Hey guys! I'm getting started with some DIY home improvements in my nearly 100-year-old Sears home. One major issue I'm facing is the baseboards and trim, which have been painted over multiple times. This has left them with an uneven finish, including bubbles, bumps from what seems like an overloaded roller, and even some painted-over hairs. My goal is to repaint them so they look brand new. I'm wondering: should I just clean the surfaces, sand them smooth, and fill any holes or cracks with putty before repainting with a brush? Also, what grit sandpaper or sanding sponge should I use for this job, and do you have any recommendations for good filler putty? Thanks in advance for your help!
2 Answers
It’s likely safer to replace the trim altogether, especially if you're concerned about lead paint. But yeah, that can be a lot of work! If you’re not comfortable with removing and installing new trim, you might want to play it safe and just repaint over the existing stuff after proper prep.
You're right to be cautious about lead paint in a house that age. Taking it slow and tackling a small area at a time is a smart move. Just remember, for the sanding, you can start with a medium grit (like 120) and then finish with a finer grit (around 220) for that smooth finish. And for filler putty, I've had good luck with spackling compounds from the hardware store!
Thanks for the tips! I'll make sure to work on it section by section.
Yeah, definitely considering it. Just don't want to mess up the installation, I'm kind of new to this!