Because you are removing much more finish when sanding than when simply rubbing with steel wool the finish should be thicker to begin with or you will likely sand through.
Sanding lacquer with steel wool.
Steel wool can be used instead of fine sandpaper for many sanding jobs.
What steel wool are you using.
It s worthwhile buying a quality steel wool.
Then rub with 0000 steel wool or with pumice and a mineral oil lubricant using a felt or cloth pad.
You can stop at 600 grit if you intend to rub with steel wool or with pumice.
This age old two step technique is commonly used on shellac and lacquer finishes but it can work well on water and oilbased polyurethane too.
Using steel wood to polish wood might seem out of place and actually harmful to the surface of the wood but it isn t if done properly.
Use medium to heavy pressure and try to keep the pressure and the direction of your strokes as consistent as possible.
But you will usually get better results if you sand to 1000 grit first.
Sanding sealer is varnish or lacquer with a soap like lubricant included.
The steel wool buffing process is fairly straightforward.
Using steel wool or sand paper allows you to create a uniform surface for the next coat of polyurethane which generally looks nicer more professionally etc.
The very fine strands of steel gently cut into the surface being sanded removing an ultra thin layer.
If you re going for a satin finish rubbing out with 0000 steel wool should work.
If you want a higher gloss sand up to 2000 grit p2000 or higher and then rub with rottenstone and a mineral oil lubricant.
Apply the lacquer finish.
Spraying is the traditional method of applying lacquer but brushable lacquer is an acceptable alternative although it can be a bit more temperamental than spray lacquer.
After carefully wiping off the sanding dust or residue with a damp cloth rub the entire finished surface with steel wool and lubricant in the direction of the grain.
Sanding removes defects and levels ridges.
Sanding sealer powders when sanded.
The leveled finish is then further abraded with a fine grade 4 0 steel wool to leave a finer and slightly different scratch pattern thus raising the sheen.
The only drawback with poly is that it is.
The main advantage of using steel wool rather than sandpaper is that the steel wool can compress to almost any shape so it can be used much more easily in hard to reach places as well as on complex shapes such as.
Synthetic steel wool creates an even silky smooth finish that s a joy to look at and feel.
Liberon makes the best steel wool and it isn t too expensive maybe a few dollars more than what they sell at a big box store.
With the staining completed apply a light coat of lacquer to the entire project.
Here s a process for achieving a high satin or semi gloss rubbed sheen on a lacquer coating.
