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The one thing everyone messes up when they paint their own trim
I keep seeing people skip the sanding step on new wood, and it makes the paint peel in under a year. What's your go-to prep method for trim?
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robert_craig2mo ago
My last house had trim that looked awful after six months because I didn't sand the factory finish. Now I always start with 120 grit sandpaper to rough up the surface, then wipe it down with a damp cloth to get rid of the dust. A good oil-based primer is my next step, it sticks way better than the water-based stuff. That routine has kept my paint jobs looking good for years, no peeling at all.
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logan6482mo ago
Actually, water-based primers have come a long way. The newer ones bond just as well to sanded trim. Oil-based is fine, but it's not the only good option anymore.
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craig.grant10d ago
Oh man, the sanding debate is real. I learned the hard way when I painted my old kitchen cabinets - figured I could skip sanding the trim around them since it was already painted. Looked great for about three months, then started flaking every time someone brushed past it. Now I use a tack cloth after sanding, not just a damp rag. That stuff picks up the fine dust you can't even see. But I also learned the hard way that tack cloth can leave a residue if you press too hard, so now I just lightly dab it. What do you use for dust removal between coats?
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