Drywall & walls
Prepping painted drywall for new paint
A light scuff. That's it.
Repainting over old paint? You don't need to strip. A light 220 scuff gives the new paint a tooth — and that's most of the prep right there.
Beginner-friendly An hour per room 1 stage
The climb
The exact sequence, in order.
- 1 220
Scuff the existing paint
Sanding sponge or 220 sheet on a hand block. Even, light passes.
Reach for
3M Angled Sanding Sponges (6-pack) — Wet or Dry
Watch out for
The things that quietly ruin the job.
- ·Test for lead if the house is pre-1978. Sanding lead paint requires HEPA containment and a different conversation.
- ·Don't sand glossy paint with anything finer than 220. The point is to break the gloss for adhesion.
Questions people ask
The practical part.
Do I need to sand if I'm using the same color?
Yes, lightly. New paint over old gloss peels within months without a scuff.
Keep going