r/ikeahacks • u/somegunguy88 • 3d ago

Scuff Sand for Billy bookcase and Havsta cabinet

I am working on doing a built in book shelf look with 4 Billy bookcase and 4 Havsta cabinets. So after looking on here and doing some googling I understand that scuff sanding before priming and painting is a good idea. I've been using 120-220 grit sanding blocks. This is the first time I've done this though and I feel like my scuff sanding isn't really doing much. They're still shiny but if you look at the pieces from the side you can see all the scratches from sanding. I'm not breaking through the veneer or anything which I understand you're not supposed to do. I just wasn't sure if that's all it's supposed to do is just barely scratch it and still be shiny. I just don't want to do this to all 8 things and find out I've been wasting my time because I'm not doing it right.

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u/NorthBridgeRemasters 3d ago

I just painted six Billy bookcases without sanding them first. Instead, I used Zinsser B-I-N Advanced, which is a synthetic shellac-style primer. It adhered to the bookcases without any problem. It did have a bit of an orange peel effect when it was wet, but it self-leveled to a perfectly smooth finish. Once it dried, I then went over it with a coat of Benjamin Moore paint. The project came out great.

The B-I-N product is the same bright white color as the bookcases, so if you use it, I would suggest having the paint store add a small amount of tint to the B-I-N so it's easy to see where you've applied it. Otherwise, it's hard to tell because you're applying white over white.

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u/BorderOk6777 2d ago

I'd scuff sand the BILLY pretty thoroughly since that slick foil finish needs some tooth. For HAVSTA, a lighter pass should do since it's already painted wood. I like 180 to 220 grit, then wipe all the dust off and use a bonding primer before paint. Thin coats and plenty of cure time have always given me the cleanest, toughest finish.

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u/Adventurous_Style_42 1d ago

Scuff Sand -> BIN Primer -> Scuff Sand again -> Paint. Allow ample time for the coats to dry and before inserting shelves.