How to Sand Furniture
Sanding furniture is the first important step to refinishing furniture. This process can’t be rushed. Sanding furniture must be done carefully and always with the grain. It is a demanding technique that requires patience and time.
The first rule to sanding is to work with the grain of the wood. Cross-grain sanding can leave permanent and obvious scratches. The second thing is to make sure that you use a sanding block. By using a sanding block this will allow you to exert even sanding pressure.
When sanding flat surfaces, the block should be padded. Using an unpadded block has no give, and particles caught under the sandpaper can scratch the wood as you work. If unsure of what to get go to your local Home Depot or Lowe’s and have someone help you to determine what you need. For curved pieces of furniture try using a thick piece of foam padding or sponge covered with sandpaper. The padding will shape itself to the curves allowing for firm, even pressure.
When sanding you need to apply good sanding techniques. If you are using a sanding block, then you need to sand in long, light, even strokes along the grain of the wood. Make sure you do not press hard; too much pressure can cause gauging at the edge of the sanding block. You need to change out your sandpaper as soon as it clogs or becomes smooth.
When it comes to smoothing wood evenly and thoroughly, work with finer grades of sandpaper. There may be a slight roughness after the first sanding, but it will be removed during the next sanding. The final sanding that you will do will remove the last traces of roughness. For most woods course-grit sandpaper with a grade of 3/0 will work. Soft woods such as pine or poplar will need a grade of 4/0. You will need to work up to higher grades like 4/0, 5/0, and last 6/0 sandpaper. Finer paper would produce a smoother service. Sanding with to fine of a paper can cause the wood to clog and interfere with finishing.
It’s important to sand the entire piece of furniture with each grade of sandpaper before moving to the next grade of sandpaper. In between each sanding make sure you clean the debris by brushing or vacuuming it up. Next wipe the wood clean with a tack cloth.
If your furniture has crevices or curved edges, then you need a strip of sandpaper. Crease the sandpaper to fit into the angle of the crevice. Sand along the crevice only, using slow strokes; keeping the pressure even.
If the piece of furniture that you are working on is veneered, then you must treat it very carefully. The usual sanding techniques used for other wood can cause serious damage to veneered wood. The same is true for wood with a fine patina. Normal sanding will remove the patina. When sanding wood that is veneer or has a fine patina, they should be sanded very gently.
Sandpaper grades of 5/0 and 6/0 should be used to smooth sturdy whole-surface veneer furniture. You do not want to use coarse grades. Use steel wool on thin veneers and wood with a patina. You use basically the same technique as for sanding. Again this will also require a lot of patience, as this is time consuming.
You will want to start with a No.0 steel wool if the surface is rough. Work up to No.s 00 and 000 for the final smoothing. If the surface you are working with is already smooth, then use the finer grades of wool. Again just like with normal sanding, brush or vacuum up the dust and steel. Wipe clean with a tack cloth.
These are just some simple steps and techniques used for sanding furniture. Understand that if you are new to doing this to take your time and do not rush. It is time consuming and takes patience to get the job done. Be willing to give your all to it and in the end you will have a beautiful, smooth piece of furniture
