Sanding Wood
Choosing the Proper Grit Size
Perhaps the most confusing - and frustrating - part of sanding is choosing the correct grit size for your paper. Sandpaper comes in various grits, based on the number of sand particles per square inch. Take the guesswork out of choosing grit size by following this general rule of thumb: a low number = coarse paper and a high number = fine paper. Always start with the smallest number and work your way up for the best results.
The lowest grit sizes range from 40 to 60. This ultra-coarse paper is ideal for big, deep sanding projects with a lot of surface roughness.
Medium grit sandpaper ranges from 80 to 120 abrasives per square inch. This workhorse paper is perfect for shaping or removing a lot of material at a quick pace.
Fine paper begins at 150 grit and ends at 180 grit. This paper begins the finishing process by beginning to buff out the deep swirls and sanding marks left by the coarser papers.
Very fine, 220 to 240 grit, and extra fine, 280 to 320 grit, are the finishing pros. With these papers in hand, it is easy to get the smooth, silky finish you desire.
Honing Your Sanding Technique
Now that you have chosen the proper grit size for your project, perfect your technique for the best results. Move your paper in the direction of the wood grain; going against the grain takes off a lot more debris at a time, yet you risk marring the appearance of your piece.
Do not be afraid to move back and forth between papers when the need dictates. As mentioned before, begin your sanding process with coarse grit and work your way up to the finest paper. If you switch too soon, you won't be able to sand nicks or blemishes out, and you will use more paper than necessary. Rather than working yourself to exhaustion, move back down to a coarser piece of sandpaper and let the grit do the work, then work your way back up to finer paper.
Another aspect of the skill-honing equation is checking and rechecking your work. Use your hands - feel your work. Run your fingertips and palm along the surface of the wood. Your fingers may pick up on roughness, pulls, or other imperfections that are invisible to the naked eye.
