Replies

1. 
   BioHaz1906 | Sep 12, 2008 06:46am | #1

   Try wetting the wood and see what you get.

    

   Bio

2. 
   Frank Vucolo | Sep 12, 2008 04:33pm | #2

   Stan,

   Try wetting the board with denatured alcohol. It will let you see the detail without raising the grain and it will evaporate quickly.

3. 
   SteveSchoene | Sep 12, 2008 06:25pm | #3

   One more step.  After using your ROS through 150, complete the sanding process by hand sanding with the same grit as your final ROS sanding--ie. 150. 

   By the way, while 150 is general fine enough for most purposes, lots of people do sand to 180 or 220.  Which you chose will have an impact on how the poplar accepts stain. 

   Wiping the surface with mineral spirits is a good way to check for problems like planer ripples. 

1. 
   Stan | Sep 13, 2008 04:26am | #4

   Hi Steve,

   Thanks for your recommendations.  Help me understand what you mean by the term "ROS."  Also, what is the benefit of completing the sanding process by hand?

   There is always something to learn.

   Stan Pearse

    

    

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Sep 13, 2008 05:14am | #5

   ROS random orbital sander.  Most palm sanders are random orbital, though a few are still just orbital. Only a few pad sander--mostly 1/2 sheet sanders now have straight line sanding.   

   Orbital sanding, random or not, will leave some of the sanding scratchesrunning across the grain, which makes them much more visible when stained.  The hand sanding is done always sanding with the grain.  Such scratches are much less visible.  The finer the grit the less important this is, but up to about 400 grit or so it still makes a difference. 

1. 
   Stan | Sep 13, 2008 07:56pm | #6

   Steve,

   Thanks so much for responding.  I really appreciate the information that you kindly offered.

   Have a great weekend.

   Stan