Sandpaper Grit Before Painting
Quick answer
Grit is a number for how coarse an abrasive is: lower numbers cut faster and leave deeper scratches, higher numbers leave a finer surface. For paint prep, use 100 to 150 for heavy leveling, 150 to 220 for bare wood, and 220 to 320 for scuffing trim and between coats. The best grit is the coarsest one that does the job without leaving scratches the paint will show.
Key takeaways
- 100 to 150 removes old finish and levels patches; 150 to 220 prepares bare wood; 220 to 320 scuffs and de-nibs.
- Always step through grits rather than jumping from coarse to fine in one move.
- The scratch pattern, not the grit number, is the test: if you can see it in raking light, it will show under paint.
- 3M Pro Grade, Norton/Dura-Gold, and Diablo SandNet are the lines we buy at retail; panel testing is in progress.
Quick verdict
Most paint-prep failures are not from using the wrong brand of paper; they are from using the wrong grit for the step. Too coarse and the scratches telegraph through the finish. Too fine and the surface stays glossy and the paint has nothing to key into. The safe default is a 220-grit sheet for scuffing painted surfaces and a 150-to-180 sheet for bare wood.
Our panel test is in progress, so this guide ranks by published specifications, price, and documented performance. For the grit you use after the first coat, our grit between paint coats guide picks up where this one leaves off.
Grit by task
These are standard task-to-grit ranges, not test results. Start at the coarse end only when you need to remove material, then step finer.
| Task | Grit range |
|---|---|
| Heavy leveling and old finish removal | 100 to 150 |
| Bare wood before painting | 150 to 220 |
| Scuff-sand painted trim before repaint | 220 to 320 |
| Feathering spackle and joint compound | 150 to 220 |
| Fine finish and final polish | 320 or finer |
The two numbers you will reach for most are 150 for bare wood and 220 for almost everything else. The goal is a uniform surface the paint can key into, not removing material for its own sake.
Products tested
The products below are in our test queue. Prices are approximate retail and shift by pack size and region, so read them as a bracket, not a quote.
| Product | Format | Approx. price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3M Pro Grade Sandpaper | Assorted sheets, 100-320 | $5-$10 per pack | General paint prep across grits |
| Diablo SandNet | Mesh sheets, 120-320 | $6-$10 per pack | Dust-free scuffing and de-nibbing |
| Norton ProSand Sheets | Assorted sheets | $5-$9 per pack | Bare wood and leveling |
| Dura-Gold Premium Sheets | Assorted multi-grit | $5-$8 per pack | Feathering and finish sanding |
How we test
Our sandpaper protocol runs each product across the same controlled boards at matched grits. We record how quickly a sheet cuts, how evenly it leaves a scratch pattern, how it loads with dust, and how it survives flexing around an edge. The shared prep method sits with our how we test paint page.
Test results
There are no measured results to publish yet. The ordering on this page reflects published grit coverage, pack pricing, and the documented behavior of the abrasive types, not a finished test score. When Wave 1 results land, the scores will replace this spec-based ordering under our editorial standards.
Buying criteria
Judge sandpaper on four things. Abrasive type is first: aluminum oxide is the standard for wood and painted surfaces, and mesh formats like Diablo SandNet cut with less clogging. Backing is second: a heavier paper or cloth backing survives folding and edges better. Grit coverage is third: buy a pack that spans 100 to 320 so you can step through the sequence. Durability is last: a sheet that dulls in one pass costs more than a slightly pricier sheet that lasts. For the full room-level prep sequence, see our how to prepare walls guide.
Application tips
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Match the grit to the step
Use 100 to 150 only to remove material, 150 to 220 to prepare bare wood, and 220 to 320 to scuff and de-nib.
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Step through the grades
Move from coarse to medium to fine rather than jumping. Each step erases the scratches of the one before it.
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Use a block on flat surfaces
Wrapping paper around a rigid block keeps the pressure even and stops your fingers from digging grooves.
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Check the scratch pattern
Inspect in raking light. If the pattern is visible, sand to a finer grit before you prime or paint.
Watch out
Sandpaper grit is not interchangeable between steps. Coarse scratches from a 100-grit leveling pass will not be hidden by paint, so always finish bare wood and repairs with a 150-to-220 pass before you move on.
Final recommendation
Keep a pack that spans the range rather than a single grit: 100 to 150 for leveling, 150 to 220 for bare wood, and 220 to 320 for scuffing and between coats. 3M Pro Grade is the dependable all-around sheet, and Diablo SandNet is worth it when you want to cut down on dust. For the between-coat step specifically, our what grit between coats guide covers the numbers and the technique.
FAQs
What grit sandpaper should I use before painting?
Can I skip sanding and just clean the surface?
What is the difference between 150 and 220 grit?
Do I need a power sander for paint prep?
PaintReviews buys the products it tests at retail. Manufacturer-supplied samples are labeled and tested under the same protocol. Some links may be affiliate links that support testing; they never change rankings. See our commercial disclosure policy.