180 to 220 Grit Sandpaper: Finer grit sandpaper is great for removing the scratches left by coarser grits on unfinished wood and for lightly sanding between coats of paint. 320 to 400 Grit Sandpaper: Very fine grit sandpaper is used for light sanding between coats of finish and to sand metal and other hard surfaces.
240 Grit With its very fine texture, 240 grit sandpaper is ideal for sanding finishes between coats. It's gentle enough to smooth down dried layers without damaging them, giving a polished look while maintaining the integrity of each layer. It's also effective for finishing touches on bare wood.
You have two options for sanding: you can start with the courser grit sandpaper (between 600-800 grit), or you can go straight to the fine-grit sandpaper (between 1,200-2,000 grit). Tip: For optimum results, you will want to start with a courser grit, and finish with the fine grit.
However, if you're using high gloss paint, painting kitchen cabinets, or painting a wall that is very well-lit and visible, you might want to sand it between coats of paint to achieve a perfectly smooth finish. Don't forget to sand the primer too!
PRO TIP: Always hand sand in between coats of polyurethane with 220 grit sandpaper. Light sand, and then wipe off the dust with a clean, damp rag and let it air dry.
Sand Between Coats
Make sure to sand the polyurethane between coats.
Generally, 180-220 grit is a good choice for sanding between coats. These extra fine grits do a great job on most interior walls. Grits of 240 and higher are best suited for projects where polishing is involved.
Sanding is often a crucial step for ensuring that your surface is ready to be painted. If you don't have a properly sanded surface, paint may not adhere to certain items properly. You can oversand, undersand and often people underestimate its importance. But, you don't have to be a pro to sand a surface.
Applying the second coat too early will result in lost time, money, and effort. Not only that but it'll also create additional stress that's not necessary. Applying the second coat too early will result in streaks, peeling paint, and uneven color.
Before the new coat of paint is applied, 400-grit paper makes prepping smooth and easy. If there are any rough areas spotted along the surface or edges of a given panel, 400-grit could be used to smooth the metal out in a way that lower grits might be incapable of.
Ensure the surface is clean, pre-wet the area and that sandpaper will also need to be pre-soaked. Start with 1000 grit to remove the majority of the orange peel.
Wipe With a Clean White Cloth
Use a clean cloth to wipe the rest of the dust from the surface of your wood after using specialized equipment. This helps you pick up any extra dust particles to ensure the wood is clean and ready for stain or paint. Use a white cloth so you can see how much dust you pick up.
Extra fine grit sandpaper (320+): Keep this on-hand for sanding between coats of paint or finish.
180 - 220 Grit: Fine. 180 – 220 grit is primarily used for the sanding finish or to sand in-between coats. It is also great for distressing! There are instances where you can use 180 to 220-grit to rough up a piece in preparation for paint, but you do not typically use these grits until after your first coat.
Use fine grit sandpaper, between 150 and 180 grit, to achieve the desired results.
Medium (80-120 grit): Perfect for smoothing surfaces and removing small imperfections. Fine (150-180 grit): Used for the final sanding before painting. Very Fine (220-240 grit): Ideal for sanding between coats of paint or primer. Extra Fine (280-320 grit): Best for achieving a smooth finish on the final coat.
Key Takeaways: Sanding between paint coats helps create a smooth and even surface for the next coat of paint to adhere to. The purpose of sanding is to remove imperfections, bumps, drips, and drips on the painted surface. Sanding also helps to improve adhesion and durability of the paint job.
Choose your brush
You can use any brush, but softer, tapered bristles tend to promote a smoother finish. Try to avoid those with stiff and/or flat cut bristles. These can easily cause drag lines, creating brushmarks and encouraging overworking of the paint. In turn, this leads to an uneven texture.
For a proper finish, you should sand directly before you paint. This is not just a matter of smoothing the the current paint job.
Liquid sandpaper, a.k.a. deglosser, is a chemical that can be used to rough up existing paint on walls and other surfaces by removing the gloss, making it possible to paint over what's left on the wall after use. This is good for hard to reach places or an object that you may feel would be awkward to sand.
Allow the first coat of BASF LEVELING SKIMCOAT to partially cure, then sand the skim coat with 100-150 grit sandpaper to remove trowel marks and create a smooth surface.
180 to 220 Grit Sandpaper: Finer grit sandpaper is great for removing the scratches left by coarser grits on unfinished wood and for lightly sanding between coats of paint. 320 to 400 Grit Sandpaper: Very fine grit sandpaper is used for light sanding between coats of finish and to sand metal and other hard surfaces.
After the primer dries, lightly sand away bumps and ridges using very fine grit sandpaper folded into quarters. When the grit of one section of sandpaper becomes covered with dust, switch to an unused section and continue. Wipe the wall clean with a damp towel or sponge and allow it to dry before painting.
For heavy sanding and stripping, you need coarse sandpaper grit measuring 40- to 60-grit; for smoothing surfaces and removing small imperfections, choose medium sandpaper from 80- to 120-grit sandpaper. To finish surfaces smoothly, use a super fine sandpaper with 400- to 600-grit.