The sanding will help give the primer some additional grip while the primer will help the actual paint last.

The Spruce / Claire Cohen

Warning

Always use a dust mask when sanding.

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Priming the wood

The Spruce / Claire Cohen

Sand the first paint coat by smoothing down bumps and inconsistencies.

Painting directly on bare wood is not recommended.

First, apply a primer to the bare wood and paint.

supplies needed to paint wood

The Spruce / Claire Cohen

If the painted surfaces are in good condition, you may be able to skip the primer.

Prime unfinished or bare wood before painting it.

If the wood will go outside and be exposed to the elements, it must be sealed after painting.

how to clean wood with TSP

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Renovation, Repair and Painting Program: Do-It-Yourselfers.

United States Environmental Protection Agency.

sanding the wood with a random orbital sander

The Spruce / Claire Cohen

hand sanding wood

Claire Cohen

priming the wood with a roller

Claire Cohen

sand after prime

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Painting over the primer

The Spruce / Claire Cohen

Sanding the first coat of paint

The Spruce / Claire Cohen

Adding a second coat of paint

The Spruce / Claire Cohen

person painting a chair

A can of Jolie Paint on an orange background

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Minwax Color-Matched Wood Filler

Bosch ROS20VSC 5-Inch Random Orbital Sander/Polisher Kit on a blue background