Removing and Sanding Out Swirl Marks in Wood Counter Tops

Possible Causes of Swirl Marks

• Orbital sanders remove layers of wood with abrasives that move in a circular pattern, creating circular scratches in the surface. Random orbital sanders create less visible scratches by overlapping the areas as you sand, effectively blending the marks to create a smooth appearance. When you go over the counter top with either type of sander, moving the equipment too quickly will create swirl marks. The pad on the sander may contribute to swirls in the wood. A thin pad can cause the abrasives to sand unevenly and result in swirl marks.

Sanding Abrasives

• When you use an orbital sander, the grit on the abrasive sheet must be uniform and sharp. Using high-quality abrasives can help prevent problems while sanding. Some less expensive abrasives have rounded edges that can cause an uneven application, resulting in swirl marks in a wood counter top. Additionally, using the wrong grit can contribute to swirl marks in the wood. Generally, you should begin with a coarse 180-grit abrasive in your sander then work up to a fine 220-grit abrasive to help prevent obvious swirl marks in the wood.

Removing the Swirls

• Hand-sanding the wood counter top will remove the swirls left by an orbital sander. The process is long and tedious but worth the effort if you want all those marks gone before you stain the wood. Begin with medium 150-grit sandpaper and hand-sand the entire surface. Gradually work up to a fine-grit sandpaper and finish the surface with 220-grit sandpaper.

Other Considerations

• Using a vacuum sander helps prevent dust and grit from building up on the abrasives. These types of sanders come with a vacuum hose attachment that takes care of the dust as you sand. Additionally, refrain from pushing down too hard on the sander. If you apply too much pressure, it can lead to an uneven distribution of the sanding abrasive, creating lines or swirls in the wood.