How to Care for Newly Sanded Wood

Sanding wood is necessary for a range of reasons. Sanding opens up the grain of the wood to receive paint or stain, allowing you to create a better finish. Sanding also allows you to buff out imperfections like scratches, dings, dents and stains that wood can accumulate over the years. Sanding also allows you to round out harsh edges, softening the look of a piece of furniture. However, sanding is just one step in a process of refinishing wood, and sanded wood left unattended can be vulnerable to damage if you don't take care of it adequately.

Tack cloth
Handheld vacuum
Lint-free cloths
Wood conditioner
3-inch nylon brush
Wood stain or paint
Clear polyurethane

Instructions

- 1
  Wipe down the surface of the sanded wood with a tack cloth. This will help to take off all the dust that sanding helps to accumulate.
- 2
  Run a handheld vacuum over the surface area of the wood. This will help to remove any residual dust.
- 3
  Add a silver dollar-sized amount of wood conditioner to a lint-free cloth. Distribute the wood conditioner evenly around the sanded wood. Buff it in uniformly with a cloth. Allow the conditioner to penetrate the wood for at least 20 minutes.
- 4
  Apply the paint or stain of your choice using a 3-inch-wide nylon brush. If using stain, allow the stain to penetrate the wood for at least 20 minutes before wiping and reapplying a second coat. If painting, apply two coats of paint, allowing 12 hours of drying time between each coat.
- 5
  Cover the wood with a clear coat of polyurethane finish to protect the wood. Apply it with a 3-inch-wide nylon brush.

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