Sanding Wood

Cleaning wooden flooring, paneling, or furniture is a tough job. Dusting or mopping these is not enough to give them a good finish. Sanding the wood is important. It not only makes the wood smooth, but also gives it a glaze, making it look new and fresh. Be it wood floors, wood furniture, wood trim, or a wood deck, a good sandpaper is enough to polish it.

Sanding has many advantages apart from giving a smooth surface to the wooden piece. Given here are few of the most important benefits of sanding wood.

• Sanding a wooden trim gives the surface a glaze known as mill glaze, which gives the wood a shiny look.

• It also removes chemical traces from the wood which are present on it as a result of chemical stripping.
• It helps in closing the wood pores by crushing the fibers in the wood.
• It also enhances the bond of non-penetrating finishes by scraping small invisible scratches in the wood.

There are essentially three types of sanding. Here is some brief information about them.

Hand Sanding: This process involves sanding manually, using a sandpaper of the right grit and rubbing or scraping the wood piece with it. Sandpaper is a paper with abrasive material on it. This method is preferred for small and household wood pieces, like wooden furniture. Some people also go for hand scraped wood floors as it gives a distinguished look.

It comes in various types such as palm sander, vibratory sander, disc sander, belt sander, and drum sander. It is used for bigger wood pieces, like sanding wood floors, decks, and pressure-treated wood.

Wet Sanding: This method uses a special sanding sponge that is a little damp, or liquid sandpaper, that needs to be rinsed occasionally. Many people go for wet sanding because it is a cleaner option than the regular process. It reduces the amount of dust that spreads with air and makes the woodworking more neat and clean.

Before you start sanding, decide what you need to sand and what kind of finish or look you desire. Buy sandpaper with different grits including coarse and fine ones, and get information from the shopkeeper about the same. The sandpaper need not be too expensive. Also consider the shape and size that is essential for an easy job.

A harsh sandpaper will remove too much of the surface, so buy one carefully, depending on the stains on the wood. If you want to go for machine sanding, then check if you can get the tools on rent. Start with a coarse grit first and gradually use the finer one to get the expected look.

Sanding wood on your own is inexpensive, but takes lot of efforts, energy, and time. However, hiring a professional can be a bit costly. You can choose the option most suitable for you, but either way, sanding will give an enhanced look to your furniture.