basic painting question

StinkerPinker

So you've painted a wall with silk emulsion using a roller, and it leaves a slightly textured finish - kind of little bumps all over the surface.

Now years later you want to repaint, again using silk emulsion and a roller. Do you need to flatten the bumps somehow first, as part of the prep? Using an orbital sander or something?

Or is that being silly?

Thanks,
Stinker.

Tom99

You can give it a light rub over if you want to but you will probably find a second coat will be no more bumpy that the first. Just make sure you keep rollering until all the paint is off the roller.

chappers

it won't be any worse but if you want a flatter surface then yes sand of and use a finer pile roller next time

robatwork

If you want a flatter surface paint it with a brush or paint pads. If you go with a roller then just a light key with sandpaper & good rinse. It will still be bumpy of course.

StinkerPinker

Tom99; chappers; robatwork - thank you for your kind replies.

I think maybe I'll use a finer pile roller after some flattening, though it's a large wall area - downstairs entrance area, stairwell and upper landing. I'll see how easy or hard the flattening process is before a final decision.

Again, thank you.
Stinker.

trailingspouse

I really wouldn't bother to flatten it. Life's too short.

StinkerPinker

trailngspouse - LOL: you're not wrong there!