What Is A Sanding Sealer? Benefits Of Using Sanding Sealer
What Is A Sanding Sealer? Benefits Of Using Sanding Sealer
Sanding sealer is a product used by woodworkers to create a smooth, even surface on wood furniture and other projects. It is typically applied after any desired wood stain and before any protective coatings or finishes.
The sealer is designed to be sandable and dries quickly to condition the wood. By using sanding sealer, woodworkers can minimize rough textures and achieve a smooth finish.
It can be applied over wood stain or bare wood, and must be allowed to dry completely before sanding and applying a protective coating like polyurethane or varnish. The sealer also helps eliminate pits or rough spots on the wood surface, and makes harder woods like oak or ash easier to sand.
Additionally, it causes the wood to produce a fine powder when sanded which makes cleanup easier and produces a finer finish.
What Sanding Sealer Is Made From
Sanding sealer is a clear coating similar to polyurethane and shellac that is used to seal wood pores before applying a topcoat. It contains a zinc stearate additive that makes the coating thicker, which allows for more sanding material.
Additionally, this additive acts as a lubricant, making sanding and cleanup easier. Unlike polyurethane and shellac, sanding sealer does not gum up sandpaper.
It is applied after sanding the wood down to a bare finish and before applying a topcoat and should not be used on stained surfaces as sanding will remove the stain.
Uses For Sanding Sealer
Sanding sealer is a great way to improve the appearance and functionality of many surfaces. It can be used for a variety of applications, such as painting MDF, OSB, and any species of wood; sealing wood knots; applying it to furniture and cabinets; flattening out raised wood grain; sealing pores for smoother finishes; and coating bare hardwood floors before topping with oil or polyurethane.
Sanding sealer is an invaluable tool for anyone working with medium-density fiberboard, OSB, or any type of wood.
How To Use Sanding Sealer
The sealers can be easily applied by either brushing or spraying, due to their thin viscosity. This makes it easy to spread the sealer evenly and allows it to penetrate into porous woods so that the protection is thorough and complete
Here is how you can use Sanding sealer;
- Sand the wood to a bare surface using a hand sander or oscillating sander.
- Clean the wood by first using a shop vacuum, then removing any remaining dust with a tack cloth or rags.
- Mix the sanding sealer with a paint stirring stick, being careful not to shake the can as it can create bubbles.
- Apply a thin coat of the mixed sanding sealer to the wood surface using a paintbrush. Do not apply a second coat at this time.
- Once the sanding sealer has dried for at least an hour, sand it down with #320 fine-grit sandpaper.
- Clean off the sanding sealer dust with a shop vacuum and tack cloth or rags.
- The surface can now be painted or clear-coated after cleaning the dust.
Benefits Of Using Sanding Sealer
Sanding sealer offers several advantages over other surface treatments such as topcoat, including faster production time, cost-savings, faster film build-up and strong adhesion properties.
Since it is softer than most finish coats, sanding sealer allows for quicker sanding and drying times. It also costs less than topcoat if the project does not require a third product.
As well as this, its larger particle size allows for a much quicker film build-up compared to many other finishes. Finally, it will help to improve the adhesion of paints and stains without blocking tannin or dye bleed through.
