Surface preparation is truly the unsung hero of wood finishing… I spent weeks on a walnut table project only to realize that the sanding process was where I should have invested more time. Choosing the right finish is just as important, but if the surface isn’t perfect, it won’t matter. I’d love to hear how others approach their prep work.
I totally get where you’re coming from about prep work. For my last project, I spent an entire weekend sanding before applying the finish, and it made a huge difference. I usually start with a coarse grit and work my way up to finer grits, which really helps achieve that smooth surface.
, I’ve been there too! For my last project, I ended up breaking out my random orbital sander and spent a solid three days getting the finish just right on a tabletop. It was a game changer.