When clients ask us what separates a basic paint job from a luxury one, we tell them to look — and feel — closely.

Does the surface feel smooth to the touch? Is the sheen consistent when the light hits it from all angles? Can you run your hand across the trim and feel zero texture? That level of finish is rarely achieved without sanding between coats.

Why Most Painters Don’t Do This (and Why We Always Do)

Sanding between coats isn’t flashy. It adds time. It creates dust. And it’s completely invisible once the topcoat is on — until it isn’t.

Because without sanding between layers, you’re left with:

• Tiny bumps and grit that ruin a glassy look

• Raised wood grain that’s obvious in glossy finishes

• Paint failure from improper bonding between coats

Skipping this step is a hallmark of rushed or production-style painting. It may be "good enough" at first glance — but over time, the lack of smoothness becomes apparent.

The Science of Sanding

When paint dries, especially high-solids or oil-based paints, tiny particles and dust settle on the surface. Even in a clean jobsite, you can get microscopic grit embedded into the paint layer.

Sanding between coats flattens these imperfections and lightly abrades the surface to allow the next coat to grip more effectively. This is called mechanical adhesion, and it’s especially crucial with high-end paints like Fine Paints of Europe or Benjamin Moore Advance.

We use different grits for different stages:

• 180–220 grit after primer to remove raised fibers or filler

• 220–320 grit between finish coats to create a smooth substrate

• Sanding sponges or pads for curved moldings and detailed profiles

Luxury Results Come From Invisible Work

You won’t “see” the sanding, but you’ll feel it. When your cabinet doors feel like a piano finish… when your trim has zero roller texture… when your walls look like velvet — that’s sanding between coats.

At Total Quality Painting, we don’t just paint over the problem. We sand through it. It’s what elevates your project from contractor-grade to custom-finish.

Want a Finish That Feels as Good as It Looks?

Let us show you how high-end surfaces are truly built — one layer at a time, perfectly sanded in between.