Waterlox wood prep

[Jeffrey Cole]

I am sanding my new WALNUT dinning table in preparation for the Waterlox finish. To what grit do I sand?
Thanks for the help!!
Jeffrey

[Dan Hahr]

It depends on how obvious you want the scratches to be. I usually sand to 220p.

Dan

[Kent A Bathurst]

With multiple coats of varnish, the surface scratches left by sandpaper get vanished......

I would sand 100 - 120 - 150 with my ROS, and then one final light pass of 150 by hand, following the grain - -be sure to lift the sandpaper off the surface as you move across the surface.

Sometimes 180 [depends on wood and project]. Never 220 - - just not necessary IMO. On a walnut table, I would definitely stop at 150.

BUT - I always sand end grain by hand to 320, if I am using dye - - different story, that.....

[Prashun Patel]

I disagree with those who shun sanding above 220.

I sand all my walnut stuff up to 600. I think it makes a tactile and visual difference on low-build finishes. If you are brushing on several thick coats, it probably doesn't matter, but I don't finish most things that way; I wipe on Waterlox and prefer a thin (even if it means more delicate) finish.

[Jeffrey Cole]

Thanks for the help
I should have mentioned that I will be brushing on the Waterlox.