What grit do you sand to before finishing? - Woodworking Talk

mdeiley · 08-07-2007, 08:20 PM

I was wondering how fine most of you would sand raw wood to apply stain and finish. I am building the 3 in 1 crib, toddler, full bed out of cherry. I am just about ready to stain and finish. I have a flooring business and we typically sand hardwood to about 100 grit. I have sanded the bed parts to 120 and they look great. However I am staing kind of dark (Minwax red mohagany) I want to be sure no scrathes show through. Also I will apply 3 coats polyurathane with a scotch brite sand between coats. I look forward to hearing any and all responses. Is scrapping better then sanding? Does anyone wet with water first to remove small grain? Again i thank you all in advance for sharing your tips.

MD

Big Dave · 08-07-2007, 09:04 PM

Well I'm in the flooring business too and I sand to 100 but for furniture peices I'm pretty sure you need to go to about a 220 grit.

I'm curious what others say.

MinConst · 08-07-2007, 10:07 PM

In you instance I would go to 220. When I am going to spray Lacquer I only sand to 150 or so it allows the sealers to penetrate better. I find sanding between coats of clear a better alternative. But your staining so git it fairly smooth first.

**Daren** · 08-08-2007, 07:02 AM

I use alot of figured hardwood, I have to go to 400 to make it "pop". I use different finishes than most. Tung oil, Danish wax...I have to sand the wood smooth because the finish does not get sanded.
220 on stuff like cedar chests.

edp · 08-08-2007, 07:19 AM

For stained and sealed projects, 120 grit is as fine as I go. For any oil finishes, 220 grit.

Ed

mdeiley · 08-14-2007, 11:05 AM

I thank you all for your responses. I think the project has turned out quite well. I will post a picture if I can figure that part out.