Sanding & finishing

This hub covers the last step of most projects: sanding, filling and putting on a finish. It helps you pick the grit, choose a sander, sand hard materials like resin and fiberglass, and spray paint without drips.

Many finishing problems start before the finish goes on. Jumping too far between grits leaves scratches that show through stain. Dust left on the surface ends up in the paint. So the guides start with prep, then the tool, then the finish.

How to pick a guide:

• Not sure which grit? Start with the sandpaper grit chart. A printable copy for the shop wall is planned.
• Choosing a sander? See the sander comparisons, starting with Rotex vs random orbital.
• Sanding something other than wood? The material guides cover drywall, resin, aluminum, acrylic and fiberglass. The steel and wood and MDF pages also have a sanding section.
• Spraying paint? Start with the paint sprayer setup guide.

The guides in this hub are being written now. Until they're up, the material pages link what's ready.

Safety basics for this job

• Test old paint for lead before you sand it. The EPA says homes built before 1978 may have lead paint. It suggests a certified tester, and wet methods, a HEPA vacuum and a P-100 type respirator for DIY work.
• Control dust from concrete, brick and stone. OSHA says sanding or drilling them releases silica dust, which causes silicosis and lung cancer. Work wet or use a vacuum shroud, and wear a respirator.
• Don't leave oily rags in a pile. Rags with oil stain or finish can heat up and catch fire on their own. Lay them flat outside to dry, or seal them in a metal can full of water.
• Treat a paint sprayer wound as an emergency. An airless sprayer can force paint under your skin. Graco says to get emergency care at once, even if it looks like a small cut.