{"id":3301,"date":"2022-03-05T16:14:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-05T21:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diywithchristine.com\/?p=3301"},"modified":"2024-02-27T08:00:21","modified_gmt":"2024-02-27T13:00:21","slug":"how-to-sand-trim-baseboards-before-painting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diywithchristine.com\/how-to-sand-trim-baseboards-before-painting\/","title":{"rendered":"Do You Need To Sand Trim & Baseboards Before Painting? (Picture Tutorial!)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Wondering if you need to sand trim & baseboards before painting? Well, look no further because I have your answer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sanding trim & baseboards before painting are crucial to getting the paint to adhere properly to the slick surface. Sanding trim creates a clean, smooth surface to work on, helps primer and paint bond to the wood better, and provides a more durable, long-lasting paint job than painting without sanding first does.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, let’s break down the benefits and drawbacks of sanding baseboards before painting them first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then I’ll show you exactly how to prep your trim & baseboards before paint, so your paint job will last for years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s dive in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are several big benefits to sanding trim & baseboards before painting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These benefits include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The first benefit to prepping trim & baseboard for paint is that you will have a clean, smooth surface to work on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you sand, I highly recommend filling any gaps, dings, or scratches with white wood filler, so that your final finish is smooth and new.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Doing this and then sanding will help remove any unevenness and old, flaking\/chipping paint so that you know your paint is going on a fresh surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Without sanding first, then your newly painted trim & baseboard will still show all of the unevenness and damage, which will detract from the beauty of the new paint job.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The next benefit to prepping trim & baseboard for paint is that the paint will adhere better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is arguably the most important reason to sand before painting, especially if your trim & baseboard currently has a glossy, slick surface. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n (Your trim & baseboard likely does have this slick surface because it is common to paint or stain trim with a high gloss finish.)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sanding first will rough up the existing glossy surface, which will, in turn, allow the new paint and primer to stick to the trim & baseboard properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Without roughing up that glossy texture first, your paint will peel off so easily and all of your efforts will be wasted.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, I’m speaking from experience. This is how we painted the dark walnut glossy trim throughout our first home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We didn’t sand first, and over the years the paint would just peel off if it was ever hit or anything dragged against it. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I made sure not to make that mistake in the next home that we painted the trim & baseboard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We took all of the extra prep steps (that I’ll explain below), and this paint job does not peel off with the slightest scratch!<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The final benefit to prepping trim & baseboard for paint is that your efforts will last longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since the primer and paint can stick to the trim & baseboard properly after it has been sanded, your paint job (and your efforts) will last much longer.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re anything like me, then you’re looking to only complete DIY projects that will be worth your effort and last for years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, sand the trim & baseboard before painting, and you will not have to paint again for years.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n But if you skip this step, then you will find yourself either making touch-up paint jobs constantly or just living with an imperfect, peeling paint job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, we can’t talk about the benefits of sanding trim & baseboards without talking about the drawbacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These drawbacks include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The first drawback to prepping trim & baseboard for paint is that sanding is messy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Expect to have dust all over the floor after sanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since the sanding will mostly be just to scuff up the surface (as opposed to removing layers), the amount of dust won’t be that big of a deal to sweep up after you are done sanding.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Using a wet paper towel and a shop vacuum after you are done sanding to remove the majority of the dust will make this drawback a rather small part of your entire painting project.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The final drawback to prepping trim & baseboard for paint is that it’s time-consuming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I know most people are looking for the fastest way to get a DIY project done (believe me, I always want to be efficient with my time as well), but this is not one of those times where it is worth skipping steps just to get the project done faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sanding the trim & baseboards does add 2 more steps to your project (the sanding and the cleaning up steps), but they are well worth it to make your project last.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And if you have to make any type of repair before you paint, you will have to sand regardless, so you might as well sand all of the baseboards to get the best finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you’ve seen both the pros and cons of sanding before painting, let’s go over how to prep the trim & baseboards for paint.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n You only need a few tools and a little bit of extra effort to properly prep the trim & baseboard before painting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\nQuick Navigation: How To Repaint Trim & Baseboards<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Benefits Of Sanding Trim & Baseboard Before Painting<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Benefit One: Sanding Trim & <\/strong>Baseboard Provides A Clean, Smooth Surface To Work On<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Benefit<\/strong> Two: Primer & Paint Will Adhere Better To Sanded Trim & <\/strong>Baseboards<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Benefit Three: The Paint Job Will Last Longer On Sanded Trim & <\/strong>Baseboards<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nRelated Trim & Moulding Articles<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nDrawbacks Of Sanding Trim & <\/strong>Baseboard Before Painting<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Drawback One: Sanding Trim & <\/strong>Baseboard Is Messy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Drawback Two: Sanding Trim & <\/strong>Baseboard Is Time Consuming<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How To Prep Trim & Baseboard Before Painting<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n