How to Clean & Sand a Wood Finish

The finish on a piece of wood furniture helps to determine the character of the piece. You can change the look of your wood furniture by changing the finish. The first step in doing this is cleaning and sanding the old finish so that a new coat of paint or stain can adhere to the furniture. Use the same methods when you're refinishing or painting other wood surfaces, like wood trim.

Mild household cleaner
Water
Bucket
Clean rags
Sandpaper block
Medium-grade sandpaper -- 100 to 120 grit
Fine-grade sandpaper -- 160 to 220 grit
Tack cloth

Instructions

- 1
  Mix a solution of water and mild household cleaner in a bucket. Use a proportion of 1 cup cleaner to 1 gallon water. Dip a rag into the bucket and wring out excess water. Go over the wood to remove any loose dirt, and then wipe the wood with a rag rinsed in clear water. Allow the wood to dry.
- 2
  Wrap a piece of 100-grit sandpaper around a sanding block. Sand the wood with smooth, even strokes. Stop every few minutes to wipe away dust from the sanding with a damp rag.
- 3
  Wipe the wood with a tack cloth. Wrap a piece of 120-grit sandpaper around a sanding block. Sand the wood with smooth, even strokes. Stop every few minutes to wipe away dust with a damp rag. Stop when the wood has been uniformly sanded.

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