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!

Types Of Paint - What Paint To Use, And When

Types of Paint – What paint to use, and when

The significance of painting to enhance visual appeal, protect surfaces, and preserve the structural integrity of your home or business cannot be overstated. This article examines paint types, and when to use them.

Interior Paints

1.     Latex (Water-Based) Paint: Quick-drying, low odor, and easy cleanup, suitable for walls, ceilings, and most interior surfaces. Lowest VOC’s (volatile organic compounds)

2.     Acrylic Paint: Water based and similar to latex paint, but offers better durability, color retention, adhesion and elasticity, making it ideal for high-traffic areas like hallways and kitchens. Higher VOC’s than Latex.

3.     Oil-Based Paint: Known for its durability and smooth finish, often used on trim, doors, and cabinets, but less common due to longer drying times and strong odor, with more VOC’s than Acrylic.

4.     Enamel Paint: A type of oil-based paint that creates a hard, glossy finish, suitable for areas prone to moisture such as bathrooms and kitchens. Oil-based Enamel paints are very high in VOC’s. Alternatively, you can also use a regular acrylic paint with a mildewcide additive for use in bathrooms and high humidity areas. Further, there are water-based enamel paints available with lower VOC’s and less impact on the environment, and occupants of the house, not to mention, the painter.

5. Chalkboard Paint: Allows surfaces to be used as chalkboards, commonly used in children's rooms, kitchens, and home offices, as well as commercial environments such as cafes, restaurants, daycares, and community centres.

6. Primer: A preparatory coating/sealer applied before painting to improve adhesion, coverage, and durability of the topcoat, available in both water-based and oil-based formulas, though care should be taken to ensure your top coats of paint are compatible with the primer. For example, if you use a water-based primer, you must use a water based top coat. On the other hand, if you use an oil-based primer, you can use an oil based paint (if available in your jurisdiction), or more commonly these days, an acrylic top coat.

Exterior Paints

1.     Acrylic Latex Paint (a water-based paint with an acrylic binder): Highly durable, flexible, and resistant to fading, cracking, and peeling, suitable for exterior walls, siding, and trim. Satin or Eggshell sheens are best for home exterior because of the high hiding effects of these sheens. A satin will have a sheen that makes cleaning the surface easier.

2.     Oil-Based Paint: Provides excellent adhesion and durability, particularly in harsh weather conditions, but requires proper surface preparation and longer drying times. Not available due to health and environmental concerns in some countries.

*See proper surface preparation blog coming soon*

3.     Alkyd Paint: Offers superior adhesion and resistance to moisture, ideal for exterior trim, doors, and metal surfaces. Alkyd paints dry by solvent evaporation and cure by oxidation in approximately 5 days. They dry to a hard, glossy finish that is unmatched to latex paints. Not available due to health and environmental concerns in some countries.

4.     Elastomeric Paint: Designed to stretch and contract with building surfaces, providing protection against cracks, water infiltration, and UV damage, commonly used on stucco and masonry.

5. Masonry Paint: Formulated to adhere to porous surfaces like concrete, brick, and stucco, offering weatherproofing and moisture resistance.

6.     Primer: Essential for promoting adhesion, preventing/blocking stains, and enhancing the longevity of exterior paint finishes, available in various formulations for different surface types and conditions.

 Each type of paint has its own unique characteristics, advantages, and applications, so it's important to consider factors such as surface type, climate, and desired finish when selecting the appropriate paint for a specific project.