Repainting the Exterior trim & recommendations?

[peterjcb]

My brick house is about 7 years old and I'm presently cleaning the outside trim right now before I re-paint. It was originally painted with 2 coats of an oil based paint. I believe that they used Duron paint.
I would like to use a latex paint now. I know that I'll need to prime it first but do I need to use an oil based primer or can I use a water based primer?
Also, what is a good brand of paint to use? I priced Benjamine Moore paint and it's about $36.00 a gallon here at the local store. It seems a bit pricey. How good are the Home Depot/Lowe's brands.....Behr and Valspar?
Thanks,
Peter

[Rich]

I really like the Behr paints - but I'm not a professional so I couldn't really say if they are good or not.

[peterjcb]

Hi Rich,
Can I use a water based primer to prep the surface over my oil based paint?

[Rich]

I don't think that'll work. From what I've read you can't put oil based over water based - I think you can go the other way though. I'll do some research and see what I can find.

[Rich]

Here's a little more information on that - http://www.artsparx.com/Undmatprime.html

[peterjcb]

I don't think that'll work. From what I've read you can't put oil based over water based - I think you can go the other way though.

Rich, I'm looking to put a water based primer over my oil based paint. So, according to the article, it sounds like it would be O.K.

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Article:

"Oil / Alkyd primers

Oil / Alkyd primers act as excellent primers for exterior surfaces, wood and metal. Best suited for a base to oil based paints, the use of acrylic paint over oil-based primers is also acceptable.

Oil and water based interior and exterior paint, such as products by Paintmanufacture , can be applied over oil-based primers.
The reverse is not true; it is generally a rule of thumb never to apply oil based paint products and varnished over water-based primers.

Acrylic / Latex primers

Acrylic primers, such as Ben Moore primer , are commonly used for interior and exterior surfaces, furniture and objects. Its quick drying time allows for quicker final results. Not recommended for metal, glass or other non-porous substrates. For high traffic zones or heavily used areas oil based primers are recommended."

[Rich]

Oh.. I guess I was misunderstanding this then
Can I use a water based primer to prep the surface over my oil based paint?
My bad :) thought you were the other way around.