Answers tagged "primer"

161 related answers

Use this for primer leveling and between-coat prep questions.

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Can a surface be too smooth for paint?

The user is worried that very fine sanding may reduce paint adhesion.

Use 180 to 320 for most paint prep unless the coating maker specifies another grit.Dry for most prep unless coating instructions say otherwise.
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Can I sand brick before painting?

Brick can shed dust or become uneven if sanded aggressively.

Use 80 or 120 only on small rough paint edges or loose old coating, then clean thoroughly.Dry with dust control.
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Can I sand laminate countertops?

Laminate countertops can be permanently scratched or dulled by sanding.

Do not sand visible laminate countertop surfaces for scratch removal. Use only very light 320 or 400 scuffing when preparing for a compatible coating system.Dry for coating prep only.
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Can I sand laminate furniture before painting?

Paint may not grip laminate furniture if the glossy surface is not scuffed.

Use 220 or 320 to scuff laminate before primer.Dry.
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Cutting through finish between coats

Sanding between coats removes too much finish or cuts through the coating.

Use 400 for stronger primer or paint leveling. Use 600, 800, or finer for thin coats and final smoothing.Use dry sanding when the coating must stay dry. Use wet sanding only when the coating is fully cured and water-safe.
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Grit is too coarse between coats

The sanding scratches between coats are too visible.

Use 400 for primer, 600 for paint or finish coats, and 800 or finer near the final coat.Use dry sanding for coatings that are not water-safe. Use wet sanding only after the coat is fully cured and compatible with water.
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Guide coat still visible after sanding

Guide coat remains in low spots after sanding primer.

Continue leveling with 320 or 400, then refine with 600 after the surface is even.Dry.
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How do I remove gloss before repainting?

The painted surface is glossy and needs prep before repainting.

Use 220 for general scuffing; use 320 or 400 for finer prep.Dry for general prep.
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How to clean sanding dust before painting

Paint can look gritty, fisheye, or peel when sanding dust remains on the surface.

After final sanding, keep the same final prep grit and focus on dust removal before coating.Dry dust removal after dry sanding; clean wipe after wet sanding.
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Paint clogs the sheet quickly

Paint residue loads into the abrasive and sanding slows.

Use the grit needed for the stage, often 120 to 220 for removal or prep.Dry for removal; wet only for suitable fine finishing stages.
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Paint fisheyes after sanding

Paint forms small crater-like spots after sanding and repainting.

Clean contamination first, then prep with 220, 320, or 400 based on the coating stage.Dry for most prep after cleaning.
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Paint peels after sanding and repainting

New paint peels or lifts after sanding and repainting.

Use 180 to 220 for general prep and follow coating instructions.Dry for most repaint prep.
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Paint removal is too slow

Paint is not coming off fast enough while sanding.

Use 60 or 80 for heavy removal, 120 for controlled removal, then refine with 150, 180, and 220.Use dry sanding for most paint removal. Wet sanding can help with fine residue only when the coating and surface can safely be rinsed.
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Pinholes show after sanding spackle

Small pinholes can appear in spackle after sanding and painting prep.

Use 220 for smoothing after applying a thin skim coat.Dry.
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Plastic primer feels rough after drying

Plastic primer can dry gritty or rough before paint.

Use 600 for smoothing plastic primer, then 800 for finer visible prep.Dry or wet only if the primer instructions allow it.
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Primer dust loads the paper

Primer dust packs into the abrasive during prep.

Use 320 to 600 depending on the primer stage.Dry or wet depending on coating instructions and finish stage.
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Primer scratches show before paint

Primer still shows sanding scratches before the topcoat.

Use 400 for primer prep, then 600 for smoother topcoat prep.Dry or wet only if the primer system allows it.
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Primer scratches show through paint

Scratch marks in primer are visible after paint is applied.

Refine primer with 320 or 400, then use 600 for finer final prep.Dry for most primer prep; wet only when the coating instructions allow it.
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Primer scratches show through paint

Sanding scratches in primer are still visible after paint.

Use 320 for primer leveling, 400 for normal paint prep, and 600 for finer prep before topcoat.Use dry sanding for most primer prep. Use wet sanding only when the primer is fully cured and water-safe.
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Sanding scratches show through paint

Paint dries and reveals sanding scratches underneath.

Use 320 or 400 before primer or paint. Use 600 for finer topcoat prep.Dry for normal prep.
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Should I sand greasy cabinets?

Greasy cabinets can still peel after sanding and painting.

Clean first, then scuff with 180 or 220 before primer.Dry after cleaning.
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Spray primer feels rough after drying

Spray primer can dry rough, dusty, or gritty before paint.

Use 400 or 600 to smooth primer before paint.Dry.
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Surface is too rough for paint

The surface still feels rough before painting.

Use 180 and 220 for general smoothing; use 320 or 400 for finer prep.Dry for most prep.
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Using the assorted kit for finish prep

It is unclear which assorted kit grits to use before applying a finish.

Use 180 or 220 for normal smoothing, then refine with 320 and 400 before applying finish.Use dry sanding for most wood, paint, and primer finish prep. Use wet sanding only on surfaces that can safely be rinsed.
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What grit before gold leaf on wood?

Gold leaf can show bumps, scratches, or roughness from the surface underneath.

Use 220 for smoothing, then 320 or 400 after primer or sealer.Dry.
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What grit before spray paint?

Spray paint can show scratches, dust, or poor adhesion after sanding.

Use 320 or 400 for general spray paint prep. Use 600 for finer topcoat prep.Dry for most prep; wet for fine finishing stages when the coating instructions allow it.
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What grit between cabinet primer coats?

Cabinet primer can feel rough, dusty, or uneven between coats.

Use 320 between primer coats. Use 400 before a finer topcoat.Dry.
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What grit for a bicycle frame before painting?

A bicycle frame can peel or show scratches if old finish is not scuffed evenly.

Use 220 or 320 to scuff existing paint. Use 400 before final paint prep.Dry.
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What grit for a metal mailbox before painting?

Mailbox paint can peel when the old surface is glossy, rusty, or dusty.

Use 120 or 180 on rust spots, then 220 or 320 for paint prep.Dry.
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What grit for a painted metal door before repainting?

A painted metal door can peel again if glossy old paint is not scuffed.

Use 220 or 320 for scuffing, then 400 for smoother visible prep.Dry.
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What grit for a wood door before painting?

A painted door can show scratches or peeling when the prep is too rough or too glossy.

Use 180 or 220 for general door prep, and 320 lightly between cured coats.Dry.
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What grit for ABS plastic before painting?

Paint can peel from ABS plastic if the surface is glossy or contaminated.

Use 320 or 400 for scuffing, then 600 for smoother paint prep.Dry.
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What grit for alloy wheel curb rash?

Curb rash on alloy wheels can stay rough or show sanding lines after repair.

Use 180 or 220 for shaping light rash, then 320, 400, and 600 for prep.Dry for shaping; wet can be used at finer stages.
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What grit for aluminum boat before paint?

Paint may peel from an aluminum boat if oxidation or gloss remains.

Use 320 or 400 for oxidation and paint prep, then 600 for finer primer prep.Dry for initial prep; wet can be used at 600.
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What grit for aluminum boat before painting?

Paint can peel from aluminum boats when oxidation or old coating remains.

Use 120 or 180 for old coating edges, then 220 or 320 for primer prep.Dry for prep; wet only where the paint system allows.
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What grit for aluminum screen door before painting?

Paint can peel from aluminum screen doors when oxidation or gloss remains.

Use 220 or 320 for scuffing, then 400 for smoother visible prep.Dry.
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