Tips for Reducing Swirl Marks While Sanding
1 min reading time
Sanding is the gateway to a good finish on your woodworking projects, so getting it right is very important. One problem woodworkers spend so much time getting rid of are swirl marks. To save you time and material, here are a few tips to minimize swirl marks while sanding:
- Sand in progressive grits: Start with a coarse grit sandpaper to remove the majority of the material, then progress to finer grits to achieve a smooth finish. Each time you move to a finer grit, make sure the surface is clean and free of debris.
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Sand in different directions: Sanding in different directions can help to distribute the scratches evenly across the surface, minimizing the appearance of swirl marks. For starters, we recommend using a random orbital sander: A random orbital sander produces a more random pattern of scratches than a regular orbital sander, which helps to minimize the appearance of swirl marks.
If Hand sanding, sand in the direction of the grain: this will minimize the appearance of swirl marks, as it follows the natural lines of the wood. - Use light pressure: Applying too much pressure while sanding can create deep scratches and swirl marks. Using light pressure will reduce the risk of creating these marks.
- Use a vacuum or dust collector: Removing dust as you sand will help to prevent scratches and swirl marks caused by abrasive particles getting caught in the sandpaper.
- Keep the sanding pad clean, if it is dirty or clogged, it can cause swirl marks. Clean it frequently and change the abrasive paper if it is worn out.
Note: Starbond sanding disc pack includes more quantity of commonly used sanding discs, (20 pcs x 80 grit), (20 pcs x 120 grit), (15 pcs x 180 grit), (15 pcs x 220 grit).
