Sanding
From IAP-Wiki
Sanding prepares the material to receive a finish. The finish will only be as good as the surface preparation.
With either material, you may want to cover the bushings with tape to keep metal sanding dust from the bushings from contaminating the blank.
Wood
Wood is normally sanded dry. A dust collector hose positioned just behind the blank will catch all the sanding dust and keep it out of your lungs!
Start with a 320 grit sandpaper. You can start with a lower grit if necessary.
Sand upward from the starting grit; 150, 220, 320, 400, 600, 1200, 2000. Do not skip any grits because the scratches from the previous grit will not be removed completely if you skip grits.
For each grit:
- Turn the lathe on and sand with a wiping motion across the blank.
- Stop the lathe and sand lengthwise while turning the lathe slowly by hand.
- With the lathe off, wipe off any sanding dust with a paper towel and denatured alcohol (DNA). Wipe the sandpaper too!
- Repeat with the next grit of sandpaper.
Acrylics
Acrylics should be wet sanded with wet and dry paper used with water. Be sure to cover the ways of your lathe to keep water off the lathe. Use a heavy rubber sheet commonly used to line tool box shelves. Anything will do if it prevents water penetration and is solid. Don't use cloth.
