sanding between emulsion coats - do I need to?

[mk2phil]

Hi guys,

I've had my entire living room skimmed (over plasterboard) and have applied a single coat of Dulux Supermatt watered down by about 25% to all the walls and ceiling.

Once I've filled and sanded a few cracks that have appeared, do I need to sand the walls and ceiling before I apply the second coat of paint? and if so, what grade sandpaper should I use, and do I need to wipe the whole area down afterwards with a wet cloth before I apply the next coat to remove any dust that the sanding down has left on the walls?

And should I apply a second coat of supermatt before I start applying my 2 finish coats of endurance matt?

Thanks in advance

 

[Richard C]

Why have you got cracks? you should not have any cracks in new plaster work. Where they are & how large? filler paint may not cover them up!

I usually apply 2/3 coats of cheap own brand matt emulsion, thinned 25-30% in quick succession to give better adhesion, then finish coats when it’s fully dry. I would apply a 2nd watered down coat of Supermatt & then your Endurance matt finish coats when that's dry; no need to sand in between or wet the area down. Must say you’re going to far more trouble than I or most others would.

 

[Diyisfun]

Richard C.. I think DIYers do take more time/trouble as they are not paying a pro.
Many,many years ago I had thoughts of working for myself, but I thought I fussed about to much & would get rich, I still fuss about, I did get rich, then got divorced...So now Im just a happy diyer.

 

[mk2phil]

So you're saying i dont need to sand between coats - just apply the subsequent coats when the previous has dried?

 

[Richard C]

Don’t get me wrong, the comment wasn’t intended as an excuse for sub-standard or shoddy work; I’m know as being a perfectionist, far too bloody fussy & a general PITA. Good preparation is essential but doesn’t need to take an age but it’s a question of diminishing returns & once you get to a certain point, the extra work is disproportionate to any noticeable improvement which 99% of folks won’t see anyway.

I once had a neighbour who spent a whole week laboriously sanding, undercoating, sanding & top coating a single 1.8m x 1.2m kitchen wide window frame & I decorated both my kitchen & lounge in the same time. I couldn’t tell the difference & to be honest thought mine looked better than his! The same bloke would start cleaning his car at 9am on Sunday & give it the last wipe with a leather around 1:30 when he went in for lunch; he also had Christmas decoration plan with dimensions on it! Nice bloke apart from this obsessive disorder behaviour though.

 

[Richard C]

So you're saying i dont need to sand between coats - just apply the subsequent coats when the previous has dried?

I wouldn’t, it goes back to what I’ve said above but I do prefer to thin all my emulsion paint slightly as it’s easier to apply & gives a much better finish & I prefer to use a large brush rather than a roller. I rarely buy expensive paint unless it’s a particular colour I’m after &, TBO, I can’t say I’ve noticed any real difference apart from covering ability but, as I’m not trade decorator, that’s no real issue for me anyway.

 

[mk2phil]

Thanks Richard - you talk a lot of sense.

I'm actually VERY similar to your next door neightbour you described above though I'm trying to stop being so pedantic about everything, but it's hard!

I am starting to learn that even though I spend 3x longer on DIY stuff, anyone other than me doesn't really notice/appreciate all the extra effort you've gone to in order to get it 'right'.

Thanks again mate