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| Sanding cord and tape work great when smoothing out ridges and curves in chair or furniture legs. Find them at home-improvement stores or online at www.rockler.com. |
Cool New Tools
Many gadgets make sanding easier and save you time, but nothing beats a slow and steady sanding job, whether you're using an electric sander, a sanding sponge, or wrapping sandpaper around a 2 x 4 block. For curved or concave surfaces, such as chair backs, table legs, or headboards, wrap sandpaper around a 1-inch-thick dowel instead of a block. For tight corners, try the Black & Decker Mouse Sander. It has a pointed tip that makes reaching corners a snap. No matter what you're sanding, always work in a well-ventilated area and wear goggles and a mask--especially if you're redoing a piece with several layers of paint on it or something that has been stained and may have a polyurethane coating. This dust can be hazardous to your lungs.
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MOST COMMON MISTAKES
Don't push down too hard or use sandpaper that is too coarse. If the paper is causing even the tiniest scratch, switch to a finer grit or put less muscle into your work.
Another no-no: Not cleaning off all the surface dust between sandings. If a lot of dust has collected, brush off your piece with a dry paintbrush, and then thoroughly wipe down with a cloth. If your project is extremely dusty, clean the surface with a damp rag. Let dry thoroughly before painting.
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This article is from the September 2005 issue of Southern Living.
