How to Get an Ultra-Smooth Finish on Wood

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Y’all, I am not a professional woodworker, but I discovered the secret to getting that silky smooth finish on your woodworking projects! It’s so simple, I wish I would’ve known this sooner. Read on to learn my exact method to getting an ultra-smooth wood finish.

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How to Get an Ultra-Smooth Wood Finish

Supplies Needed:

Directions to get that silky smooth wood finish:

1. Don’t Skimp on the Sanding

The most important thing you can do to get a smooth wood finish is to start with a good sanding job. Unless my wood is already sanded, I start with 80 grit to knock down the rough spots. I then move up to 120, then 220 and 320. The 320 grit sandpaper is where the magic happens! The higher the grit, the more fine it is, which means the higher you go with your sandpaper, the smoother it will make the surface! This goes for staining or painting too.

TIP: When sanding, make sure to always keep your sander flat and to sand across the entire piece evenly. A trick to help you keep track of where you sanded is to draw a large X or squiggly line with a pencil across the piece of wood you’re sanding. This will help you visually see where you have sanded and make sure to evenly move across the full piece of wood.

TIP: Another tip when sanding (and this applies to anything – hello drywall!), is to close your eyes and FEEL the surface you are sanding. By closing your eyes, you can focus just on the feel of the wood, which will highlight any rough spots you may have missed!

2. Wipe Away ALL Dust Before Staining

I like to use pressurized air to blow off the dust first – if you don’t have space for an air compressor, then check out this rechargeable air duster from Amazon! Using pressurized air really gets into the crevices and cleans away any piles of dust that may be stuck to the surface of your wood. Let the dust settle for a few minutes, then wipe the wood with a damp cloth to pop the grain. This allows the stain to absorb more evenly. Apply your wood conditioner and stain following the directions on the container. After staining the wood, allow it to dry fully before applying your stain.

3. Sand Between Finish Coats

Here’s the crucial step to getting a super smooth wood finish: sand between your finish coats! Apply your finish of choice (my go-to is wipe-on poly!) and allow it to dry for the recommended time (usually a couple of hours). Once dry, grab some 320 grit sandpaper, and lightly sand the finish by hand. You will feel the difference immediately. Wipe off all sanding dust before applying your next finish coat. Repeat for as many layers as you need.

If painting, you can apply this exact same method, sanding between each coat of paint. To help reduce brush/roller marks, I like to add Floetrol to my paint. It helps the paint self-level and makes a huge difference! And if you’re painting furniture, always use furniture paint for the best adhesion and durability.

4. Carefully Apply Your Final Finish Coat for a Smooth Wood Finish

For your final coat, apply the finish carefully to avoid causing any bubbles or streaks since you will not sand after this coat. If you are using regular polyurethane, I recommend using wipe-on poly for your final coat. Carefully applying your final coat will help you achieve that ultra-smooth finish on your wood!

For paint, depending on the application and type of paint you used, you may not need a finish coat. However, if you are using a finish coat, you can follow the same directions as above. You could alternatively use a furniture wax, which would apply smoothly as well.

5. Buff the Final Finish with Paper

Okay, maybe this step sounds weird to you, but it makes such a difference! I tear off a piece of construction paper and crinkle it up in my hand (just so it’s not flat). Then I just rub it against the wood. There’s no real technique here and it doesn’t take much time or effort. The reason this step is crucial is it knocks off any dust or debris that stuck to your final finish without affecting the finish itself! The important final step to achieving that silky smooth finish on your woodworking projects!

It really is that simple! You can use this method to get a super smooth finish, whether staining or painting!

I would love to hear if this tip helped you! And please ask me all your questions, I love to help where I can. Happy woodworking!