Are you Refinishing Something? Be Sure to Choose the Right Refinishing Abrasive!

Refinishing can be a great way to give an old item a brand new look! Furniture, cabinetry, flooring, even cars can benefit from a good refinishing. I personally enjoy visiting thrift shops and yard sales, and picking up old pieces of furniture that need work. With a little loving care, these ratty old pieces can be turned into beautiful items to be proud of.

One important step in refinishing anything is to choose the right refinishing abrasive. The most widely used refinishing abrasive out there is sandpaper. Sandpaper is the name for flexible sheets of paper coated with abrasive particles. There are different grades of sandpaper -- those with large grit, and those with small grit. Most types of sandpaper used for wood refinishing are the aluminum oxide variety, in grits ranging from around 100 to 300. The higher the number, the smaller the grit. You'll want to start with a large grit, then work your way to a fine grit.

Another refinishing abrasive is steel wool. Steel wool can be used if you want to preserve an item's patina. Patina is the name for a finish that is caused by the aging process. Many times, patina is a desirable quality. If you want to smooth rough spots on a piece of furniture without affecting the patina, then steel wool is the choice for you. Steel wool is also used to prevent sanding through a coat of veneer. Like sandpaper, steel wool comes in different grades. Choose from super fine to coarse depending on your individual refinishing needs.

After using steel wool on wood, always thoroughly vacuum the item to prevent tiny pieces of steel wool to become stuck in the wood and cause cosmetic problems.

Refinishing abrasives are a must for any refinishing project, regardless if you choose steel wool or sandpaper. By using a refinishing abrasive, you'll give any item a smooth, uniform surface that's ready to take paint or stain. For wood that's unfinished, sanding is a must to prevent unwanted splinters and roughness.

As you can see, choosing the proper refinshing abrasive can make all the difference when it comes to refinishing anything. So always make sure to research and choose the correct refinishing abrasive before beginning your project.

Copyright 2006 Jim Sterling - All Rights Reserved

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