Will matt emulsion adhere nicely to very old oil-based eggshell?

[CindyMaeLouise]

Back when dinosaurs roamed, (25yrs ago) we painted the huge stairway wall in F&B oil eggshell because the decorator said it would be bomb-proof & we could scrub it thereafter. It has been brilliant & I've been able to wash it again & again. Now we fancy a complete change and want to try a regular matt emulsion. If we wash the wall before painting, will the new paint stick? I seem to remember someone once telling me I'd never be able to paint over it again with regular paint. Is this correct?

No, it won’t. You need a primer first.

Try a patch test with Dulux Super Grip primer, which goes over gloss paint, varnish, plastic, anything! And another with Zinsser BIN. Try the emulsion on top of both.

I know Zinsser is brilliant but if I remember correctly, it stinks like hell.

I haven’t noticed Zinsser smelling. It’s just very thin so I drip it everywhere

I'd sugar soap it, BIN it, and get on with the emulsion. It may stink but it'll save you time if doing yourself.

I swear by Zinsser products but I wouldn't use BIN for this, I don't think. That's the shellac one in the red tub. It does smell, and has a spirit base.

As a general adhesion primer I'd try the water-based Zinsser 123 first: cheaper, not so runny, less smelly, easier clean-up.