Can flat paint be made into semi-gloss?

[TNDemo]

I have some flat paint I would like to use for a room but I want to faux paint on top of it and need the base to the semi-gloss. Can I add some gloss to the paint or something to make it more like semi-gloss?

[TreasonousBastard]

1. No. Most paints start...

out as glossy, but semi-gloss, flat, etc., have stuff added to lower or kill the gloss.

Depending on the kind of paint, you might be able to use this stuff as an undercoat before painting with semi-gloss. If you were going to use to coats, it wouldn't go to waste that way.

[katmondoo]

2. You can use semi-gloss polyurathene over the paint after it drys

but i do not think you can add anything.The polyurathene is clear.

[havocmom]

3. But I don't recommend this if you are doing paint on paint as the other

color will likely not adhere to the polyurathene well. Best to go buy the right base paint. No point doing it to just have it peel off.

[BrotherBuzz]

4. Easier going the other direction, but ...

If you have to, you might experiment by adding water-based polyurethane (assuming you're using latex paint) I would start by adding about 10%. Just mix up a small batch and apply to scrap material and use a hairdryer to speed up drying time and see what happens.

[bridgit]

5. yup...