Sandpaper is a necessary tool in many trades. Using sandpaper appropriately will give you a polished, smooth surface that is ready for paint or stain, while incorrect usage may scratch your wood. Choosing the proper sanding pads online for your project and learning how to sand down surfaces correctly will result in stunning completed works.

Sanding by Hand

1) For greater and speedier outcomes, use a sanding block. A sanding block is a piece of cut-out foam, a wooden block, or a cork block on which you wrap your sandpaper. It’s possible to make one out of anything – maybe even cardboard! Begin by folding your sandpaper around your sanding block, with the abrasive side out. If you don’t want to make your own, check at your local hardware store for a sanding block.

2) To get started, use your coarse-grade sandpaper to remove any obvious flaws. This will be the rough-grade sandpaper you bought. Unless it’s required, don’t use really fine-grit sandpaper on your surface.

A greater number of degrees in sandpaper is required to remove fine scratches. For example, it would be ineffective to sand a smooth surface with 40-grit (very rough) sandpaper. You may start with 80-grit sandpaper in this case. Save the coarsest sandpaper for surfaces with big gouges and bumps.

3) Sanding is a little more complicated than it sounds. To sand, hold your sandpaper on the surface you want to sand. Apply pressure with your hand to the sandpaper or sanding block. If you’re standing up, put your weight into your hand that’s holding the sandpaper. For added pressure, use both hands.

4) Using the appropriate pressure, run the sandpaper over the surface in a few passes. If you’re sanding wood, be sure to sand with and not against the grain. The lines and patterns that run through timber are known as its grain.

If you sand a wooden desk and the grain runs from the front to back, for example, you’ll need to switch the sandpaper from one side of the desk to the other. Sanding in circular directions or against the grain will result in needless scratches on your wood.

5) Sandpaper should be moved in a straight line. You may get a breather if you need one by moving the sandpaper back and forth in a straight motion. Keep applying pressure to the sandpaper with your hands, and don’t raise it up unless you need to stop. Make your journey across the whole surface you’re sanding a step at a time. You should notice plenty of dust accumulating as you move across the surface. Don’t forget to sand the edges as well. When you’ve reached the limits of the area you’re working on, stop and give it a good going over with fine sandpaper.

6) When you’re done, vacuum out the dust. If you see scratches or flaws in the surface you’re sanding, don’t worry. You’ll smooth them out later with finer-grade sandpapers.

7) Go on to medium-grade sandpaper. If you’re using a sanding block, attach the paper to it. Repeat steps 4 through 6 one more time. Make sure that all of the surfaces you’re working on, including those around the edges, are properly sanded.

8) Finish sanding with the finest grade of sandpaper. Your surface should be flawless, with no scratches or dents. If you notice any scratches after using coarse-grade sandpaper, start over by starting with a finer one.