I'm looking to paint the area below my chair rail, including the shadow boxes, all in white. The problem I'm facing is that my painter claims the old stipple texture from the previous paint jobs will come through, making the finish uneven. I often see these beautiful, smooth finishes online, and I'm wondering if there's any way to achieve that look despite what my painter says. Is he right about the stipple showing through? What are some techniques or strategies others use to get a perfectly smooth finish?
2 Answers
Your painter has a point about the stipple showing through old paint textures, but there are ways around it. To achieve that smooth finish, you'll need to sand down the wall to remove the existing texture and then apply a skim coat before priming to a Level 5 finish. It's definitely not a typical part of a painting project but will help you get the smooth look you're after. If your painter isn't familiar with this approach or unwilling to do the extra work, it might be worth looking for someone who specializes in this kind of job.
You're definitely not alone in wanting that perfectly smooth finish! Sanding and skim-coating are the best methods. If you're looking to avoid any stipple in the new coat, using a spray gun can give you a nice smooth result without the roller texture. Just make sure to protect the rest of your room well! It might be pricier, but if you see that look everywhere, most pros might be using skim coats to get there.