What Grit Sandpaper For Painting Cabinets

Grab your orbital sander and some medium grit sandpaper.

What grit sandpaper for painting cabinets.

The circular bases spin at about 10 000 rpm while wiggling about 1 8 in. The laminate must be in good condition for best results. But you don t need to sand to bare wood. The higher the grit number is equivalent to a finer abrasive which creates smoother surface finishes.

If the surface is rough from a previous paint job or poor varnishing job start with coarser 100 grit paper to remove bumps. The grit of sandpapers is a rating of the size of abrasive materials on the sandpaper. Choose a high quality paint. Lower grit numbers represent coarser abrasives that scrape off materials much quicker.

Orbital sanders are best for bulk sanding. Equipped with 100 grit sandpaper orbital sanders remove surface material from cabinets and doors without going too deep. Special cabinet paints are available that provide a smooth finish but any high quality paint should work. Painted cabinets should get a thorough sanding with 120 grit paper but no matter the finish do a final pass with 220 grit.

Sand the surfaces of the doors drawer faces and cabinet frame to create a smooth surface for priming. If the cabinets are stained or coated with a single layer of clear finish you may not need to use paint stripper. If your cabinets have a factory finish sand lightly with 120 grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge. Light grit sandpaper such as 120 or 180 grit on an orbital won t remove material fast enough.

Off center at the same time. This speedy randomness also allows you to smooth joints where the rails and stiles of your cabinets meet at right angles. You can sand by hand if you would like but your arms will probably get pretty tired. Remember the higher the grit number the smoother the finish.

Sandpaper is one of the most common items you will find with professional painters along with all types of construction workers. Then sand again with 120 grit to get rid of any sanding marks. Laminate cabinets require a special bonding primer. Sand the finish from the cabinets trim and drawers with 120 grit sandpaper.

This creates a truly random sanding pattern which removes wood quickly and minimizes swirl marks. Most cabinet finishes are too smooth or glossy to reprime and repaint so using a medium sandpaper we like 100 to 150 grit sand down your surfaces a little not enough to sand away the current finish entirely but enough to give the primer a little more grit to stick to.