Sanding Wooden Drawers: Smooth Prep for Painting or Staining

Wooden drawers often become worn, sticky, or rough after years of use. Sanding is the essential step before painting, staining, or refinishing to ensure smooth operation and a polished look. This guide explains how to sand wooden drawers effectively.

Why Sand Wooden Drawers?

Sanding removes old finishes, smooths rough spots, and preps the wood for new coatings. It also ensures drawers slide more easily by smoothing friction points. Without sanding, paint or stain may not adhere properly, and drawers may remain uneven.

Tools You’ll Need

• Wet/dry sandpaper sheets (80–400 grit)
• Sanding block or orbital sander
• Sanding sponges for corners
• Vacuum and tack cloth
• Wood filler (optional for cracks)
• Paint, stain, or clear coat
• Protective mask, gloves, and goggles

Recommended Grit Sequence

• 80 grit: Strip old paint, varnish, or stubborn roughness.
• 120 grit: Smooth surfaces after coarse sanding.
• 180 grit: Refine the wood grain for even texture.
• 220–400 grit: Final prep before staining, painting, or sealing.

Step-by-Step: Sanding Wooden Drawers

1. Remove drawers. Take drawers out of the furniture and remove hardware.
2. Start with 80 grit. Use 80 grit (25-pack) sheets to strip old finishes.
3. Smooth with 120 grit. Switch to 120 grit (50-pack) for even sanding.
4. Refine with 180 grit. Use 180 grit (100-pack) for consistent finish.
5. Finish with 220–400 grit. Sand lightly for a silky surface before applying stain or paint.
6. Clean surfaces. Vacuum dust and wipe with tack cloth.
7. Apply finish. Paint, stain, or clear coat as desired.

Special Cases

For antique drawers, avoid aggressive sanding to preserve detail. For veneered drawers, use only fine grits to prevent sanding through the thin veneer layer. For sticky sliding drawers, sand the sides and runners lightly with fine grit for smoother operation.

Pro Tips

• Sand with the grain for best results.
• Label hardware for easy reassembly.
• Change sandpaper often to maintain cutting power.

Aftercare

• Apply a protective topcoat for durability.
• Wax drawer runners to keep drawers sliding smoothly.
• Clean with gentle wood-safe products only.

FAQs

• Do I need to sand inside the drawer? Not always—focus on visible areas unless the inside is rough.
• What grit is best before staining? 180–220 grit ensures even stain absorption.
• Can I hand sand the drawers? Yes—hand sanding gives control for small or detailed areas.

Watch & Learn

Sanding wooden drawers ensures smooth finishes and better paint or stain adhesion. Stock up on wet/dry sandpaper sheets—packs of 25, 50, and 100 available across all grits. Shop drawer sanding sheets here.