I'm about to put primer on my bathroom walls before I paint them but first I need to sand everything down and I don't have any decent sandpaper. I'm just wondering if steel wool or anything else can be used as an good alternative?
2007-05-28 19:19:29 · 8 answers · asked by __ 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
IMO, sandpaper is still the best option. Steel wool tends to be coarse and rough and will not sand it down as smoothly and as precisely as sandpaper would. Also, the sound of steel wool rubbing against stuff is painful :)
2007-05-28 19:28:21 · answer #1 · answered by therealantyman 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As an alternative WOOL is what should be used on clear coated surfaces, but not painted walls. As one answer states the fibers can shred, leaving you an even greater task.
Without knowing at all WHY you might have to sand a wall, certainly sand paper sheets aren't prohibitely expensive, and the grade you might consider, (depending on the WHY) is to start with 100 then go finer. Also use a pad. that can just be a block of wood, or a drywall mesh pad sanding tool.
In any home impr. store or paint store you will also find foam blocks with various grit surfaces, although they wear like any other material you might use.
S.W.
2007-05-29 00:10:43 · answer #2 · answered by DIY Doc 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
From my experience as a painter, sand paper only can work but, what is your wall? is it ceramic tiles, painted cement or steel. If it's ceramic, course steel wool may work but will damage the texture, cement, the steel wool will get clogged up and if it's metal, the primer wont stay, it will flake off especially because a bathroom is wet.
2007-05-28 19:35:15 · answer #3 · answered by 2ria M 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sandpaper is the best bet, if you use steel wool and leave flecks of the wool behind, the water-based paint can actually cause it to rust, leaving nasty spots behind.
2007-05-28 19:38:42 · answer #4 · answered by Amy 911 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Avoid steel wool. It will shed little slivers that will stick into the walls and rust, and stick into your fingers with obvious unpleasant results. Go buy some sandpaper; it's cheap.
2007-05-28 19:30:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you need to sand your sheetrock taping, or spackling, you can use a very slightly damp sponge to smooth it out. You have to be very careful not to get it too wet, that means VERY slightly. Just rub over to smooth, then let dry before priming. Remember the face of sheetrock is paper and it doesn't take much water and elbow grease to make it roll up!
2007-05-29 00:18:17 · answer #6 · answered by Needtoknow 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi my best guess would be to use the 600 Grit Sand paper, with a little bit of water.
2016-05-20 04:38:56 · answer #7 · answered by ariana 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a sander to avoid killing your arms and go like the wind.
2007-05-28 19:34:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋