Refinishing Textured Walls: Sanding Without Flattening

Textured walls add depth and character to interiors, but when it’s time to refinish, sanding becomes tricky. Standard sanding can easily flatten peaks or erase patterns, leaving uneven patches. The key is light, controlled sanding that preserves the texture while prepping the surface for paint.

Why Textured Walls Are Difficult to Sand

Unlike flat drywall, textured surfaces have raised points and valleys. Aggressive sanding quickly removes these details, leaving obvious flat spots. A careful approach ensures smooth paint adhesion without damaging the decorative texture.

Tools You’ll Need

• Sanding sponge or pole sander with fine grit
• Hand sanding block for spot work
• Vacuum with dust collection attachment
• Tack cloth or microfiber rag
• Protective mask and goggles

Recommended Grit Sequence

• 150 grit: For light smoothing of rough or chipped areas.
• 180 grit: For refining without flattening peaks.
• 220 grit: For final prep before repainting.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Inspect the wall. Identify rough spots, drips, or peeling paint that need touch sanding.
2. Start light sanding. Use 150 grit (100-pack) on a sponge to smooth problem areas without flattening texture.
3. Refine with finer grit. Switch to 180 grit (50-pack) to blend surfaces gently.
4. Final pass. Use 220 grit (25-pack) for a soft finish that’s ready for primer or paint.
5. Clean thoroughly. Vacuum wall surfaces and wipe with a tack cloth to remove fine dust.
6. Prime carefully. Apply primer with a roller suited for textured surfaces to avoid pooling in valleys.

Special Cases

For knockdown or orange peel textures, avoid sanding large areas—instead, focus only on flaws. For popcorn ceilings or heavily raised textures, sanding isn’t recommended; scraping and retexturing may be required.

Pro Tips

• Use sanding sponges that conform to wall contours without flattening.
• Always sand lightly—pressing too hard destroys raised detail.
• Shine raking light on walls to spot imperfections before painting.
• Prime and paint with rollers designed for textured finishes.

Aftercare

• Touch up chips or scratches with light sanding and matching paint.
• Dust textured walls gently with a microfiber cloth—avoid abrasive scrubbing.
• Repaint every few years to keep textures sharp and fresh.

FAQs

• Can I use a power sander on textured walls? Not recommended—hand sanding offers more control.
• Do I need to sand the entire wall? No—spot sanding is usually enough before repainting.
• Will sanding remove all texture? Not if done lightly with the right grit and tools.

Watch & Learn

By sanding gently and strategically, you can prep textured walls for repainting while keeping their decorative finish intact.