Staining wood can bring
out the natural color, feel and grain of the wood.
Staining can enhance the beauty of old furniture in
the house and give the entire room a new lease of
life. Staining is the last stage that gives the
furniture its new look. Before this is done the
furniture has to be prepared to receive the stain and
this process is called sanding. Though time consuming
it is an essential step in staining. Here are a few
pointers to help you through the sanding process.
Sandpaper is graded depending on the number of
sand granules per square inch of paper. The greater the number the
finder the grade of paper. Smaller grade number, coarser the
sandpaper. This number is usually printed behind the paper. Medium
grade paper is used to remove the existing finish from furniture
and antiques. Fine graded paper is for the last sanding of
furniture just before staining the wood.
For delicate furniture and a fine finish it is best
to use hand sanding. Make sandpaper pieces that are large enough
to hold with three fingers. If you find it more comfortable wrap a
piece of sandpaper around a block of wood that you can hold with
ease. Or you could use a contoured sanding block that is easily
available in the hardware store. This block has grooves at the
ends of the block into which you can inset the sandpaper. Inspect
the surface of the wood to be worked on, you will see pores that
form a pattern, this is the grain of the wood. Sand in the
direction of the grain never against it. Sanding against the grain
will cause scratches that will show up on finished wood especially
after staining.
Place the sanding block horizontally on the surface with the grain
of wood. Hold the block firmly and apply pressure equally as you
move the block too and froe. If you apply more pressure than
needed the block it will cause depressions on the surface. Even
while using the mechanical palm sander, a lightweight-rotating
sander, hold it flat against the surface and evenly apply
pressure.
Before staining the wood dust must be taken off the surface. Use
tack cloth or cheesecloth made for removing dust. Once one side of
the cloth gets dusty, refold and use fresh side of cloth. To
prevent tack cloths from drying store them in plastic bags that
can be sealed. As you will be working with wood dust use a sanding
particle mask to prevent inhalation of dust.
