How to Sand Wood Furniture Before Staining (80–400 Grit Guide)

Proper sanding is the foundation of every beautiful wood stain finish. Whether you’re refinishing an antique dresser or building a new side table, the way you sand determines how evenly the wood absorbs color and how smooth it feels to the touch. This guide explains how to sand furniture effectively before staining, ensuring professional-quality results.

Why Sanding Before Staining Is Critical

Wood fibers compress and fray during milling. Sanding opens the grain evenly, removes scratches, and prevents blotchy or uneven stain absorption. The right grit sequence ensures a silky-smooth finish while preserving stain penetration depth.

Recommended Tools

• Orbital sander or sanding block for flat areas.
• Detail sanding sponge for corners and carvings.
• Wet/dry sandpaper (80–400 grit).
• Vacuum and tack cloth.
• Wood conditioner and chosen stain.

Ideal Grit Sequence

• 80 grit – Remove old finish, dents, or scratches.
• 150 grit – Smooth the surface and prepare open grain.
• 220 grit – Final sanding for balanced stain absorption.
• 400 grit – Optional fine sanding for high-sheen finishes.

Step-by-Step: Sanding Furniture for Stain

1. Clean the surface. Wipe away dust and dirt. Remove any old paint or lacquer using 80 grit or a stripping agent before sanding.
2. Initial sanding. Start with 80 Grit (25-pack) to remove imperfections. Sand with the grain to avoid cross marks. Don’t linger in one spot—keep motion consistent.
3. Refine texture. Move to 150 Grit (50-pack) to refine the surface. At this stage, the wood should feel smoother but still porous enough for stain.
4. Final smoothing. Finish with 220 Grit (100-pack) wet/dry paper for even grain. Wipe with a damp cloth to raise fibers slightly, then re-sand lightly for a velvety touch.
5. Optional polishing. For fine hardwoods like maple or cherry, a quick pass with 400 grit adds a silky finish before staining—but avoid over-sanding, which can seal the pores and reduce color depth.
6. Apply wood conditioner. On softwoods like pine, apply conditioner to prevent blotching. Let it dry according to the label, then proceed to staining.

Special Cases

For veneered furniture, avoid coarse grits—start at 150 grit to prevent sanding through the thin veneer layer. When refinishing antiques, sand gently and preserve original contours. If you’re staining end grain, sand finer (up to 400 grit) to reduce absorption and achieve a uniform tone.

Pro Tips

• Always sand in the direction of the wood grain for a clean look.
• Use bright, angled lighting to reveal scratches and missed spots.
• Clean thoroughly between grits—dust particles can cause deep scratches.
• Don’t skip grits—each step removes scratches from the previous one.
• Test stain on a hidden section first to confirm tone and penetration.

Aftercare

• Allow stain to dry fully before applying topcoat or polyurethane.
• Wipe excess stain evenly to prevent streaks or dark spots.
• Lightly sand with 400 grit between finish coats for a flawless sheen.
• Use felt pads under furniture legs to protect your new finish.

FAQs

• Can I skip 80 grit on new wood? Yes, if the surface is already smooth—start at 150 grit instead.
• Why does my stain look uneven? Likely due to uneven sanding or missing wood conditioner on softwoods.
• Should I wet-sand before staining? Only if you plan to raise the grain intentionally—always re-sand lightly afterward.

Watch & Learn

By sanding furniture from 80 to 220 grit—and finishing with optional 400 grit—you’ll create the perfect foundation for rich, even stain color and a professional-grade wood finish.