If you’re into woodworking, you realize the importance of sanding every piece of furniture or object you’re working with. You also probably know that the wood should be completely dry while sanding, but what happens if the piece you’re working with has a high moisture level or gets wet? Can you sand wet wood?
You can sand wet wood, but the result of your work might not look good, and the process may be more difficult and even more dangerous. When the wood is wet, sanding can create splinters and damage the woodwork. However, if you want to sand wet wood, you need to use a belt sander for better results.
If you’re unsure what to do, read the rest of this article. I will explain how you can sand wet wood and show you the possible disadvantages of doing so. You can also learn more about the difference between dry sanding wet wood and wet sanding.
Why Sanding Wet Wood Is Not Recommended
Even though sanding wet wood is doable, professionals usually try to discourage you from doing it. There are several good reasons why you would not want to sand wet wood and instead wait until it’s dry:
The Result Will Not Be Aesthetically Pleasing
The increased moisture in the wood makes it more fragile and prone to damage. As a result, while sanding, the fibers can splinter, so you may not be able to get a smooth surface. Additionally, as the wood dries, there might be swelling or other distortions that you won’t be able to notice until it’s too late.
You should also be careful while finishing the wood. If the wood is moist, it can absorb the stain unevenly. Consequently, your work might not look as you imagined.
Wet Wood Might Make Your Work Harder
While sanding wet wood, you might encounter certain difficulties that you wouldn’t otherwise. First, because wet wood is fragile and its fibers can splinter while sanding, you need to be extra careful of any sharp edges that the sander might create.
Furthermore, the high moisture level adds to the wood’s weight, making the piece you’re working on harder to handle. If you’re using glue to attach two different parts, the wet wood might not work well, making the glue ineffective.
Finally, wet wood can ruin your sandpaper much more quickly. The damp wood pulp can fill the grit in the sandpaper before you can finish sanding. It will take you longer to complete the job, and you’ll waste more sandpaper.
Unpleasant Experience While Working
You’ll have a much harder time while sanding wet wood than you would otherwise. When the wood is moist, it creates a lot more debris and dust, which is always unpleasant and could even be dangerous if you haven’t taken the necessary measures.
Moreover, because of the texture of wet wood and the fact that fibers splinter easily, the sanding process will generate a lot more noise than it would if you were working with dry wood. As a result, you need to make sure your ears are protected.
Why You Would Want To Sand Wet Wood
Given everything I’ve mentioned so far, why would you even consider sanding wet wood? Well, for one, you might have no other choice. If you must finish your work and the wood still has extra moisture left in it, you need to sand it as soon as possible. Additionally, sanding might actually help to speed up the process of drying.
How To Sand Wet Wood
In general, sanding, like epoxy, works best when the wood is completely dry, so you might be discouraged from sanding wood when it’s wet or has a relatively high moisture level. However, sanding wood is technically possible, even though it might not yield the expected results.
If you want to sand wet wood, you need to think carefully about what you will use to do the sanding. To ensure you get the best results possible, you should go with a belt sander, mainly because they produce much less sawdust, which can be incredibly messy if the wood is wet. You can sand wet wood in these simple steps:
- Gather your tools. Get a belt sander and sandpaper, prepare your work table and make sure to keep a cloth and a vacuum cleaner nearby.
- Prepare your tools. Make sure the belt sander works properly and put the sandpaper on the sander.
- Sand the wet surface. Start sanding in circles, applying even pressure, and keeping a consistent pace. Ensure you get all the surfaces and don’t stay too long in an area.
- Stop sanding the surface. Whenever you’re satisfied with how the wood looks and you don’t notice any imperfections, stop the sander.
- Clean the surface. Use a cloth to wipe the dust and particles that the sander left. You can use a vacuum to make sure the surface is spotless.
Because sanding wet wood doesn’t usually result in smooth, good-looking pieces, it’s recommended that you try it for something that will not be displayed or doesn’t need a particularly aesthetically pleasing look. If you’re working with furniture or decorations, you should wait until the wood is fully dry to sand it.
Dry vs. Wet Sanding
It’s important to know the distinction between dry sanding wet wood and wet sanding. So far, I’ve explained how to dry sand wet wood and why it may not be a good idea. Wet sanding is a different technique that is sometimes used when finishing a piece of woodwork. Let’s see some dry and wet sanding facts that can help you decide what to do.
Dry Sanding
Dry sanding is the standard sanding method and is what you probably imagine when you think of the process. It’s ideal for dry sanding a surface with a low moisture level of below 10%. You can dry sand in several ways, using just sandpaper or palm or belt sanders. In any case, the sandpaper should have a rough enough grit.
Wet Sanding
Wet sanding, on the other hand, is a particular method of sanding that involves wetting the sandpaper to create a smooth finish. You can’t use anything but plain sandpaper for this method, and it should have fine grit and be soaked well before starting to work.
You need to ensure you don’t overdo it with the water; otherwise, you might end up with the wet wood situation I’ve been talking about.
Conclusion
Wet wood can be quite hard to sand, which is why most professionals don’t recommend it. However, if you want to sand wet wood, it will not look as good and may be harder to work with. You may sand wet wood for general woodwork that doesn’t require aesthetically pleasing results.
Sanding wet wood should not be confused with wet sanding, which is a special technique that requires soaking sandpaper.
