I'm refinishing a handrail from the mid-60s, and the owner is really worried that using sandpaper coarser than 220 will ruin the open grain of the wood. Right now, using 220 seems to be making the finish dull quickly, almost like I'm forcing it instead of smoothing it out. Is this fear about damaging open grain wood with mid-level sandpaper (like 100-150 grit) justified?
3 Answers
Honestly, I think that concern is a bit overblown. Using coarser sandpaper just removes more material quicker, and as long as you progress through the grits, the scratches will disappear. For a handrail, I'd suggest using a stripper first to avoid gumming up your paper. In my experience, starting with 120 grit is more than enough—220 is usually just for between coats.
Honestly, I’d say no to the worry. Just go for it!
I don’t think you have to worry too much about damage. Just give it a good wipe with a microfiber cloth to pull any dust out of the pores, and you should be good to go!
That's what I thought too! I appreciate the insight.