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Sanding prior to Painting

fingers | Posted in Construction Techniques on April 1, 2008 12:51pm

I’ve got some interior painting to do.  Normal walls and trim . . . bedrooms, living room etc., nothing exotic.

Did I mention I hate to paint?  Anyway, a friend offered to help who has done lots of painting, in fact he made a living doing it for a few years although he doesn’t anymore.

Since he’s offered to help out, I wanted to have all his favorite supplies and materials beforehand so that 1)  It’ll show that I really appreciate his help, and 2)  We can get down to business and get it done efficiently without running all over the place for supplies.

When I last talked to him and asked what I should get beforehand, he mentioned sandpaper sheets to go on a pole mounted sanding pad.  I’ve always used those sanding screens like you use for drywall in a medium or fine grit but he said “no, get the sandpaper sheets”

What’s the difference?  I would think the screens have less of a tendency to clog up.

Reply

Replies

  1. User avater
    McDesign | Apr 01, 2008 01:34am | #1

    The screens can leave parallel lines if you don't slightly twirl them.

    Remember, surface prep is nine-tenths of painting!

    Forrest

  2. DonCanDo | Apr 01, 2008 01:42am | #2

    What are you sanding?  If you're sanding joint compound, then yes, the screens tend to clog less.  I know drywallers who don't care for them because it's too easy to leave swirl marks, especially with new sanding screens.  If you're sanding a painted wall to knock off the painted fuzzies*, then sandpaper works better.  I usually use full size sheets of tri-folded 100 grit sandpaper.  100 grit may seem a little course, but I've never had scratch marks telegraph through.

    *painted fuzzies: I don't know what they're really called or if they even have a name, but sometimes cheap rollers will leave a little lint behind and after each coat of paint they get bigger and bigger until you can feel them as large hard spots.

  3. User avater
    BarryE | Apr 01, 2008 01:44am | #3

    Screens are find for new drywall, not that great for already painted surfaces.

    And evidently it's what he's comfortable with, and I agree with him :)


    Barry E-Remodeler

     

  4. fingers | Apr 01, 2008 02:02am | #4

    Thanks now I know. Not that I really want to do much painting

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