Sanding Wooden Chairs: 80–220 Grit Sandpaper Sheets

Wooden chairs are both functional and decorative, but years of use can leave them scratched, worn, or coated with layers of old finish. Refinishing chairs with 9x11 inch sandpaper sheets restores their beauty and prepares them for new stain or paint. eQualle’s wet dry silicon carbide sandpaper sheets are reliable for every stage of chair restoration.

Why Sand Wooden Chairs?

Chairs often have intricate shapes and receive heavy wear. Sanding removes old finishes, smooths edges, and ensures coatings adhere properly. Without sanding, paint or stain may peel, chip, or look uneven on curved surfaces.

Tools You’ll Need

• eQualle wood sanding sandpaper sheets
• Sanding block and foam pads for curves
• Detail sander for spindles
• Vacuum and tack cloth
• Protective mask and gloves

Best Grit Sequence for Chairs

• 80 grit — Strips paint, stain, or varnish. 80 Grit (50-pack).
• 120 grit — Smooths after heavy stripping. 120 Grit (25-pack).
• 180 grit — Refines the surface for coating. 180 Grit (25-pack).
• 220 grit — Final sanding before applying stain or paint. 220 Grit (100-pack).

Step-by-Step Chair Sanding

1. Start with 80 grit sandpaper sheets. Remove old finish and paint using folded sheets for spindles and curves.
2. Switch to 120 grit. Smooth rough areas and erase marks left by coarse sanding.
3. Continue with 180 grit sandpaper sheets. Even out the surface for a consistent texture.
4. Finish with 220 grit. Lightly sand for a flawless, paint- or stain-ready finish.

Special Cases

For antique chairs, sand lightly to preserve wood details. For chairs with carved accents, fold sheets or use foam pads to reach grooves without damaging edges.

Pro Tips

• Always sand with the grain to prevent scratches.
• Vacuum dust from joints and corners before applying finish.
• Use wet dry sandpaper sheets for finer sanding indoors with less dust.

Aftercare

• Apply stain or paint immediately after sanding for best adhesion.
• Maintain chairs with gentle cleaning and occasional touch-up sanding.
• Store leftover sheets flat and labeled for future use.

FAQs

• Do I need to strip all the old finish? Yes—sanding works best when the wood is exposed.
• What grit should I stop at? 220 grit is the standard for final prep.
• Which pack is best? A 220 Grit (100-pack) is the most practical for refinishing multiple chairs.

Watch & Learn

Bring wooden chairs back to life with eQualle 9x11 in sandpaper sheets. Shop more options in the Wood Sanding Collection.