How do you pace your painting projects - slow and steady or all at once?

I hear you on the sanding vs. deglosser debate. I’ve tried to skip sanding a few times, thinking I’d save my arms and lungs, but every time, I end up regretting it. Once, I painted over some old shellac without a good scuff, and six months later, the paint started bubbling like some weird science experiment. Now, even if it means dragging out the project for days, I just accept that slow and steady is the only way my 1920s walls won’t rebel.

Now, even if it means dragging out the project for days, I just accept that slow and steady is the only way my 1920s walls won’t rebel.

Couldn’t agree more. I’ve tried to cut corners on prep work before - never ends well. These old houses have a way of punishing shortcuts. Sanding’s a pain, but nothing compares to scraping off peeling paint six months later. I’d rather spend an extra day up front than redo the whole thing. Sometimes you just have to respect the age of these walls... they’ve seen it all.

I hear you on the prep work. I once tried to rush a living room in a 1915 bungalow - thought I could get away with just a quick wash and slap on some primer. Nope. Six months later, the paint was bubbling like a science experiment gone wrong. Now I treat these old walls like grumpy old men: give them time, show some respect, and they’ll reward you. Sometimes I think they just want to remind us who’s boss...

I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had decent luck with a more streamlined approach - especially on newer drywall. If the surface is sound and you use the right primer, sometimes you can move pretty fast without issues. Old plaster, though, that’s a different beast. Still, I think sometimes we overcomplicate prep when a thorough clean and a good bonding primer will do the trick. Maybe I’ve just been lucky, but I don’t always see the need for marathon prep sessions unless there’s obvious damage.

Old plaster, though, that’s a different beast.

I hear you on the newer drywall - definitely a different story than old plaster. But I’ve seen even “sound” walls bubble up or peel if there’s hidden dust or a bit of leftover joint compound. Ever had that happen? Sometimes I feel like an extra 30 minutes saves me a headache later. Maybe I’m just paranoid from past jobs...