Why Is It Important to Sand Before Painting?
Prior to many painting projects, our Triboro Paint team near North Attleborough, MA, always recommends sanding the surface until it’s smooth. The process of sanding is crucial for achieving a professional finish and appearance on interior walls, cabinets, or furniture.
Sanding Before Painting Improves Paint Adhesion
One main reason to sand before painting is to improve the paint’s grip on the surface. Paint struggles to stick to glossy or uneven surfaces. Sanding roughs up smooth finishes just enough to create tiny scratches the paint can cling to. This is true for interior walls, cabinets, and furniture.
Even if your wall or furniture piece already has paint on it, a light sanding can help the new coat bond better and last longer. Without sanding, your paint job might start to peel or chip sooner than you'd like.
How to Clean a Wall Before Painting
Before sanding, ensure you’ve thoroughly cleaned and dusted the wall or surface, so it’s free of any grime or debris, like hidden cobwebs. This method makes sanding easier and prevents the paint from trapping dirt and dust.
To clean your walls, combine a bucket of lukewarm water with a gentle detergent, such as dish soap, and utilize a clean rag to wipe the surface. Let it dry completely before sanding. Be sure to wring out the rag as much as possible, as you don’t want excess water dripping down your walls.
How to Sand for the Best Results
Start by choosing the right sanding products. Typically, sanding products have a range of grit grades, from coarse to fine. Smooth out rough or damaged surfaces using a coarser grit, then apply finer grains for added smoothness. Always sand wood in the direction of its natural grain for optimal finish.
After sanding, remove the dust with a tack cloth or a damp rag. Dust can cause paint to bubble or stick poorly. Once dust-free, your surface is ready for primer and paint. Proper sanding, combined with thorough cleaning, leads to a flawless finish you'll be proud of.
When to Sand vs. When to Skip It
You don’t always have to sand every surface. If your wall is already clean and smooth with old paint that’s in good condition, you can sometimes avoid sanding. Just make sure to clean it well before painting.
However, for surfaces that are glossy, rough, or have peeling paint, sanding is essential. Cabinets and furniture, especially, benefit from sanding to remove old finishes and prepare for the fresh paint. It also applies between coats of paint when you want a sleek, professional look.
Shop Sanding Products and Benjamin Moore in North Attleborough, MA
At Triboro Paint, we carry superb sanding products designed to handle any prep work. Whether you need fine-grit sandpaper for delicate furniture or rougher sandpaper for prepped drywall, we have it all. Using high-quality sanding tools eliminates the hassle of prep work and speeds up your task.
We’ve got all the right supplies you need to make your next painting project a huge success. Contact us online or call (508) 699-8037 today to explore the latest colors and to get our expert opinion when you want it.
At Triboro Paint, we have three convenient locations and serve Foxborough, North Attleborough, Plainville, Easton, Mansfield, Morton, and Attleboro, Massachusetts; and Warwick, East Greenwich, Cranston, Providence, and West Warwick, Rhode Island.