Should You Sand Between Coats Of Paint?
Considering whether to sand between your coats of primer and paint? If so, the answer is yes if you want the most professional finish, and can afford the time!
Here's the rundown:
Picture this: a room with tired, scuffed-up paint that has been driving you crazy to look at.. First off, tackle any imperfections with drywall compound, then give it a good sanding with 120-150 grit sandpaper on a pole sander for a smooth finish. The pole sander is just for the convenience of being able to reach high areas. If you don’t want to spend the money on that, simply use the sandpaper with a flat block backing, and stand up on a chair or ladder. BUT!! Be careful!! Once that's done, wipe everything clean with a damp cloth and let the wall dry.
Following the fix-ups, you can then prime the ceiling and walls. Let this dry for at least an hour, then sand but this time with a 220-grit sandpaper to ensure any debris or fuzzies from the roller are removed. Wipe down the surfaces once more before applying your first coat of paint. Let your first coat of paint dry for 24 hours, then repeat the sanding and wiping steps with 220 grit sandpaper, before applying the second coat. 24 hours is a lomg time to wait between coats, so you can speed it up if the paint feels very dry after a couple hours, but be careful and sand lightly and carefully. You don’t want to muck up your coat of paint. However, it is best if you spread your painting over three days to allow proper drying time. Depending on your paint and walls, you might need a third coat for that flawless finish. However, if two coats do the trick, let the paint dry for 24 hours before giving it a final sanding with a 400-grit sandpaper for that extra touch of luxury. If a third coat is needed, lightly sand after the second coat with 220 grit sandpaper, following with the same damp cloth wiping process, then apply the final coat, sanding again after 24 hours with the final 400 grit sandpaper. Finish off by lightly wiping down the surfaces with a damp cloth. Now sit back with a glass of wine and enjoy the fresh new look!