I'm really struggling with swirls when using my orbital sander. It's driving me crazy! The only way I can avoid them is by sanding the final grits by hand with the grain. Am I applying too much or too little pressure? Am I skipping grits too quickly? Could my sander be the issue? I need help figuring this out!
3 Answers
You might want to check how hard you’re pressing down. The sander should glide over the wood with minimal pressure! It helps to sand slowly and methodically. Use light pencil lines on the wood; when they're gone, then switch grits. Always clean the surface between each grit change to avoid scratches from debris. Sanding truly is a skill that improves with practice! Stick with it, and you'll nail it!
One major culprit behind those swirls is the dust being pushed around while you sand. Make sure you’re using a good dust collection system and decent sandpaper. Also, remember to let the sander do all the work—just guide it along and don’t apply any extra pressure. I switched to net sanding disks and it's been a game-changer for me. They really help with airflow and keeping dust to a minimum! And don't forget to wipe your surface with mineral spirits between grits for a cleaner finish!
It sounds like you might be applying too much pressure! Try using just the weight of the sander without pressing down. Make sure to make smooth, even passes in all directions. Also, don’t skip grits too quickly—sand until your piece feels uniformly smooth. If you're getting deep scratches, go back a couple of grits and work your way forward again after dusting off. Some folks stop at 600 grit for visible pieces and go higher for touchable surfaces. If it’s a standard orbital sander (not a random one), then it might be time to upgrade!
Totally agree! I've also found that changing the sandpaper regularly is key. Old or clogged paper can definitely contribute to swirls!