Latex paint is water-based in nature and is popularly used on both outdoor and indoor walls. There are several reasons behind its trustworthy reputation―latex paint doesn't crack or peel like oil-based paints, especially when moisture tries to escape from within, where it also doesn't carry with it a strong odor. This kind of paint can be cleaned using soap and water, which isn't the case with oil-based paint. Many homes are coated with an oil-based paint that has peeled and dulled over the years. To save time and money over scraping the paint off the walls and then repainting them, you can directly apply the latex kind over it. We show you how in the following steps. Steps on How to Apply Latex Paint over Oil Paint Step #1 The first step is to determine whether the walls are really painted with an oil-based paint. If you haven't applied the paint yourself, you wouldn't know how to tell. To check if whether a paint is oil-based or not, dip a cotton swab in either denatured alcohol, nail polish remover (containing acetone), or lacquer thinner. Apply any one of these solutions on a small area of the wall. If the wall paint is oil-based, color won't come off on the cotton swab. Step #2 One of the most important steps is applying primer on the walls prior to painting them. It is extremely crucial to clean the walls to get rid of dirt and grime before beginning. This can be done by sanding the walls using high grit sandpaper. However, don't vigorously sand the wall; gently glide the sandpaper over its surface. Once this is done, you have to clean the wall with a vacuum cleaner. Finish it off by giving it a good rubdown using soap and water. Use a soft cloth to wipe the excess water away. Step #3 Once the walls dry, you can then apply primer. Choose a latex primer of your choice as this will help the paint adhere to the wall. Before using the primer, give it a good shake before applying a thin coat on the wall; use a good paintbrush to spread it out. After it dries, apply another coat of primer and then leave it to dry again. Step #4 Once the two layers of primer set, the walls will be ready to be coated with latex paint. Before opening the paint can, shake it well, and then stir the paint using a paint-stirring stick before you begin. Take a good paintbrush (not the one you used for the primer) and apply the paint over the primer-coated wall. After you apply the first coat, wait for it to completely dry before reapplying it. You may have to repeat this process until you achieve the desired result. While the entire process of repainting a wall is a time-consuming one, if done properly, the effort put in will be satisfying once you stand back and take it all in.