amount of adhesiveness which makes it a suitable choice to paint over semi-gloss.
The semi-gloss paint has excellent moisture resistance so it is quite hard for a normal paint to stick on. But eggshell paint with its impressive adhesiveness can easily attach itself over semi-gloss paint.
Large surface area:
Eggshell paint has a large surface area which makes it easier to adhere to a smooth surface.
Even applying eggshells over a non sanded semi-gloss wall won’t be that much of a problem thanks to its effective adhesiveness and vast surface area.
Easy to apply:
With eggshell paint you won’t have to worry about any extra step before applying it over any surface.
It’s easy to apply and easy to clean off. Sanding the semi-gloss wall or simply applying deglosser will be enough before painting your wall with eggshell paint.
Affordability:
Whenever you think about changing the paint on your wall the expenses may scare you.
But with eggshell paint, you can be at ease as it’s cheaper than other types of paint and also have significant longevity. So applying eggshell over semi-gloss won’t bring any horrible financial nightmare.
What happens if you paint eggshells over semi gloss?
If you paint eggshells over semi-gloss paint the first thing you may encounter is the loss of shine. eggshell paint is somewhat similar to flat paints or matte paint.
Glossy paints kind of reveal the fault and age of the wall but an eggshell is great at hiding them and bringing a fresh and classy look out of your wall.
So using eggshell over semi-gloss paint will help you get a classy finish and hide minor defaults of your old house.
How do you paint eggshell over semi gloss?
Before you start with painting eggshell paint over semi gloss paint, you need to make some preparations and maintain the step thoroughly. Take a look below to understand them.
Washing:
Washing is an important step before adding on a new layer of paint. Thoroughly washing the wall will get rid of all the dirt and residue and will reveal any minor or major fault that may need attention.
Before sanding your wall you can deal with major or minor repairs and it becomes significantly easier to sand a clean wall.
Sanding:
Semi-gloss paint is known for its moisture-resistant smooth surface so it’s quite difficult for any kind of liquid to stick on.
Sanding the semi-glossed surface creates a rough texture that is suitable for any kind of paint to settle. Before applying eggshell paint it is quite essential to sand the semi-gloss paint for or better result.
Deglossing:
If you are thinking about avoiding the sanding process then using a deglosser will be a great alternative. It will create a suitable surface texture to settle for the eggshell paint over semi-gloss.
After washing the wall you can use a brush to apply the deglosser to the semi-gloss surface. It will need some time to settle and then you can wipe it out and move on to the next step.
Applying Primer:
you can apply a layer or two of primer before adding on the eggshell paint.
You can also avoid using primer and dilute 10 to 20% water with eggshell paint and use it as an alternative to primer. Although it’s best to use a primer.
Applying eggshell paint:
You are all set to apply the eggshell paint. Just make sure that you are using a one-way stroke with your paint roller or brush and observe the progression with proper lighting.
Do you need to sand semi-gloss paint before repainting?
Yes, you need to sand semi-gloss paint before repainting. Semi-gloss paint has a smooth surface which is highly resistant to any kind of moisture, so repainting a semi-gloss surface without sanding won’t let any new paint to stick on.
Sanding the semi-gloss wall will change the smooth texture and make it more suitable for any new paint to attach itself.
Nowadays you have an alternative to sanding, you just need to apply deglosser over the semi-gloss paint to get rid of the smooth surface texture. However, it’s much more effective to sand the semi-gloss surface before introducing a new layer of paint.
Do I need to prime over eggshell paint?
Actually, you don’t need to prime over eggshell paint. In most cases, the prime is done before introducing a new layer of paint after sanding the old one.
If you are thinking about prime over eggshell paint then keep in mind that eggshell print has quite remarkable moisture resistance so the prime won’t bring any good or bad. It is a waste of time and effort to apply prime over eggshell paint.
Most people prefer to dilute eggshell paint with water and use it as an alternative to prime. However, it’s highly recommended to apply two layers of prime before applying the eggshell paint.
Applying Prime before the eggshell paint will increase the adhesiveness and will be much more effective than using prime over eggshell.
How do I get a good finish with eggshell paint over semi gloss?
When it comes to repainting, the semi-gloss paint is hard to deal with. If you have sand and applied prime coating on the semi-gloss paint before introducing the eggshell paint then you can be at ease about getting the optimal result.
You can also follow some simple guidelines such as rolling the brush in a single direction and applying two layers of paint. Keeping an eye on the small and basic things is the ultimate key to success.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning is simpler with eggshells on semi-gloss, although the sheen may be lost. Eggshell paint adheres to any form of paint because of its vast surface area. Although, before applying eggshells, it is highly recommended that the semi-gloss paint should be sanded and primed.