How do you sand in tight spaces and corners?

Sanding in tight spaces and corners can be tricky. The confined area makes it hard to maneuver sandpaper and sanding blocks. However, with the right techniques and tools, you can get into those nooks and crannies to smooth and prepare surfaces.

There are a few key things to keep in mind when sanding in tight spots:

• Use sandpaper folded into a small pad for hand sanding. Fold a piece of sandpaper into a square and grip it to expose just the edges. This creates a small sanding surface that can get into tight spaces.
• Wrap sandpaper around a block or sponge. Cut sandpaper into strips and wrap it around a rubber sanding block or a piece of sponge. This gives you an adaptable sanding tool that morphs into crevices.
• Use sanding sponges. Sponge sanding blocks made of rubber or foam are highly maneuverable for fitting into corners and curved areas. They give good sanding contact.
• Try corner sander attachments. Many power sanders, both electric and air-powered, offer triangular corner sander attachments. These let you sand into corners without gouging the adjacent surfaces.
• Go low speed. When using a power sander in a confined area, always opt for a low speed to control the tool and avoid skipping and gouging the surface.

In the following sections, we’ll explore these techniques and tool options in more detail. We’ll also look at tips for sanding specific tight spots like inside drawers, between balusters, and around pipework.

Hand Sanding Techniques for Tight Spaces

Hand sanding with folded sandpaper or sanding blocks gives you the most control and precision for working in confined areas. Here are some effective hand sanding approaches:

Folded Sandpaper

The simplest solution for sanding in a tight corner is to fold a piece of sandpaper into a compact pad. Here’s how:

1. Cut a piece of sandpaper approximately 4 x 4 inches.
2. Fold it diagonally into a triangle.
3. Then fold it diagonally in the other direction to make a smaller triangle.
4. Finally, fold the two protruding corners back into the middle.

This creates a small sanding pad that fits nicely into your palm, exposing just the abrasive edges of the sandpaper. You can grip it securely and sand in any direction. Focus on keeping the exposed sandpaper edges flush against the surface you’re sanding.

The folded sandpaper distributes the sanding pressure evenly across the edges, helping avoid digging into the surface. Change the sandpaper frequently as the folded edges wear down.

Wrap Around a Block

For a bit more support, wrap strips of sandpaper around a flexible sanding block. Here are two wrapping approaches:

Rubber Sanding Block

Cut sandpaper into 1 x 3 inch strips. Position the strip over the short end of a rubber sanding block. Wrap it tightly around the block, overlapping the ends of the strip by about 1 inch. Secure with clamps or tape if needed. The thin sanding strip lets you sand into tight spaces, with the rubber block providing cushioning and support.

Sponge

Cut wider sandpaper strips, approximately 1 x 5 inches. Wrap the strip around a slightly crumpled piece of household sponge. The crumpled sponge conforms nicely to curved surfaces and squeezes into tight crevices. Keep re-wrapping fresh strips of sandpaper as the edges wear and load up.

Sanding Sponges

In addition to improvised homemade sponges, there are many products made specifically for sanding:

• Rubber sanding blocks – Molded from rubber or foam into a variety of shapes and sizes. The soft flexible material fits tightly into spaces.
• Sponge pads – Backed with velcro to attach sandpaper sheets. Conforms to contours.
• Detail and contour sponges – Small sponges in different shapes made for detail sanding.

These sanding sponges provide 360 degree sanding contact, which is useful for scuffing up rounded surfaces prior to painting. They can reach into inside curves and awkward areas that would be difficult with regular sandpaper or blocks.

Look for sanding sponges with at least a medium grit like 120 for flexibility. Very fine grit sponges, while smooth, quickly clog and stop sanding effectively. Bring an assortment of small and medium sponges for detail sanding tasks.

Power Sanders for Tight Spaces

For tricky areas and corners where hand sanding would be tedious, a power sander can help speed up the process. Use scrap wood to test different attachments and speeds first to ensure you don’t accidentally gouge the surface.

Corner Sander Attachments

Many finish sanders, both electric and pneumatic models, accept corner sander attachments. These have a triangular sanding pad that fits neatly into corners. Models are available with either fixed or oscillating action.

Attach an 80 grit paper for smoothing corner joints in preparation for finish. Or use a fine 120+ grit to lightly scuff surfaces prior to painting or staining. Move the sander with a gentle back and forth action, rather than grinding deeply.

Detail Sanders

Small detail or palm sanders, typically triangle or teardrop shaped, are useful for tight spaces. Look for a model that offers variable speed control. Keep it under 8,000 RPM for best corner and edge sanding performance. Some detail sanders also accept different shaped pads and attachments for increased versatility.

Multi-tool

For intricate sanding jobs in extremely confined spaces, a multi-tool fitted with a sanding pad attachment can be extremely useful. These compact tools allow high precision sanding control. Move deliberately at an optimal speed to avoid gouging.

Tips for Sanding Specific Tight Spots

Now let’s look at techniques for sanding some notoriously tricky tight spaces around the home:

Inside Drawers

Refreshing wooden drawers with new stain or paint requires sanding inside the drawer box and on the faces of the drawer components. Here are some tips:

• Remove drawers from the cabinet to make access easier. Sand the inside of the drawer box by gripping folded sandpaper or a small rubber sanding block.
• For the drawer fronts, sand the inside edges and corners with folded sandpaper. Then use a sanding sponge for the broad interior surfaces.
• Sand drawer runners and stops with both folded paper for the tight spaces and a notebook-sized pad for larger areas.
• Clean surfaces frequently with a vacuum and tack cloth to remove dust.

Between Spindles and Balusters

Sanding stair railings or any other narrow spindles and balusters poses difficulties with access between the uprights. Here are some tactics:

• Wrap strips of sandpaper around a sharpened pencil, dowel, or chopstick to reach into the tight spaces between spindles.
• Use detail sanding sponges to scuff flat areas and contour sanding blocks for rounded profiles.
• Fold sandpaper to hand sand inside corners and intersections.
• Protect adjoining surfaces with painter’s tape and paper to prevent scratching.

Around Pipes and Conduits

Prepping areas with plumbing and conduit for painting requires navigating all the obstructions. Some approaches include:

• Fold sandpaper into slender strips to snake in between pipes and wires.
• Use pencil or chopstick sanding tools to reach behind pipes.
• Wrap sandpaper around a section of threaded pipe or dowel to sand inside pipe openings.
• Select sanding sponges in different small shapes to conform around round and curved surfaces.

Tight Radii

For sanding concave inside curves, cut sandpaper or sponges into narrow strips that can flex with the curve rather than bridge across it. Wider sanding surfaces will want to flatten out rather than conform.

Choosing the Right Sandpaper Grit

Selecting sandpaper grit is a balance of coarse enough to remove material efficiently yet fine enough to leave a smooth finish. Here are some general grit guidelines by project:

Project	Recommended Grit Range
Rough sanding old finishes	60-80
Smoothing between coats	100-120
Fine sanding before final finish	150-220

Aim to use the least coarse grit that allows reasonable sanding progress. Start coarser and gradually step down grits for the final passes. The coarseness needed depends on the specific surface and thickness of material to be removed.

On open surfaces, you can use power sanders and coarser grits like 60-100 to remove material quickly. In tight confined spots, stick to hand sanding with 120 or finer to avoid gouging delicate areas.

Err on the side of using too fine a grit rather than too coarse when sanding in the vicinity of already smooth finished surfaces. Test different grits on scrap or inconspicuous areas first to ensure the desired level of finish.

Sanding Tight Spaces: Safety Tips

Sanding inside confined spaces calls for extra safety precautions:

• Wear eye protection to guard against debris.
• Use a dust mask, especially for dry sanding.
• If power sanding, never completely wrap fingers around the tool.
• Allow adequate ventilation when sanding in an enclosed space.
• Work carefully around electrical wiring, plumbing, HVAC equipment.
• Support workpieces solidly and brace yourself stably.

The limited visibility and tight clearances make it easier for accidents to happen. Keep fingers away from pinches and sharp edges. Go slowly to maintain full control of sanders and abrasives.

Frequently stop to clean up accumulated dust before it clouds your view. Good lighting and ventilation also helps provide sight of the work surface.

Conclusion

While sanding inside tight spaces and corners poses challenges, a few simple techniques makes it manageable:

• Fold sandpaper into small pads for hand sanding flexibility.
• Wrap sandpaper strips around blocks and sponges.
• Use specialty sanding sponges designed for detail work.
• Fit power sanders with corner attachments and use at low speeds.
• Select sandpapers with appropriate grits for the task.
• Take safety precautions when sanding in confined areas.

With practice and the right tools, those out-of-the way areas can be sanded smooth and ready for finishing. Just take your time and work carefully around any obstructions. The end result of a beautifully finished surface is worth the extra effort.