Sanding door trim for painting involves using the right sandpaper grit based on the trim's condition to create a smooth surface for paint adhesion.
Properly sanding door trim prepares the surface, ensuring that paint adheres well and results in a smooth, professional finish. The key is selecting the appropriate sandpaper grit for the trim's current state.
Based on the provided reference:
- If your woodwork is smooth, just give it a once-over with 120-grit sandpaper.
- But if your trim is in rough shape like ours, start with 80-grit sandpaper. Switch to 100-grit for smoothing and blending in the areas with layered paint. Finally, go over all the wood with 120-grit.
Sanding Steps Based on Trim Condition
The process varies depending on whether your trim is already smooth or is in rough shape with layered paint.
Scenario 1: Smooth Woodwork
For trim that is relatively smooth and just needs a light scuffing for paint adhesion:
- Use 120-grit sandpaper.
- Give the entire surface a quick once-over to create a slight profile for the paint to grip.
- Wipe away all dust before painting.
Scenario 2: Rough Woodwork with Layered Paint
If your trim has imperfections, old paint layers, or is generally in poor condition, you'll need a multi-step sanding process:
- Start with 80-grit sandpaper: This coarse grit is used to aggressively remove old paint, smooth out imperfections, and tackle rough areas.
- Switch to 100-grit sandpaper: After addressing the major issues with 80-grit, use 100-grit. This medium grit helps to smooth out the marks left by the coarser paper and blend areas with layered paint.
- Finish with 120-grit sandpaper: Finally, go over all the wood surfaces with 120-grit. This fine grit provides the final smoothing, leaving the trim perfectly prepped for primer and paint.
Sandpaper Grit Guide
Here's a quick guide based on the trim's condition:
| Trim Condition | Sandpaper Grit(s) Recommended | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Smooth Woodwork | 120-grit | Light scuffing for paint adhesion |
| Rough (Layered Paint) | 80-grit, then 100-grit, then 120-grit | Removing rough layers, smoothing, final prep |
Remember to clean the trim thoroughly after sanding to remove all dust particles before applying primer and paint. This ensures a smooth, durable finish.
