Why does everyone sand down everything they paint?

Sanding the base material makes it smooth, so underlying surface imperfections do not transfer into the new paint surface. Sanding existing paint surfaces before recoating smooths out roller stipple and brush marks which transfer through to the new coating. It is also important to clean the surface and use a tack cloth to remove all sanding dust so your base surface is impeccably clean prior to repainting, if you are really interested in a top notch, smooth paint finish. If you're painting a surface that's supposed to be rough, then just clean it the best you can so there is nothing to interfere with new paint adhesion.

I always sand because I was told the paint would adhere better And not peel.If you don't have any problems with not sanding Go Girl!!!

New paint needs something to hold on to. If your paint peels or flakes and you can see the old paint under, that is what you are trying to prevent. The glossier the old paint the more likely the new paint won't adhere. Has nothing to do with coverage.

The new coat of paint doesn't usually adhere well to the old and it will begin to peel.

Sanding does a few things:

• Makes everything smoooooth! I used to buy hand-made furniture from a guy, go home and sand his stuff to make it smooth to the touch. Great furniture, lousy finish.
• Provide a tooth for the new finish. Sanding de-glosses and breaks the surface of the old paint to allow new paint to really stick.
• Creates a professional-looking finish. I know there's a trend for "chalk paint" and roughed-up surfaces, but seeing gopped-up paint or chips or cracks or brush marks isn't my thing. We have a shop in town where the proprietor re-paints old furniture and sells that worn look but she admitted to me that she doesn't much like the look either, so there's at least two of us in the world.

I will say that unsanded pieces are easier to refinish since the paint isn't as secure on the surface. I just removed the paint from the surface of an old buffet, found a beautiful piece in cherry and sanded it down before re-finishing it. The paint came off in strips and I know it had been painted in the last 5 years.

I am old school and sand everything! Provides for a much smoother, professional finish that will be less likely to chip in the years to come.

The paint adheres better.

No problem. Always happy to help.

The new low/ no V.O.C. paints are not as good as far as I am concerned.

I usually don't sand unless the finish is bumpy or uneven.

I use a deglosser and steel wool and give a light scrub, so I clean and degloss at the same time.

I then used an old dampened towel to remove the dirt, steel wool etc.

It helps the paint adhere better and last longer. I have painted without doing either in the past, but I truly believe that the new paints need the extra steps.

With the price of paint these days, I am not willing to repaint.

Thank you!!