BEFORE YOU PAINT: A SIMPLE 10-STEP SANDING GUIDE FOR DIYERS

BENCH DURING SANDING

ESTIMATED READ TIME: 5 MINUTES

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Steps how to sand your bench.

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Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

Got a garden bench that’s looking a little rough?

Whether it’s old and weathered or brand new and unfinished, sanding is the first step to giving it a fresh start.

In this post, I’ll show you how to sand your bench the easy wasy form picking the right sandpaper to getting a smooth finish that’s ready for paint or stain.

Let’s get started and turn that bench into something beautiful!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

BENCH
TARP (OPTIONAL)
NEWSPAPER (OPTIONAL)
HAND SANDER
SANDPAPER
SANDING BLOCK
SOFT CLOTH
SOFT BRUSH
DAMP CLOTH
TOOTHPICK (OPTIONAL)
VACUUM CLEANER (OPTIONAL)

WHAT WE’LL COVER

DO YOU WANT TO SUPPORT WILD WEST SUCCULENTS IN A SIMPLE WAY
INTRODUCTION
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
WHAT WE’LL COVER
STEP ONE: PREPARATION OF BENCH
STEP TWO: SECURE THE WORKPIECE
STEP THREE: ORBITAL SANDER VS. HAND SANDING
STEP FOUR: DEALING WITH ROUNDED SURFACES
STEP FIVE: TECHNIQUE
STEP SIX: PROGRESSIVE SANDING
STEP SEVEN: DUST REMOVAL
STEP EIGHT: DRYING
STEP NINE: FINAL INSPECTION
STEP TEN: FINAL PREP FOR FINISHING OR PAINTING
ADDITIONAL HELPFUL HINTS
CONCLUSION
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STEP ONE: PREPARATION OF BENCH

START BY ENSURING YOU HAVE THE APPROPRIATE GRIT SANDPAPER FOR THE JOB
MOVE YOUR BENCH TO A TARP OR ON NEWSPAPER
FOR INITIAL SANDING, 80-GRIT IS A GOOD CHOICE
YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO HAVE HIGHER GRIT SANDPAPERS (E.G., 120-GRIT AND 220-GRIT) FOR FINER FINISHING

STEP TWO: SECURE THE WORKPIECE

BEFORE SANDING, MAKE SURE THE BENCH IS SECURELY POSITIONED TO PREVENT IT FROM MOVING WHILE YOU WORK ON IT
THIS CAN BE DONE BY GENTLY PLACING YOUR BENCH ON ITS BACK

STEP THREE: ORBITAL SANDER VS. HAND SANDING

YOU CAN USE A ORBITAL SANDER, WHICH HELPS SPEED UP THE PROCESS, OR YOU CAN SAND BY HAND IF YOU PREFER MORE CONTROL
IF YOU DECIDE TO USE A ORBITAL SANDER, I RECOMMEND USING A SANDER WITH A DUST COLLECTION BAG
IF YOU CHOOSE MANUAL SANDING, WRAP A PIECE OF SANDPAPER AROUND A SANDING BLOCK OR A PIECE OF WOOD
THIS WILL HELP ENSURE EVEN PRESSURE AND PREVENT UNEVEN SANDING
EITHER WAY, MAKE SURE TO WEAR A MASK AND EYE PROTECTION WHEN YOU ARE SANDING
EVEN IF YOU ARE USING A SANDER WITH A DUST COLLECTION BAG, MAKE SURE TO STILL WEAR BOTH A MASK AND EYE PROTECTION

STEP FOUR: DEALING WITH ROUNDED SURFACES

FOR ROUNDED SURFACES LIKE CHAIR ARMS OR LEGS, YOU CAN USE A WOODEN DOWEL WITH SANDPAPER WRAPPED THE DOWEL
THIS METHOD ALLOWS YOU TO MAINTAIN THE CONTOUR OF THE ROUNDED SURFACE WHILE SANDING

STEP FIVE: TECHNIQUE

WHEN SANDING, MOVE THE SANDPAPER OR SANDER IN THE DIRECTION OF THE WOOD GRAIN
THIS PREVENTS UNNECESSARY SCRATCHES AND GOUGES

STEP SIX: PROGRESSIVE SANDING

START WITH THE 80-GRIT SANDPAPER TO REMOVE ANY OLD FINISH OR ROUGH SURFACES
AFTERWARD, MOVE TO HIGHER GRITS (E.G., 120-GRITS AND 220-GRIT) FOR A SMOOTHER FINISH

STEP SEVEN: DUST REMOVAL

AFTER SANDING, USE A DAMP CLOTH OR TACK CLOTH TO REMOVE DUST AND DEBRIS FROM THE SURFACE
THIS ENSURES THAT THE FINISH ADHERES PROPERLY

STEP EIGHT: DRYING

ALLOW THE WOOD TO DRY OVERNIGHT
THIS STEP IS CRUCIAL BEFORE MOVING ON TO ANY PAINTING OR STAINING

STEP NINE: FINAL INSPECTION

ONCE THE SANDING IS COMPLETE AND THE BENCH IS DRY, TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO INSPECT THE SURFACE
RUN YOUR HAND OVER IT TO CHECK FOR ANY ROUGH SPOTS OR MISSED AREAS
CHECK ESPECIALLY AROUND JOINTS, CORNERS, AND DECORATIVE EDGES
IF NEEDED, DO A LIGHT TOUCH-UP WITH FINE-GRIT SANDPAPER

STEP TEN: FINAL PREP FOR FINISHING OR PAINTING

NOW THAT YOUR BENCH IS SANDED AND SMOOTH, IT’S TIME TO PREP IT FOR PAINT, STAIN, OR SEALANT
USE A TACK CLOTH OR CLEAN MICROFIBER RAG TO REMOVE ANY FINAL DUST
MAKE SURE TEH BENCH IS IN A CLEAN, DRY, SPACE WITH GOOD VENTILATION BEFORE YOU BEGIN FINISHING
THIS STEP HELPS ENSURE A BEAUTIFUL EVEN COAT OF PAINT OR FINISH

ADDITIONAL HELPFUL HINTS

FOR CURVED AREAS, TRY A FLEXIBLE SANDING TOOLS
FOAM SANDING PAD OR FINE STEEL WOOL WORKS GREAT ON CARVED OR ROUNDED EDGES
CHECK FOR LOOSE SCREWS, NAILS, OR DOWLS BEFORE SANDING
WIPE DUST OFF OFTEN
TAKE YOUR TIME
DON’T FORGET THE UNDERSIDE OF YOUR BENCH
USE A VACUUM CLEANER AND TOOTHPICK TO REMOVE ALL DUST IN CREVICES

CONCLUSION

Sanding your bench might take a little time, but the results are worth it.

A smooth surface not only looks better it helps your paint or stain last longer too.

Whether you’re getting ready to decorate, seal, or simply enjoy your bench as-is, now it’s prepped and ready for whatever comes next.

Happy sanding!

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