Pro tip: I was sanding my sealer coats for way too long

I was working on a maple dresser last week and the finish felt rough after the third coat. My buddy came by, ran his hand over it, and said 'you're sanding it flat, not just knocking down the nibs.' He showed me how to just lightly scuff with 320 grit for 30 seconds a panel instead of my usual 2 minute scrub. The next coat laid down perfectly smooth. How do you guys handle sanding between coats on hardwoods?

3 comments

3 Comments

margaretm234d ago

Sounds like your buddy saved you from turning that dresser into a chalkboard. Been there, done that, got the arm cramp. You start sanding and just zone out, next thing you know you're back to bare wood. Light touch is the real pro tip, honestly.

joelwells15d ago

Actually gotta sand it pretty good between coats on maple. That grain can raise up a lot. A quick scuff might not cut it.

blakem1315d ago

Yeah, maple's the worst for that. I read a whole thing from a furniture maker who said he uses a damp rag to raise the grain before the first coat, then sands it back down. Does it a couple times. Says it saves him from sanding forever between coats later. Makes sense, you're getting the swelling done with early.