Switching from oil-based to water-based paint - any tips?

There are special primers, like shellac based ones, that bond well to existing oil paints or other oil contaminated surfaces. Scuff the entire surface with a scotchbrite pad, apply a coat of such primer, followed by your intended finish paint after 24hrs.

Shellac primer over oil paint . It dries fast the primer and it’s very thin viscosity. Be very careful and cover your floors and walls

You can most certainly paint water based paint over oil based primer already applied. As oil primer dried properly ,sand and water based paint ready.

First light sanding 220 grit and then adhesion primer finally paint 👍

The bonding primer is the key — it adheres strongly to the oil base and provides a proper surface for your water-based paint to grip. This avoids the need to strip everything or switch to oil paint.

I read exactly what you wrote because I pay attention to detail. I’m just trained like that. In your question oil based primer. If you were 100% sure that that is a 100% oil based. PRIMER!!!, then you can put water base paint on top of an oil based primer. Good luck with your project.

Yes, you can apply water-based paint over an oil-based surface. The issue is adhesion (how well the new paint sticks), not compatibility. Here’s the correct and simple process: 1. Clean the surface Use a degreaser or TSP (a strong cleaner for removing grease and residue). Any contamination will reduce bonding. 2. Light sanding Sand with 120–180 grit (fine sanding to dull the surface). You’re not removing the old paint—just reducing gloss (surface shine) so the new coating can grip. 3. Apply bonding primer Use a bonding primer (a primer designed to stick to hard, glossy surfaces like oil-based paint). This creates a bridge between the two systems. Drying time: Typically touch dry in ~1 hour, recoat in 3–4 hours. (Always refer to the product data sheet for exact times.) 4. Apply water-based paint Once primed, apply 2 thin coats of water-based satin paint (a low-sheen finish). Drying time: Usually touch dry in 1–2 hours, recoat in 4–6 hours. (Refer to the product data sheet for accuracy.) ________________________________________ Important for baseboard heaters: Make sure they are completely off and cool during application and drying. Heat can interfere with curing (the final hardening process). ________________________________________ Bottom line: Skip the primer → it will peel. Do it properly → it will perform just fine.