Sanding Stain With Steel Wool

The very fine strands of steel gently cut into the surface being sanded removing an ultra thin layer.

Sanding stain with steel wool.

After carefully wiping off the sanding dust or residue with a damp cloth rub the entire finished surface with steel wool and lubricant in the direction of the grain. Scrape directly into a trash can if possible. Then add distilled white vinegar to the jar. You can modify this sanded surface subsequently by using steel wool with or without wax if it gives the look you like.

Steel wool can be used instead of fine sandpaper for many sanding jobs. In addition it adds some tooth to the surface that helps the next coat of stain adhere and absorb better and more uniformly. Using steel wool or sand paper allows you to create a uniform surface for the next coat of polyurethane which generally looks nicer more professionally etc. Stirring stick paint brush scrap wood add steel wool and vinegar to a mason jar the first step in making your diy steel wool and vinegar stain is to add a pad of the 0000 super fine steel wool into a mason jar.

The steel wool buffing process is fairly straightforward. Sanding with a steel wool substitute between coats of stain is useful for two reasons. First it evens out the finish from the previous coat. The steel wool is very fine and will actually scrape off a very fine layer leaving a silky smooth finish often referred to as a hand rubbed finish.

Using steel wood to polish wood might seem out of place and actually harmful to the surface of the wood but it isn t if done properly. There is much info in previous q as here that touch on or directly answer some of your other queries e g. Use medium to heavy pressure and try to keep the pressure and the direction of your strokes as consistent as possible. Remove additional residue especially from difficult areas with a steel wool pad by scrubbing in the direction of the grain.

In my experience assuming the finish is dry there isn t a difference other than the coarseness of the sand paper or steel wool. Step 9 brush on a third coat of polyurethane this time use it full strength without adding mineral spirits. Wipe off the sanding dust with a tack cloth.