Good Morning,
I've enjoyed (and got a lot of good advice) reading these threads. I am sure this question has been answered somewhere, so forgive me for the repeat.

I am painting my daughter's bedroom and she'd like to have the trim around the windows, closet, baseboards and door painted with a bright accent color. Can I just paint them with the semi-gloss over the current old high gloss or do I have to prime them first? Also, I am a little nervous because it looks like a complecated job. Any hints? I could probably talk her into leaving them white and painting an accent bright pink (like a border or something). Thoughts?
Thanks,
Lori

 

Assuming that the existing paint on the trim is latex, then yes, no primer is required. Use a sanding sponge, and scuff all the surfaces/edges of the trim, making sure to remove the dust when finished. I wouldn't call this complicated, but tedious fits it better. Get yourself a 1 1/2" or 2" angled sash brush, and practice cutting a straight line on a spare piece of trim to get the hang of it. Expect at least 2 coats if the color is going to be a drastic change.

 

Thanks! I started last night and it's looking really good. It is a painstaking process though, you were right!

 

[QUOTE=prowallguy]Assuming that the existing paint on the trim is latex, then yes, no primer is required.

Primer may not be required but considering how much easier it would be than sanding and prepping to have a good result to this project it is certainly a good idea.Any paint applied over a glossy finish of any kind is subject to possible adherance problems so why work much harder and still have possible problems that will take primer to correct anyway?It may cost a few more dollars but it may also remove doubts and future issues and that's probably worth a ten dollar can of primer.

 

You should always sand and prep, whether primer is determined to be needed or not.

 

Didn't mean to come across implying you didn't however the implication that not priming under the circumstances is advisable is at least to me questionable considering the likelihood that the person doing to job is not a professional.After so many years in the hardware business I've come to realize that you cannot expect the general public to perform like a tradesman.

 

Very true, and now as I read the 1st post again, I realize that Lori said "over the current old high gloss". I assumed it was latex going over latex, and to me 'old high gloss' could easily be an oil or industrial enamel. In this case, I have to agree that a primer would be in order.