What Grit Sandpaper To Sand Painted Cabinets

The higher the grit number is equivalent to a finer abrasive which creates smoother surface finishes.

What grit sandpaper to sand painted cabinets.

Sand the finish from the cabinets trim and drawers with 120 grit sandpaper. A simple product that combines sand or similar abrasive material on a strong backing paper sandpaper is used to smooth surfaces remove rust or paint and can prepare a surface as well. Laminate cabinets require a special bonding primer. However this grade will be more useful assuming you ve eliminated most of the paint.

Equipped with 100 grit sandpaper orbital sanders remove surface material from cabinets and doors without going too deep. Lower grit numbers represent coarser abrasives that scrape off materials much quicker. If the surface is rough from a previous paint job or poor varnishing job start with coarser 100 grit paper to remove bumps. Heavy grit papers 60 to 80 grit remove material too fast and create scratches that weren t there before.

For surfaces that are to be stained consider a light hand sanding with the grain to remove any and all remaining swirl marks. 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. This has a higher grit grading of between p180 and p500 and will not be as effective at removing the majority of a painted surface.

Special cabinet paints are available that provide a smooth finish but any high quality paint should work. Sandpaper is one of the most common items you will find with professional painters along with all types of construction workers. But you don t need to sand to bare wood. Fine sandpapers range from 120 to 220 grit.

Grab your orbital sander and some medium grit sandpaper. If the cabinets are stained or coated with a single layer of clear finish you may not need to use paint stripper. Many woodworkers find they only need to go down to 100 to 120 grit paper with their random orbital sander for surfaces that will be painted or receive a clear finish. Painted cabinets should get a thorough sanding with 120 grit paper but no matter the finish do a final pass with 220 grit.

Then sand again with 120 grit to get rid of any sanding marks. You can sand by hand if you would like but your arms will probably get pretty tired. Wood cabinets are ideal for painting but any surface that can be scuffed with sandpaper can be painted. Choose a high quality paint.

The grit of sandpapers is a rating of the size of abrasive materials on the sandpaper.