I'm trying to figure out if I need to sand my bedroom walls before I paint them with a soft pink eggshell finish. They might currently be satin paint, but I can't get a solid confirmation on that. The walls are white, in good shape, and have a textured, dotty finish. I'm especially worried about creating a dust mess since this is my child's room. Is sanding really necessary? If so, what steps should I follow?
3 Answers
If the paint is in decent condition, there’s generally no need to sand from satin to eggshell unless you're dealing with a gloss finish. Just make sure to prime if you're changing colors significantly or if the old paint is oil-based and you're going with a water-based product. Also, if you can avoid it, eggshell can be tricky to touch up later on, so just keep that in mind!
Honestly, I've never sanded my walls before repainting. If you're unsure, maybe try a small test patch without sanding to see how it goes. That way, you can put your mind at ease without creating a dust storm in the room!
I’ve always washed my walls before painting instead of sanding. Just make sure to clean off any dirt or grease first. Also, if you’re worried about the paint being different types, I think it’s usually fine to go from satin to eggshell, but I'd definitely suggest a test area to see how it adheres. You might be pleasantly surprised!
Do you think it would look fine over a brighter color too? I'm just cautious about mixing finishes.