Paint Won't Stick!

[Beth Thornton]

HI,

I am trying to repaint my kitchen trim which currently has that shiny glossy finish. The paint just won't stick right when I tried a test patch, it beaded up weird.

What am I missing to get it to actually take?? I know what a primer is but are there differences or a specific one I need? I don't have enough money to get this wrong!!

Thanks in advance! Love this place!

[floorman]

Some general suggestions:

Degrease thoroughly: Wash the trim using a strong cleaner like TSP or a dedicated kitchen degreaser, then rinse and dry completely.

Scuff-sand: Lightly sand the shiny surface using 150-to-220 grit sandpaper. You do not need to strip it to bare wood; you just need to dull the shine and create a rough texture. Wipe away all dust.

Use a specialized primer: Apply one coat of an oil-based or shellac-based bonding primer. These specific formulas chemically lock onto slick, glossy old paint and block anything underneath from pushing your new topcoat away.

Paint on top: Once the bonding primer cures completely, your regular trim paint will grab onto it smoothly and permanently.