How to Sand a Clear Coat Without Sanding the Paint

Sanding clear-coat finishes such as polyurethane or lacquer requires care to avoid ruining the overall finish. Using the correct type of sanding media and technique will help you to achieve an ideal finish on your woodworking project. Even the finest-grit sandpaper can rub through a clear finish without the proper care during the sanding process. Therefore, it is important to have a great deal of attention to detail. A clear-coat finish consists typically of two to five coats. The finish is sanded between each coat until the final coat is applied.

320-grit sandpaper
Tackcloth
Clear wood finish
Finish brush
400-grit sandpaper
#0000 synthetic steel wool

Instructions

- 1
  Sand the first coat of finish lightly with 320-grit sandpaper to remove any raised imperfections in the surface.
- 2
  Wipe the surface with a tackcloth to remove any dust from sanding.
- 3
  Apply an additional coat of clear finish with a brush. Allow the finish to dry at least 24 hours.
- 4
  Sand the finish with 400-grit sandpaper lightly, focusing on areas with slight imperfections. Wipe the surface off with a tackcloth.
- 5
  Apply additional coats of finish. Allow 24 hours between coats. Sand these additional coats lightly with #0000 synthetic steel wool. Wipe each sanded surface with a tackcloth. Continue this process until you are satisfied with the finish and apply a final coat.

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