How do I tell if I have oil based or water based paint on a wall?

Answer 1

You need a rag and denatured alcohol. The alcohol will soften water based paints but leave oil base alone. This is what you do.

• Use a light colored rag for dark paint colors and a dark rag for light paint colors. The rag color doesn't matter that much but makes it easier to see if any paint was removed.
• Saturate a small area of the rag then rub the paint for a few seconds, 30-45 seconds should be enough.

If some paint is on the rag then it is a latex or acrylic. Plus the paint will be soft after rubbing. If not, then it is an oil base. Only use denatured alcohol.

Answer 2

It is always clearly stated on the label of the container it comes in.

If it is already applied onto something, I'm guessing the best way would be to use a damp cloth (no detergent or solvent), and gently rub a small area in a corner where it won't be noticed - if the paint starts to come off and ware away - then it is water based. Oil based will just become clean.

Answer 3

Put some DENATURED alcohol on a rag, not rubbing, not Wild Turkey, but denatured and rub it on the surface. If the paint comes off on the rag, it is water-based. If all it does is clean the area, then it's an oil-based coating.

Answer 4

If you sand it and it gums up, it is latex paint. Sanding oil based paint will create dust only.

Answer 5

It should state fairly clearly on the can. Anything that tells you to use paint thinner for clean up is usually oil based.

Answer 6

Put a cloth over your finger, with some denatured alcohol on it, and rub the paint in a hidden corner. If no paint comes off in any way when you rub it, it's oil-based paint.

Answer 7

Put a very small amount in a paper cup and then put some water in. If they instantly mix ,it's water based. If they don't it's oil based. -