Prepping wood for finishing

I just wanted to post about what I've been using to prepare wood before applying a finish. I've used this on maple gunstocks and achieved a deep mirror finish - not at all plastic. It's called 'raising the grain'.

Regardless of how smooth you've sanded wood, wood fibers have been mashed down during sanding. To really get the finish smooth, these fibers need to be raised and cut off. This is done with water or alcohol. Alcohol dries faster, but I feel that water does a better job.

After sanding to your desired grit (I go to 600), apply water to the wood and let it dry. I apply water by wetting my hand and rubbing the wood. This will expand and 'raise' the mashed fibers and the wood will feel very rough. Sand the wood again with the same finish grit and reapply water. As you continue to do this, you'll find the wood getting smoother after each wetting. Usually 3-4 wetting/sanding cycles is good.

If you've been going directly from final sanding to finishing, I think you'll find this extra step will really improve the final finish.

Tom

Sounds good to me, I'll be sure to give this one a go on my next project.

Usually once I'm done sanding I'll go very lightly over the wood with a moist rag, just to remove any sawdust or particles that are on it. I doubt the moistness of what I've been doing has been enough to significantly raise the grain; it's more just not-dry, than wet.

PS - I use a hair dryer to speed the drying process when using water.

I am removing all material that Lerch may find offensive or construe as a personal attack... bye bye, now...

Thanks Tom but you know now that you mention all of this I seem to remember my shop teacher in high school mentioning this. I am going to try this on my next creation. Thanks again.

Very good info, Tom. I've used this for years on knife handles. I wish I'd thought to post it before you (it woulda boosted my credibility ) :D Guys, Tom just gave you perfect advice...follow it for the best finish possible.

My dad told me the same trick years ago. It works great. I think I have mentioned this to one of our members, but never post it here...


Nenad