How to Sand Painted Doors Before Repainting: Smooth, Durable Results with 150–320 Grit

Repainting interior or exterior doors can dramatically refresh your space—but without proper sanding, the new paint might chip, peel, or show every old brush mark. The key to a professional finish is using the right grit sequence, light pressure, and thorough surface prep.

Why Sand Before Repainting Doors?

Sanding scuffs the existing finish so new paint can bond securely. It also smooths out scratches, drips, and texture from previous coats, giving you a consistent surface that makes the topcoat look flawless.

Best Grit Sequence for Doors

• Grit 150: Initial leveling for rough or peeling paint.
• Grit 220: General smoothing after repairs or patching.
• Grit 320: Final prep before applying primer or paint.

Step-by-Step: Sanding Painted Doors for Repainting

1. Remove the door (optional but recommended). Taking the door off the hinges and laying it flat allows for better control and fewer drips during painting.
2. Clean thoroughly. Wipe down with a mild detergent to remove dust, grease, and fingerprints. Let it dry completely before sanding.
3. Level damaged areas. Start with Grit 150 (25-pack) to knock down peeling paint, remove bumps, or smooth out filler. Keep pressure light to avoid gouging wood or MDF.
4. Smooth the surface. Switch to Grit 220 (50-pack) to refine the entire door face. This step blends repair spots and leaves a uniform tooth for primer.
5. Final prep. Finish with Grit 320 (100-pack) for a silky-smooth base that maximizes topcoat adhesion.
6. Clean again. Vacuum thoroughly, then wipe with a damp microfiber cloth followed by a tack cloth to remove all fine dust.

Pro Tips

• Always sand with the grain of wood doors to avoid cross-scratches.
• For paneled doors, use a sanding sponge to reach recessed areas without damaging edges.
• Work in a dust-controlled area or outdoors to prevent debris from settling on fresh paint.

Common Mistakes

• Skipping the coarse-to-fine progression—going straight to fine grit may leave imperfections visible under paint.
• Over-sanding edges—can round off crisp details on raised panels.
• Not cleaning between grits—leftover particles from coarser paper can cause scratches in later stages.

FAQs

• Do I need to remove all old paint? No—only loose or flaking paint must go. Well-adhered layers can be scuffed for adhesion.
• Can I use a power sander? Yes, but control speed and use fine pads to avoid swirl marks, especially on flat sections.

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