Questions tagged [sanding]

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How do I treat a recently sanded pine staircase?

I want to restore our Victorian staircase, going from a drabby flattened 1960s beige carpet, to a fully sanded, restored looking staircase, with painted risers, stained treads and a runner down the ...
digiwig's user avatar
  • 131
3 votes
4 answers
147 views

When sanding spindles how far should I go?

I have a number of spindles on my stairs which need to be repainted. The current paint is thick and badly done. How far should I be going when sanding? So far I have all the thick paint sanded ...
Terry's user avatar
  • 392
2 votes
2 answers
991 views

Can oscillating "multi-tools" sand vertical surfaces?

I need to sand some rough spots on our old front door before repainting and am considering buying/using a multi-tool for this task (as well as some tricky flooring and drywall tasks later). What's ...
Mike B's user avatar
  • 8,083
2 votes
3 answers
8k views

Why is a screen used to sand drywall, but paper used to sand wood?

A sanding screen is comprised of small holes: A sheet of sandpaper has a flexible paper backing: Despite using different methods of abrasion, the abrasiveness of both products is measured in grit. ...
Fil's user avatar
  • 801
2 votes
2 answers
376 views

Resurfacing a wood table

I have a 10 year old hardwood (red gum) table that has had a hard life. It was originally finished with bee's wax but I did not really keep up maintenance. What is the best way clean up this table? ...
dave's user avatar
  • 767
2 votes
2 answers
13k views

How do I fix scratches from sanding drywall?

I've never sanded drywall/spackle before so I don't know what is acceptable or not. I'm remodeling my bathroom and have put down a few layers of spackle. Everything looks good and I just wanted to ...
Mike Willis's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
3k views

Why is sanding required between layers of lacquer paint?

Some context for the question in the title: After years of fixing stuff around the house, I've developed a chronic form of sinusitis - the minimal amount of dust is enough to set me off. I do use a ...
maasg's user avatar
  • 285
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Do I have to scuff semi-gloss paint with sandpaper before second coat?

I applied one coat of semi-gloss paint over a week ago and am finally getting around to the second coat. There is over 80 feet of crown molding and trim to be painted and it's not a basic pattern. Is ...
MonkeyZeus's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
8k views

Can I use joint compound over primer?

So decided to redecorate a bedroom ourselves. We removed wallpaper, scrubbed, sanded, cleaned, primed (Zinsser B-I-N White Multi-surface Matt Primer), skimmed (Make Good Plasterboard Jointing, filling ...
John F's user avatar
  • 21
2 votes
3 answers
224 views

Using a pressure washer to prepare a deck for refinishing

I have an ironwood (ipe) deck which has weathered to grey where it is exposed to the elements. Previously I have refinished it by sanding (very laborious) before reapplying stain/finish. I am ...
Enkarht Khani's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
5k views

Do I sand or power wash the deck?

Greetings community of fixers, I have an aging deck that will be torn down and replaced within (hopefully) 5 years. In the meantime, I'm trying to determine the best course of action to keep it ...
Peter Kovach's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Does sand help with drainage or marshy lawns around a house?

We moved into our home nine months ago, and slowly the situation of runoff from other properties has led to a condition where the back yard is very marshy-like (your shoes would get muddy and it's a ...
Justin's user avatar
  • 121
2 votes
1 answer
3k views

Should I protect a freshly sanded, untreated deck from the weather?

I just Sanded my Deck. Unfortunately weather forecast has changed and it looks like it's going to rain for a week, so I don't have time to weather-proof it. Should I cover my freshly-sanded deck with ...
tkc's user avatar
  • 21
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Halo effect sanding floors

I've used a drum sander and an edging sander to sand a floor. This has left the perimeter of the room a little different from the rest. What's the best way to blend both the regions ? I used 36,60,80 ...
anset's user avatar
  • 293
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Over sanded between coats of varnish

I’ve finally stained and applied a first coat of varnish (oil based poly in satin finish) to a dining table. I went to sand it lightly once dried as per instructions - I think I used a way too rough ...
Deb's user avatar
  • 21
2 votes
3 answers
112 views

Media blasting setup: Soda vs Sand

I got a sand blasting kit for Christmas and just started playing with it by blasting some car parts. I want to use it on our cabinet doors to prep for staining or painting (undecided). My question is,...
DustinDavis's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
19k views

When is it ok to sand against the grain?

Everything I've read says that you should always sand with the grain of the wood. What if it's impossible to sand with the grain? For example, I'm installing a brand new stair post - the kind with the ...
SBerg413's user avatar
  • 539
2 votes
1 answer
60 views

Getting rid of rough edges after removing old paint

I have an old weatherboard house. Removed a lot of old, flaked paint recently from a relatively large section of the house above a rickety old garage. Because it wasn't the safest place to be, I was ...
Matthew McNeil's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
7k views

How do you get rid of brush marks when repainting

I'm going to be repainting the interior walls of my house and all of the interior walls have brush marks on them. Will the normal sanding between coats cover up the brush marks or will I have to sand ...
Orion's user avatar
  • 23
2 votes
2 answers
546 views

How can I blend sanded cedar into the surrounding darker wood with a polyurethane finish?

I applied unfinished cedar tongue and groove wood, to my ceiling and I applied one coat of minwax fast drying clear polyurethane to it. I noticed that one of the sections turned a light grey and ...
Vince Anthony's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
266 views

Oscillating or Drum Floor Sander

I'm refinishing the floors in a 4 bedroom house, built circa 2003. The house is roughly 1800 sqft total. The 4 bedrooms have pine floors, while the living room and the hallway are some sort of ...
raydowe's user avatar
  • 205
2 votes
2 answers
5k views

How do I seal ventilation vents while sanding a hardwood floor?

How do I stop the wood dust from entering the vents while I'm sanding the hardwood floor? I am thinking that stuffing with newspapers will do the trick, but this may have two flaws: It will not ...
Calaf's user avatar
  • 1,225
2 votes
2 answers
910 views

Cleaning up very old oak and other hardwood roof beams

I am building a stone barn and have just acquired an assortment of very old oak and other hardwood beams (with nails, dirt, the lot) to be used to construct the barn roof. A lot of this wood is filthy ...
Eric Crane's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
2k views

Can buffing and sanding attachments be used with a fixed speed powerdrill?

Have wondered about this possibility. I've seen some 'As seen on TV' ads where they sell all-in-one DIY power-tool kits which can act as a drill (reversible), power screw in/unscrew, hammer, buffing, ...
bdutta74's user avatar
  • 257
2 votes
1 answer
121 views

Should I be concerned about respiratory hazard from leftover/lurking silica sand from abrasive blasting (sandblasting)?

I know the media itself is a respiratory hazard while blasting (I'm told the silica sand itself breaks apart from the blasting and becomes dust-like). The area will be ventilated. However, I worry ...
Hamster's user avatar
  • 123
2 votes
4 answers
545 views

Non-sanding solution to get old pen markings out of wood?

My wife and I have a toddler who is ready to graduate to a big boy bed, and her parent's handed us down a twin bed that they've had in storage for years (woo hoo). The problem with it is that someone ...
smeeb's user avatar
  • 697
2 votes
1 answer
178 views

Can stained MDF be restored?

I embarked on an ambitious project to restore a piece of furniture by stripping it, sanding it back, re-staining, and re-varnishing. The stripping and sanding part has turned into an absolute ...
me--'s user avatar
  • 187
2 votes
3 answers
3k views

How to efficiently trim 3mm polycarbonate with portable tool(s)?

I have a square of 3mm thick polycarbonate (aka "Lexan" after a common brand, though mine is a different brand) that is roughly 50cm along each edge. I need to trim a few mm off one corner and part ...
user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
4k views

Having some trouble with Sanding hardwood floors

I thought I sand my floors myself so last night I rented random orbit sander from home depot. Using the 36 grit sand paper. I did not get the result I was hoping to get. It is my first time using the ...
Sam's user avatar
  • 345
2 votes
1 answer
14k views

Do I need to sand my new pressure-treated deck before staining it?

I just got a deck built and pre treated wood was used. Do I need to sand it before I stain it? I live in San Antonio, Texas
calvin's user avatar
  • 21
2 votes
1 answer
4k views

How can I make my concrete countertop smoother?

I think I used the wrong concrete mix. It had rocks in it so when I tried to get it level, but I really struggled. I then went and bought some self leveling cement to try to balance everything out. ...
Layitdown33's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
2k views

Can I hone Silestone from a glossy finish to a matte finish?

I would like to hone (make the glossy finish matte) my Silestone kitchen countertops. Is this possible either through an acid wash, sanding or other? Sanding works on samples but will be difficult ...
Mark's user avatar
  • 21
2 votes
3 answers
5k views

How can I transition between rooms when refinishing hardwood floors?

I'm planning to rent a sander and refinish the ugly floor that is the darker floor in the photo. I'm also planning to pull up the carpet which has nice hardwood under it in good shape (no refinishing ...
Walden's user avatar
  • 21
2 votes
0 answers
127 views

Electricians came in last week to drill and install pot lights.. are they in charge of plastering and making sure all is OK for painting? [closed]

So Electricans came in to install some pot lights. 8 per room. Some of the pot lights have cracks around the drywall where the hole was drilled. Some cracks they created while drilling the holes were ...
tom Ssk's user avatar
  • 21
1 vote
3 answers
10k views

Can I reduce the width of a board half an inch by sanding?

I am building a bed frame. Like a fool, I thought 2 x 4 lumber was actually 2 x 4 inches. Now I have a gap that is .5 inches too wide on either side of my frame. I'm wondering if there is a good fix ...
user93599's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
7k views

How to take the sandpaper off of a Makita palm sander

I need to know how to take the old sandpaper off a palm sander (Makita model B04553). It is not mine so I am unsure, but there are four latches that I have lifted, thinking that it will loosen and ...
Asha's user avatar
  • 11
1 vote
2 answers
1k views

Recommended palm sander techniques?

I'm palm sanding (quarter sheet) flaking/chipped paint from exterior hardwood siding I want to preserve. I read some hints here, but I'm seeking any other labor-saving hints - this job is tedious. ...
dave_k_smith's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
2k views

Is it possible to use this reclaimed hardwood flooring?

I am planning on reusing some old hard wood flooring reclaimed from another parts of the house. I should note I have an old house that the original portion was built in 1760 with an add on done ...
Carl B's user avatar
  • 663
1 vote
1 answer
214 views

I removed wallpaper, and it seems I've hit a wall. Sand, plaster, or seal? [closed]

It seems like pretty rough concrete under there, partly patched with plaster. I'm wondering if the way to go will be to sand it, plaster it, or simply seal with primer. The final goal is white paint, ...
DemonTutu's user avatar
1 vote
4 answers
150 views

How can I remove the finish of hardwood flooring before installation?

I bought 500 sq ft of used engineered hardwood flooring, about 7 inches wide. It is stained a very dark color and I'd like to sand off / remove the top layer to reveal the natural color. Any ...
cannotcompute's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
198 views

How to sand wood without flattening it

I'd like to sand some wood planks on a rustic table to remove paint stains, but keep the rough wood structure (1-2 mm height difference). How can I do that?
ipavlic's user avatar
  • 403
1 vote
3 answers
21k views

Why is my freshly applied paint coming off on the roller?

I used Dulux™ undercoat and primer today for the first time. I cut in a small area and as soon as I started rolling, it was removing the paint! I had committed so I carried on. I let it dry and did a ...
Nicola's user avatar
  • 11
1 vote
1 answer
169 views

How to sand plaster corner using oscillating tool?

I'm fitting a blackout blind and the width of the opening of the window recess at the top narrows over at the the final 4 cm or so (1.6") by a maximum of perhaps 2.5 mm (1/10 th of an inch). The ...
Croad Langshan's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
4k views

Do I need to sand between coats of varnish?

I have sanded down a table and put 2 coats of paint on it. I have also applied two coats of varnish. The first coat was smooth but the second coat of varnish seems rough. It looks like wood that got ...
pmcc's user avatar
  • 11
1 vote
4 answers
9k views

Finish a laser engraved piece of wood

I've laser engraved text onto a wooden plaque . The engraving has some finely spaced grooves. I want to apply a stain on it , sand it out so that the engraved portion is darker than the rest. I'm ...
anset's user avatar
  • 293
1 vote
1 answer
2k views

Will the shiny and scratched appearance after sanding between coats go away after applying another coat of polyurethane?

I have a table that has a veneer inlay that my grandkids put huge scratches in. I decided to sand it and coat it with polyurethane. Long story short, I even ended up adding stain. The sanding block ...
Debbie's user avatar
  • 11
1 vote
2 answers
542 views

How can I make the surface of marble rough without using chemicals?

How can I make the polished side of marble not slippery? I don't want to use chemicals to do this because these pieces of marble will be used as stepping stones in gardens. WHAT I'VE ALREADY TRIED: ...
Kibby's user avatar
  • 11
1 vote
1 answer
6k views

How to restore the brushed finish on stainless steel appliances

Someone in our household absentmindedly used a green ScotchBrite pad to clean a couple of the stainless steel appliances in our kitchen. In some cases, they went across/against the grain. The ...
gnicko's user avatar
  • 5,605
1 vote
2 answers
1k views

Removed wainscoting - Will I need to sand the entire wall?

First time DIY'er here and I decided it was time to update my office by removing the wainscoting and giving it a fresh coat of paint. However, before I get there, I was hoping for a little feedback......
kdub's user avatar
  • 111
1 vote
2 answers
1k views

Stair skirt board protruding from wall by ~1/4" - can I use a belt sander to sand it down?

I'm doing my own stairs remod - long story short, I'm regretting it. It looked deceptively easy, but I've regretted it and I have a bunch of little errors that are adding up. One such mistake is that ...
Matt's user avatar
  • 1,291