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To find out what was used on your walls before you all you need to do is take some rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball rub it on the paint and if it removes paint you are saf that latex paint is on your wall. If no poaint comes offit is oil paint that is on your wal and you will need to buy a primer that will go on top of oil and still allow you to put latex on top. They are out there because I have done that and no sanding is required.
I'll give my DH the sanding jobs with promises of beer while I paint. That should make us both happy, with great looking walls to boot.
sand then wash/tsp, as this will remove any sanding residue (otherwise finish, and your paint stock if you paint direct out of the can, may end up gritty)
if wall is particularly greasy with existing gloss paint (kitchen above stove), I would tsp first, then light sand, then lightly tsp again
for drywall/wood moulding prep, 120 grit paper is fine....
if existing paint is flat/eggshell/satin and good condition, you can skip the sanding
for a real super smooth finish (doors/mouldings that will be painted glossy), you can do a very light sanding with 180-220 grit between coats, catches any little bumps/drips that would otherwise add up
also check up paint tips on most paint manufacturer websites
an important (the most?) part of a good paint job is prep/cleaning, boring and annoying but makes a big difference in the end, esp. on surfaces that will be seen up close, doors/frames, railings/banisters, built-ins, etc...
Should I do the sanding before I wash them with tsp or does it matter and what no. paper should I use.
also indicated on very glossy surfaces (trim/doors) to break the perfectly smooth surface and give the primer or paint something to mechanically bind to...
if it's eggshell/satin (without paint blobs/drips), as mdesign indicated there is no need to sand
I was under the impression that sanding them would adhere the paint better. Your advice makes more sense. Thanks for your help mdesign.
you need to sand unless the walls are rough, damaged, and need to be patched... washing with the tsp removes any grease or dirt.
Are the walls in pretty good shape?
The walls appear to be smooth. If so at what stage do I do that?
BM Fresh Start with good results -- wash walls with TSP solution first.