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

Do you usually sand between coats, or just touch up as you go? I always debate if it’s worth the extra dust...

I usually do a light sanding between coats, especially with those low-VOC paints - they really highlight imperfections. It’s a bit of a hassle with the dust, but I find the finish ends up smoother. Sometimes I’ll just spot-sand if I notice obvious bumps. A quick vacuum after helps keep things tidy, though I admit it slows me down compared to just touching up as I go.

Sometimes I’ll just spot-sand if I notice obvious bumps.

I get what you mean about the dust - it’s a pain, but I’ve found that skipping sanding between coats can really come back to haunt you. Once, I rushed through a bedroom repaint thinking “eh, it’ll be fine,” and every little roller mark showed up in the morning light. Since then, I do a quick pass with a sanding sponge after each coat. It takes longer, but the finish is way more satisfying. That said, if I’m just doing a closet or something less visible, I’ll sometimes just spot-sand like you mentioned.

- Totally get the urge to skip steps, especially when you just want the job done.
- That said, your point about the finish is spot on - those little imperfections always seem to pop up later, usually when you least want them to.
- I’ve found a quick sand between coats with a fine grit sponge keeps things smooth without making a huge mess.
- For low-traffic spots like closets, I’ll admit I don’t go all out either... sometimes “good enough” really is good enough.
- It’s all about picking your battles and not burning out halfway through the project.

I can relate to the temptation to cut corners, especially when you’re juggling multiple units or projects at once. That said, I’ve learned the hard way that skipping prep or rushing the finish can end up costing more in the long run - either in touch-ups or tenant complaints. Like you mentioned,

“those little imperfections always seem to pop up later, usually when you least want them to.”

I do think there’s a balance, though. For high-visibility areas - living rooms, kitchens - I’m pretty meticulous. But for closets or utility rooms, I’ll sometimes just focus on coverage and call it a day. One thing I’ve started doing is using a pole sander for bigger walls; it speeds things up without sacrificing too much quality.

Curious if anyone else has noticed that certain paint brands are more forgiving with minor prep lapses? I’ve had mixed results, but maybe that’s just me being picky. Either way, pacing really does come down to knowing where quality matters most and where you can save time without regretting it later.

I totally get what you mean about closets and utility rooms - my first time painting a closet, I was way too careful and realized halfway through that nobody’s ever going to notice if the corners aren’t perfect. I’ve noticed Behr covers up my “oops” moments better than Valspar, but maybe that’s just me. Still, I can’t help but obsess over the living room walls... it’s like they’re judging me every time I walk by.