Do I need to sand my baseboards before applying a primer and paint?

Question

Our baseboards are 20yrs old and still have the origional stain and we want to paint them white? Two people have told us it is not necessary to sand them before applying the first coat of primer. Is this ok?

Answer 1

Yes they do need to be sanded first! Your paint will not stick properly and will chip and not set right. When you sand, you open up the grain of the wood so it will let the primer and paint in. That's how you get a good paint job. I'v worked at a cabinet factory sanding, painting and staining canbinets. So I know this is right. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

My recommendation is to scuff sand the baseboards. After sanding I would use a cleaner like TSP to remove the sanding dust as well as any other impurities that may cause adhesion problems. Sanding creates a profile on the surface to be primed or painted. It gives the binders and resins in primer or paint something to grab hold of. This reduces the risk of chipping or peeling long term. I would also sand the primer before applying paint to the baseboards for the same reason as above, but also to achieve uniformity of sheen in the finished product. I would do it right the first time, because baseboards are not fun to paint. If you are unsure of the existing product on the baseboard, my recommendation would be to use an oil based primer or a pigmented shellac primer. An oil based or acrylic paint may be used over either of these primers.

Answer 3

Not many people use Oil based paint as Laytex is so much easier to clean up. I would sand if I were you! You don't want that **** pealing up after a year. Buy a palm hand sander. Get a good one. Mine is cheap and keeps clogging. Walmart has the cheapest. Or Sears Hardware.

Answer 4

Not usually.. but you will need to clean off the surface scum over the years though.. amonia and hot water will usually do it... most house paints these days are amonia based anyway...

In most cases you really wont need to primer really.. just a few coats.. but a primer wouldnt hurt..

Answer 5

depends on the finish that was put over the stain. if its glossy, then a good sanding wouldnt hurt. if its not glossy, then just a godd thorough wash will be sufficient.

Answer 6

It certainly can't hurt
Most importantly is to use a good primer/sealer like KILZ or BIN