Can I,paint eggshell over gloss?

[HarryVanderspeigle]

The woodwork needs repainting, but I don't want to sand it down as it is an older house and there is lead paint in the layers of old paint. I did an indicator test, so know this is definitely true, not just speculation. Is there a matt paint I can use to just paint over it all? Gloss.takes forever to dry, so would prefer to not use that if possible. No way my kids would be careful around it for long enough.

No, it would need to be sanded to key the surface or it would just flake off after a bit every time it was knocked or scraped. It might also take some of the old lead paint with it, so I wouldn’t risk it.

You ideally need to sand the old paint. You might be able to get away with using a very good primer instead- Zinsser is supposed to be excellent.

You will probably be painting water based on top of oil based so a primer is a good idea for that reason too.

If it's in good condition, use zisner bin 123 as an undercoat.
If not, strip back to bare wood, either with a paint stripper or sanding, your choice, then prime and repaint.

Looks like paint stripper is the way to go then. I really don't want to sand it with the dust getting in the air. Thanks all. If the wood looks nice I guess I could leave instead of painting too.

I primed mine with zinzer and then used a water based gloss.

Look good, still on, and since then

Posted too soon!

Since I did it we’ve paid a decorator to do other rooms and he did the same.

didn’t suggest stripper which I was surprised at.

I used Zinser 123 plus as a primer and then used water based eggshell .

Thank you. I have bought a small tin of nitromors to get started, but will check out zinzer first.

I just sunded mine, but it wasn't a proper sand it literally was just to scuff the whole thing. All worked out fine