Sanding after priming?

16 years ago

Is it necessary to sand after you have primed a piece of furniture? I have read many blogs etc where the practice is to strip/sand/prime/sand/prime coat 2/sand, paint coat 1 sand/then coat 2 and leave this alone of course. But if poly is involved, then add in more sanding between coats of poly until the last one.

Does it completely depend on what you are sanding? or are people going through all these steps to ensure a specific end result or finish?

I can see the need for more than one coat of primer, in some of the furniture I have been working on lately, one coat brushed on does not completely cover it. But do I need to sand it then before painting?

AND what # of sand paper, are we talking just very lightly sanding like in a final finish sand paper? And are we talking the need to sand all over or just spot sand to get rid of any uneven areas, drips etc?

What works for you all and what is typical for you to follow? I want a nice finish, I dont want to spend 3 weeks working on each piece.

Featured Answer

moonshadow

16 years ago

I don't always sand primer. Only as paint guy says if it's rough, has brush marks, etc. because your top coat won't 'hide' that kind of thing. I use no lower than 220, sometimes higher. Do like the sanding sponges, they are easier to manage on a job like that versus a sanding block (because you're not sanding the crap out of it. ;) A pressure than amounts to wiping, but not scrubbing. As if you were wiping off your kitchen counter, not scrubbing off a stain on the counter. ;)
I always go with the grain with primer, too. Then I use a tack cloth to wipe it down good, get rid of residue, and then paint.

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Comments (6)

paintguy22
16 years ago
I would sand if it is rough and I was use fine grit sanding sponges.
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loomis
16 years ago
I generally just "wipe" the surface with a fine sandpaper. Generally when you prime a surface it sometimes raises the grain or you might get a speck or two of dust that just needs leveling off.
harmonp0103
9 years ago
Sanding after priming helps to ensure the final coat is bright and not dull. Most people prefer a finish to appear a bit brighter. Usually 220 grit paper works well. This article highlights sanding after priming in greater depth.
Abdullah Sakeem
6 years ago
I heard it's beneficial if you sand the primer coat. And you'll achieve better results with the first paint layer. But if you see bumps and dents visible and making it tough to high is appropriate, you might have to sand it through the coats a few times.
RedRyder
6 years ago
Yes, definitely do some light sanding after a primer coat. I’ve painted a lot of furniture and there is a definite difference if you don’t sand between coats. (Unless you’re using chalk paint. Just go for it, no sanding required.)