
Some sources state that TSP can be used as a deglosser but I disagree. IS TSP (TRI-SODIUM PHOSPHATE) A GOOD SUBSTITUDE? You still will need regular sandpaper to remove any irregularities. It cannot make the surface smoother, it just removes the gloss from painted wood. Liquid sandpaper doesn't work like standard sandpaper. The moisture in the solution causes the board to swell. Liquid sandpaper can only be used on smooth surfaces and should not be used on engineered wood such as particle board and aspanite (OSB board). Liquid sandpaper is ideal for removing paint from ornate objects that have grooves and intricate designs. Deglossers are basically a weak version of paint stripper and work by softening the paint. Liquid sandpaper is also referred to as deglosser and wet sanding. It can not be used to smooth the surface like regular sandpaper. Unlike regular sandpaper, it just removes the gloss and dulls the surface so there is a good bond between the old and new paint. It is a chemical mixture, strong solvents like naphtha, ethyl acetate and ethyl alcohol that removes the glossy layer from the old paint. The name "liquid sandpaper" is a bit misleading because it is not sandpaper.

Is trisodium phosphate (TSP) a good substitute? This product is also known as liquid sander and, more commonly, a deglosser. To remove the gloss we can use a liquid sandpaper or standard sandpaper.

By removing the gloss we create a coarse and rough surface necessary for a new coat of paint to bond. In order to make the paint stick to old glossy paint it is necessary to remove the outer layer of gloss from a previous painted surface, such as trim, baseboards and doors. New paint will not bond to a glossy surface, no matter how clean it is.
