Oil-based painting in Warsaw — when you really need it

Oil-based paint is not a relic — it is a working tool for specific jobs. Doors, trim, radiators, window sills, basement pipes — these are still painted with oil-based paint because acrylic simply does not hold up. In older buildings around Ochota and Kabaty you will find wooden doors and window frames with oil-based coatings that need refreshing. Latex paint over an oil base peels within months — but a fresh coat of oil-based paint bonds permanently.

How much does it cost and what affects the price

Current prices for painting services are in the table below. The cost depends on the surface type, its condition, and the number of coats. Painting a radiator and painting an entire room are different jobs. Tools and consumables (brushes, rollers, masking tape) are included in the labour cost. Paint itself is a material, charged separately. If old coating needs to be stripped or sanded — that is a prep stage, also in the price list.

How the on-site work goes

1. The technician inspects the surface: old paint condition, wood or metal state, whether stripping is needed.
2. Old coating removal or sanding — if the surface is flaking, painting over it is pointless.
3. Priming — a specialist primer for oil-based paint. Without it, adhesion will be poor.
4. First coat of oil-based paint — by brush or mini-roller, depending on the surface.
5. Drying for 12–24 hours. Oil-based paint takes longer than acrylic — that is normal.
6. Second coat — the finishing layer. Covers brush marks and delivers full colour depth.
7. Cleanup of the work area. Oil paint on floors or frames must be wiped immediately — once dry, it is extremely hard to remove.

Common customer mistakes (and how to avoid them)

• Painting latex over old oil-based paint — latex does not bond to an oil base and peels off.
• Not sanding old oil-based paint — the new coat sits on a glossy surface and fails to grip.
• Applying one thick coat — oil paint sags into drips, takes forever to dry, and wrinkles.
• Not ventilating the room — oil-based paint contains solvents; without airflow the smell lingers for weeks and the fumes are harmful.
• Painting below +10°C — the paint thickens, applies unevenly, and dries very slowly.
• Buying the cheapest paint — saving on paint means repainting within a year.
• Skipping primer on bare metal — oil paint without primer on metal will start rusting.

What to prepare before the technician arrives

• Ensure ventilation — open windows or turn on an extractor fan. Oil paint smells strongly; this is not acrylic.
• Move or cover furniture and floor with sheeting — oil paint is nearly impossible to clean once dry.
• If we are painting radiators — turn off the heating or wait for the off-season. Paint on a hot radiator goes on unevenly.
• Decide on the finish you want: gloss, semi-matt, or matt. Oil paint comes in all three.
• If we are painting doors — remove handles and hinges (or the technician can do it for an extra charge).
• Ensure access to a power socket — a sander may be needed.
• Cover ventilation grilles — sanding dust travels through the flat.
• Warn your neighbours about the smell — it is a matter of good relations.
• Confirm the number of doors, radiators, or elements — this determines the timeline.
• Provide access details: intercom code, parking.

A real case from Warsaw

A ground-floor flat in Wola, a 1950s tenement building. The owner had four solid wooden doors — original, with raised panels, painted countless times over the decades. The latest layer was cracking and lifting in sheets. Someone had once tried latex over oil — the result was a sticky mess that came off in ribbons. Our painter stripped all four doors down to bare wood with a heat gun and scraper, filled minor cracks with wood filler, primed with alkyd primer, and applied two coats of alkyd enamel in a warm white. The job took four days: one day for stripping and prep, then three more for two coats with overnight drying. The doors now look factory-fresh — smooth, even, with a subtle sheen that cleans easily with a damp cloth. The owner said he considered replacing them, but after painting they look better than any new door from the shop.

Frequently asked questions

Why is oil-based paint better than latex for some surfaces?
Oil-based paint produces a harder, smoother finish. It is better for surfaces that get washed, touched, or heated — doors, trim, radiators, window sills.

How long does oil-based paint take to dry?
Touch-dry in 6–8 hours. Between coats — 12–24 hours. Full cure — 5–7 days. Avoid washing the surface during that time.

Is it true that oil-based paint yellows over time?
White oil paint based on linseed oil can yellow, especially in dark spots. Alkyd enamels yellow less. On well-lit surfaces the effect is virtually unnoticeable.

Can you use oil-based paint on walls?
Technically, yes. But for walls, latex or acrylic is better: it dries faster, has no odour, and is easier to repaint. Oil on walls only makes sense in damp rooms.

How do you get rid of the smell after painting?
Ventilation is the main method. Open windows for a cross-draught for 2–3 days. Bowls of water or activated charcoal help marginally, but airflow does the real work.

Can you apply latex paint over an oil-based coat?
Only after thorough sanding and applying a specialist adhesion primer. Without prep — the latex will peel off.

Who does the work

Oil-based painting is carried out by experienced painters who specialise in wood and metalwork. We cover all of Warsaw — we come for an estimate, select the right paint, and agree on a convenient date. Call or message us — we will calculate the cost based on your scope.