Should I follow a special process for sanding wood before putting white tiles and painting it white?
Asked by Rebecca Vasquez 
8 months ago
Last Updated: May 9, 2024
I’m thinking about using white tiles and painting the wood white. Do you think there’s a specific way I should sand the wood before painting it? I appreciate any advice you can give me ahead of time.
Looking for a smooth finish? Sand the wood, apply shellac, sand again, then paint. Repeat the process. If you’re not concerned about the wood grain, sand, prime, and paint. It’s all about personal preference. If you dislike the look of painted oak with visible wood grain, consider removing the faceplate and painting the metal hardware with high-heat black spray paint. Make sure to tape off the glass carefully.
I believe we both have the same idea in mind. Would it be simple to sand this off?
You only need to sand lightly to break the Finish so the shellac can seep into the pores and float. Then sand and recoat with the shellac and the two coats of paint create a pretty nice smooth finish. That’s how my painters handle a lot of oak cabinets. They have a special product they use that’s either a thicker shellac or epoxy.. I’m not sure. This method works well. Simply sanding in between coats with a high Grit sandpaper is all you need.
Thanks a bunch for your suggestion.
Before sanding, make sure to clean thoroughly. A great product for this step is Dirtex. Sand with 120-150 grit, then vacuum with a brush attachment. Use Stix or XIM UMA. While BIN is good, be aware that shellac and polyurethane don’t mix well. I recommend applying 2 coats of primer, sanding with 320 grit between coats. Vacuum with a brush between coats. I also suggest using a 99.9% dust-free bag in your shop vac. Apply two coats of SW Pro Classic Hybrid or SW Emerald urethane trim enamel (closer to satin than semi-gloss in my opinion, very elegant). If you prefer Benjamin Moore, use Advance. If you prefer Behr, go for the cabinet and trim enamel.
Thanks for sharing this great info! Can you explain why shellac and polyurethane are not compatible?
Not really a good match. There’s a synthetic alternative that works, but shellac is not it. I have 40 years of experience as a Master painter and 30 years in high-end remodeling (carpentry, etc). From Bullseye aka Zinsser: Bulls-Eye Shellac is not recommended for use as a sealer under polyurethane. Another Zinsser product, Bulls Eye Seal Coat, which is dewaxed, can be used under polyurethane
Poly shifts, shellac doesn’t. If you use shellac, it may crack and become brittle
Hey , thanks for sharing this info with us!
I appreciate the heads up, thank you!
Hey , thanks for joining us!