Remove rough areas
Previous repairs, old coatings and rough patches can leave uneven areas on a wall. Appropriate sanding can help level these areas before painting.
Painting & decorating guide
Sanding &
surface preparation
A smooth painted finish starts with the surface underneath. Learn how sanding, filling and careful preparation can make a difference before the first coat of paint is applied.
Surface preparation
Filling · sanding · smoothing
Manual sanding
Controlled preparation for detailed areas
Orbital sanding
Small orbital machine where appropriate
West London
Hammersmith · Ealing · Chiswick
Before painting
A good finish starts before the first coat.
Painting is only one part of achieving a clean finish. The condition of the surface underneath can have a major effect on how the finished wall looks.
Previous paint, filler repairs, small holes, rough areas, old coatings and uneven surfaces may all need different levels of preparation before decorative paint is applied. EveroDecor assesses the surface and uses an appropriate combination of filling, sanding, smoothing and priming where required.
- Wall sanding
- Filling small imperfections
- Manual sanding
- Orbital sanding
- Surface smoothing
- Preparation before painting
Why sanding matters
Why sand a wall before painting?
Sanding is not simply about making a wall feel smooth. It is part of preparing the surface for the next stage of decoration.
Refine filler repairs
Filler can be used to repair suitable small holes, gaps and imperfections. Once dry, the repaired area can be sanded so that it transitions more smoothly into the surrounding surface.
Improve the surface
A freshly painted surface can reveal imperfections that were less obvious before painting, particularly under strong natural or artificial lighting.
Prepare for the coating
The preparation required depends on the paint, existing coating and condition of the substrate. Sanding may form part of the preparation before primer or decorative coats.
Sanding methods
Manual or orbital sanding?
Different areas can benefit from different sanding methods. The objective is controlled surface preparation rather than simply removing as much material as possible.
Manual sanding
Manual sanding gives good control over smaller areas and detailed work. It can be useful around corners, edges, repairs and areas where a powered tool would be unnecessary.
- Corners and edges
- Small repairs
- Filler repairs
- Detailed preparation
Small orbital sanding
A small orbital sanding machine can be useful on suitable larger areas where a more consistent sanding action is appropriate. The machine is used according to the surface and the preparation required.
- Larger suitable surfaces
- Previously painted areas
- Smoothing repaired areas
- Preparation before repainting
Sandpaper grades
Why use different sanding grades?
There is no single sandpaper grade that is ideal for every surface and every stage of preparation. The appropriate grade depends on the existing coating, filler, substrate and condition of the surface.
| Stage | Typical purpose | What is being achieved? |
|---|---|---|
| Coarser sanding | Initial smoothing and removal of rough areas. | Reduce noticeable imperfections and prepare the area for further refinement. |
| Medium sanding | Refining the surface after initial preparation. | Smooth transitions and reduce visible sanding marks. |
| Fine sanding | Final surface refinement. | Produce a smoother surface before the next coating stage. |
| Final inspection | Check the prepared surface under suitable lighting. | Identify remaining imperfections before painting. |
The exact sanding grade should be selected according to the surface and the work being carried out rather than following a fixed sequence for every project.
Filling & repairs
Filling gaps before sanding.
Sanding alone cannot repair a hole or gap. Where suitable, filling can be used first and the repaired area can then be sanded once the filler has dried.
For appropriate small interior repairs, EveroDecor can use white interior filler to fill minor holes, gaps and surface imperfections before sanding and decorating.
Typical preparation sequence
Identify the imperfection → apply suitable filler → allow it to dry → sand the repair → inspect the surface → prime where required → apply the decorative coating.
EveroDecor preparation process
From imperfect surface to finished wall.
01
Assess
Look at the existing surface, previous coatings, repairs and imperfections.
02
Fill & repair
Suitable small holes and imperfections can be filled before the repaired areas are sanded.
03
Sand & refine
Manual or orbital sanding and different grades can be used according to the surface.
04
Paint & finish
Once the surface is appropriately prepared, primer and decorative coatings can be applied where required.
Real project work
Preparation you can see in the finish.
Replace these photographs with your own sanding, filling and preparation photographs. Close-up images are particularly valuable for demonstrating this type of work.
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Preparation & paint
The surface also depends on the finish.
Different decorative finishes can have different visual characteristics and practical requirements. Preparation should therefore consider what will be applied afterwards.
Matt
A low-sheen finish commonly used on walls and ceilings. Surface preparation remains important because uneven areas can still be visible under certain lighting.
Washable
Washable and durable wall paints can be useful in areas where surfaces need to cope with everyday marks and cleaning.
Satinwood
A common choice for suitable interior woodwork, including doors, skirting and frames, where a durable, subtly reflective finish is desired.
Gloss
A higher-sheen finish often used on suitable woodwork. Preparation and sanding can be particularly important because higher sheen can highlight surface imperfections.
Why EveroDecor
Preparation is part of the job.
Surface-first approach
The preparation is considered according to the condition of the existing surface rather than treating every wall in exactly the same way.
Practical paint knowledge
EveroDecor works with different paint brands, colours and finishes and considers the intended use of the room when discussing the specification.
Clear project scope
The quotation can clarify which surfaces, preparation, coats and materials are included before the work starts.
Frequently asked questions
Sanding & preparation FAQs
Do walls need to be sanded before painting?
Not every wall needs extensive sanding. The amount of preparation depends on the existing surface, previous paint, repairs, texture and the finish required.
What sandpaper grade should be used on walls?
The appropriate grade depends on the surface and the stage of preparation. A coarser grade may be appropriate for initial smoothing, followed by finer sanding as the surface is refined.
Do you use an electric sander?
EveroDecor can use manual sanding or a small orbital sanding machine depending on the surface, area and preparation required.
Do you fill holes before sanding?
Where appropriate, small holes, gaps and surface imperfections can be filled before the repaired area is allowed to dry and then sanded smooth.
Can you sand and paint the same room?
Yes. Sanding and surface preparation can form part of a wider interior painting project.
Do you sand woodwork before painting?
Suitable interior woodwork can require preparation and sanding before primer and finishing coats are applied. The preparation depends on the existing coating and condition.
Which areas of London do you cover?
EveroDecor is particularly focused on West London, including Hammersmith, Shepherd's Bush, Chiswick, Ealing, Acton, Fulham and Kensington. Larger London projects can be discussed depending on the job.
Need sanding or surface preparation?
Get your walls ready for a better finish.
Send a few photographs of the walls, woodwork or areas that need preparation. Tell us what you would like to paint and we can discuss the preparation and finish required.