If you’re wanting to paint over what you suspect might be lead-based paint, but are sure about the safety of it, we’re here to take you through the recommended steps, as well as the equipment you’ll need to do the job. But, if at any point you feel unsure or unsafe, stop, and consult a professional. A painted room is not worth the health risk that comes with lead particles. So, can you paint over lead paint with regular paint?
You can paint over lead paint, but you should first use an encapsulant paint to seal in the lead before going in with your regular paint. However, you should not paint over lead paint if the paint is chipped or flaking away as the encapsulant will not be able to safely seal away the lead.
Read on to learn more about lead paint remediation, and what you can do to cover lead-based paint.
Can You Paint Over Lead Paint?
You can paint over lead paint, however precautions must be taken and you must ensure that you are using the correct type of paint. Painting over lead-based paint (also known as encapsulation) is an effective lead paint remediation technique, and is usually cheaper than removal options. What’s more, it’s far safer as it doesn’t release any dust or debris into the air.
You cannot, however, use regular oil or water-based paints for encapsulation as this does not seal in the lead.
When Not to Encapsulate
Do not paint over any lead-based paint that is peeling, flaky, or where you feel that the integrity of the paint is not sound. The encapsulation paint will not properly adhere to the wall and will proceed to flake off, taking the lead paint flakes with it. Encapsulation is only ever effective if the existing layer of paint is still in good condition, and must be monitored over time for any chips or flakes.
If you’re ever uncertain about whether or not you should paint over lead-based paint, consult a professional beforehand. Don’t risk the safety of yourself and those around you.
Alternatively, you can also choose to completely remove the lead-based paint to ensure that your surfaces are safe and easy to paint. Learn more about lead paint removal on the Thermac website, where we go over what needs to be considered for lead paint removal, and the tools required to safely do the job.
What Paint Should You Use to Cover Lead Paint?
You must use an encapsulant to paint over lead paint. This acts as a sealant. There are three types of encapsulation paint; epoxy, polymer, and cement-type materials, but epoxy and polymer types are more suitable for home DIY projects. Professionals and industrial projects may prefer to use a cement-type encapsulation paint.
Should You Strip or Sand Lead Paint?
Do not attempt to strip, sand, or in any way damage or remove lead paint unless you have had training in such areas and are wearing appropriate PPE. Breathing in lead particles can cause kidney, nerve and brain damage, or infertility.
If you are a professional and are looking for more information on how to safely strip or sand lead paint, take a look at the Lead Paint Removal section on our website, where we go over best practices and recommend suitable equipment.
How Do You Know If Something Was Painted With Lead Paint?
It’s not easy to know whether or not something was painted with lead paint just by looking at it, but here are a couple of signs:
- Was the property built before 1960? Is the original or early paintwork still showing?
- Is the paintwork thick? This indicates that it has been painted a good number of times and some of the deeper layers may contain lead
- Modern households, especially those built after 1992 should not be at risk of lead-based paint. Such paint was banned in 1992
- If you’re in an older property and the paint is chipped or flaky, it might be best to call in a professional to be sure that it does not contain lead
5 Tips for Painting Over Lead Paint
- Check for Lead Before You Begin
If you live in an older property that is showing signs of lead paint, it may be a good idea to have a professional test the paint before you get started. Once you know, you can either save yourself a lot of time and money, and just paint the walls as normal, have the lead paint removed by the professional, or encapsulate the lead paint, depending on its condition.
- Don’t Sand, Scrape, or Chip Lead Paint
Unless you know what you’re doing, never scrape, sand, or chip lead paint. This is highly dangerous and can result in severe medical problems.
- Take Safety Precautions
When you begin your project, take safety precautions and wear suitable PPE:
- Glasses
- Gloves
- Respiratory equipment
- Use an Encapsulant
Don’t skip the encapsulant paint; this seals in the lead paint and creates a suitable surface to paint over with your chosen final paint.
- Monitor Over Time
Once you have completed your project, it’s important to monitor its condition over time, checking for any chips and flakes as the original lead paint will likely come off with the new paint.
Final Thoughts
It is safe to paint over lead-based paint as long as precautions and proper steps are taken to ensure safety. If you are unsure about any part of the process, stop and consult a professional.
At Thermac, our experts are on hand to provide advice about lead paint remediation and removal. For professionals, we stock a wide range of tools and equipment to help get the job done safely and effectively including scrapers, wire brushes, masks, PPE, coveralls, and more. Visit our Lead Paint Removal page for more information.