When sanding wood, using the right grit sandpaper is crucial for getting a smooth finish. The grit of sandpaper refers to the size of the abrasive particles on the paper. Lower grit sandpapers like 60 or 80 are very coarse, while higher grits like 200 or 220 are fine. For sanding wood edges, you’ll need to do some coarse sanding first and then switch to finer grits to polish it to a smooth finish. Here’s a more detailed look at choosing grits when sanding wood edges.
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Coarse Sanding
You’ll want to start sanding wood edges with a relatively coarse 80-100 grit sandpaper. This will help level out any major irregularities, defects, or high spots on the edge of the wood quickly. Coarse sandpaper grits in the range of 60-100 are great for doing the initial “dirty work” of rough shaping an edge and removing large amounts of material efficiently.
Some tips for effective coarse sanding of edges:
- Always sand in the same direction as the wood grain – this prevents creating deep scratches that go against the grain.
- Use a sanding block for ease of use and keeping the edge straight.
- Apply medium pressure and check the edge frequently to see if it is flattened and any defects have been removed.
You’ll know the coarse sanding is complete once the edge is mostly even and uniform without any major problem areas. Stop when the edge is roughly 80-90% of the smoothness you want the final finish to be. Move on to finer sandpapers next.
Medium Sanding
Once the edge has been coarsely sanded, you can switch to a medium 120-150 grit sandpaper. This will smooth out more of the deeper scratches left behind by the coarser paper. The medium grits remove material less aggressively.
Tips for effective medium sanding:
- Use slightly lighter pressure and sand in the direction of the wood grain.
- Fold the sandpaper into a square shape to flatten the edge and corners.
- Check progress frequently, sanding evenly until scratches from coarser paper are diminished.
- Edges should feel much smoother and 90-95% of desired smoothness.
Take your time with medium grits to remove all of the deeper marks from coarse sanding. The edge does not need to be perfect yet, but you want to remove obvious scratch patterns. A sanding block helps maintain a flat surface.
Fine Sanding
For the final smoothing, switch to fine sandpaper in the range of 180-220 grit. Fine sanding with these higher grits polishes the wood edge to a smooth, finished look and feel. At this stage light pressure is imperative as you are just removing the finest of scratches and not attempting to flatten or shape the edge anymore.
Helpful fine sanding techniques:
- Use very light pressure in the direction of the wood grain.
- Fold sandpaper into shapes to sand rounded edges smoothly.
- Rub diagonally across any remaining scratches until they disappear.
- Visually inspect to make sure sanding pattern is not visible anymore.
Take the time to thoroughly fine sand until the desired smoothness is reached. The edge should now have a uniform smoothness from end to end without any visible scratch marks when closely inspected.
Choosing Sandpaper Grits
As a quick recap, here are some general recommendations on grit sequences when sanding wood edges:
| Sanding Stage | Grit Range |
|---|---|
| Coarse Sanding | 60-100 |
| Medium Sanding | 120-150 |
| Fine Sanding | 180-220 |
Start with a coarser 60-80 grit if the edge has significant flaws that need removal. Then work up to higher grits in sequence until the desired smoothness is attained. Ensure to thoroughly sand with each progressive grit to eliminate scratch patterns before moving upwards.
It’s also generally a good idea to have a selection of 2-3 grits in each range. For example coarse could be 80, 100, 120. Having overlapping grits allows you more flexibility to find the right level of cut and smoothness.
Sandpaper Types
In addition to grit size, sandpaper itself comes in different materials and backings. Common options include:
- Aluminum oxide – General purpose sandpaper, usually has waterproof resin bonding.
- Silicon carbide – More aggressive cutting, best for metals and exotic woods.
- Garnet – Used often in woodworking, relatively fine crystals.
- Emery cloth – Coated flannel backing, used for curved profiles.
For best results sanding wood edges, aluminum oxide or garnet abrasives are a good choice. Silicon carbide is a bit more aggressive. Backings also make a difference – stearated paper resists clogging while cloth backings work well on contours.
Sanding Technique
Having the right sandpaper grit and type is important, but proper sanding technique also makes a huge difference:
- Always sand in the direction of the wood grain.
- Use a sanding block for flat edges.
- Fold sandpaper to wrap profiles.
- Check frequently for remaining scratches.
- Smooth edges uniformly and avoid concentrating in one area.
- Thoroughly sand with each grit before progressing.
- Apply appropriate pressure – heavier initially then lighter.
- Keep the sandpaper clean and unclogged for best results.
Patience and diligence in sanding will help you achieve that smooth sanded finish on wood edges. Taking the time to do each grit thoroughly before moving to the next will save effort and prevent deeper scratches from forming.
Sanding Aids
There are also some helpful tools that can improve results when sanding wood edges:
- Sanding blocks – Helps sand flat edges squarely.
- Contoured sanding grips – Fits profiles for smooth shaping.
- Sanding mops – Flexible for moldings and curves.
- Detail and edge sanders – Electric sanders get into tight spots.
- Sanding sponges – Cushioned abrasive for contours.
Leveraging these sanding aids helps ensure even pressure across the wood’s edge for the most consistent sanding results. They allow you to properly sand all edges, including profiles and hard to reach spots.
Getting a Smooth Sanded Edge
Following proper sanding techniques and grit sequences is the key to achieving that ultra-smooth sanded look on wood edges. Here are some final tips for getting great results:
- Thoroughly remove all scratches and defects with 60-100 grit first.
- Progress through multiple grits up to 220, sanding well each step.
- Always go with the wood grain for minimal scratching.
- Remove all sanding dust before moving to finer grits.
- Check closely for any remaining scratch marks or unevenness.
- Take your time and sand patiently until perfectly smooth.
With the right combination of sandpaper grit, tools, and technique, you can achieve expertly sanded wood edges ready for stain, paint, or finish. Pay attention to using the optimal grit sequence and sanding each step completely. Your patience will be rewarded with beautiful, blemish-free wood edges.
Sanding Tips by Wood Type
The optimal sanding approach also depends some on the type of wood you are working with:
Softwoods
Softwoods like pine, cedar and redwood have more open grains so sanding scratches show up more easily. Use a finer grit sequence starting at 100 or 120 grit. Softer woods also fuzz up when sanded so keep sandpaper cleaner.
Hardwoods
Harder woods like oak, maple and mahogany have a tighter grain so can be sanded more aggressively. Start sanding around 80 grit. The dense grain helps hide sanding scratches better.
Exotic Woods
Exotic woods like teak, rosewood, and ebony vary quite a bit in properties. Dense exotic woods can be sanded at 80 grit initially like other hardwoods. Softer types may require finer grits. Exotics splinter easily so avoid scratching against the grain.
Reclaimed Wood
Reclaimed wood is challenging to sand because it is often uneven and may contain nails, stains or other defects. Scrub with 60-80 grit to flatten, then sand up to 180 grit carefully to smooth but maintain some of the vintage character.
Plywood
Plywood can fuzz up quickly when sanded due to soft veneers. Start sanding with 120-150 grit. Watch for splintering at the ply edges. Use fine 220+ grit to finish smoothest.
Sanding Dust Precautions
One maintenance tip – be sure to clean sanding dust after working. Some important precautions include:
- Wear a dust mask and eye protection when sanding.
- Work in a well-ventilated area to disperse fine particles.
- Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to contain dust.
- Wet sanding helps reduce airborne dust but raises the grain.
- Wipe surfaces frequently to prevent dust buildup while sanding.
- Clean tools and work area thoroughly after finishing.
Paying attention to sanding dust will help ensure you work cleanly and safely. Adding moisture, containment or ventilation can help control fine particulate matter. And be diligent about cleaning up when done.
Achieving the Perfect Sanded Edge
Sanding wood edges takes patience and care, but yields beautiful results. Follow these best practices to achieve perfectly sanded edges ready for your finish of choice:
- Select the appropriate sandpaper grits for each sanding stage.
- Always sand with the wood grain to minimize scratching.
- Use sanding aids like blocks and sponges for best control.
- Work through multiple grits in sequence for incremental smoothing.
- Thoroughly sand each grit before moving to the next.
- Check closely for remaining scratches or uneven areas.
- Adjust technique slightly for different wood types.
- Maintain cleanliness when sanding to control dust.
With the right combination of grit progression, tools, techniques and patience, you can achieve perfectly smooth, attractive edges on wooden surfaces. Just remember to start coarser, sand methodically through finer grits, and thoroughly remove all sanding marks before finishing. Your diligent sanding will really pay off with superior results.
Conclusion
Sanding wood edges takes finesse, strategy and grit. Following the recommendations in this article will set you up for success. Start coarsely with 60-100 to remove defects, then sand in gradual steps up to 220 grit for the smoothest finish. Always go with the wood grain, check frequently for scratches, and thoroughly sand each grit before advancing. The right tools, wood-specific adaptations and dust precautions also improve results. With practice and patience, beautifully smooth sanded edges are within your reach.