Sanding Sealer

[Travis]

I've read in several places that people who paint their projects use Sanding Sealer. I'm not sure what this is. Could someone tell me what it is, how to use it, and where to find it? I do a fair amount of painted projects, but haven't had great results. Maybe this is what I need.

[Fran]

Travis, I have never used a "sanding sealer", but back when I was doing a lot of painting on pine, I used the clear shellac. It dries very fast and after a light sanding leaves the wood soooo smooth. It also seems to prevent the rosin from seeping through. A lot of times I would use Kiltz (sp) as it would protect from the rosin also.

I am intrested in what others have to say about the sanding sealer.

Fran

[The MediaBoy]

Travis, a sanding sealer is normally applied to porous wood before staining. By porous wood I mean pine, birch, or any other wood that normally bloches (light & dark areas) when it is stained. The theory is that the sealer 'seals' the areas that absorb more of the stain and provides a more uniform stain application. You apply the sealer, let it dry, and then scuff-sand it just like you would between coats of the final finish.

 

Fran is correct, clear, dewaxed shellac is a great sanding sealer. You can also use polyurethane cut to a 50/50 mixture with mineral spirits (which is basically what Minwax sells as sanding sealer).

 

You say that you are painting the wood, so you may want to use a primer rather an sanding sealer. But either should work since they both do basically the same thing. Once again Fran is right on target - Kilz is an excellect primer to use before painting.

 

Hope this helps.

[Travis]

Thanks for the info. Maybe a primer would be the way to go. You think a spray-on primer would work? I'm looking for ways to speed up the process. I'm guessing spray-on primer would go on too thin.

[The MediaBoy]

I hardly ever paint, so I really wouldn't be any help there Travis. But it sounds like spray-on primer would at least be worth a try. If you decide to try the spray stuff let us know how it turns out.

 

While we're on the painting wood topic, I've also read that you can coat the end or side grain of the wood with drywall joint compound. Let it dry and sand it smooth as silk. I do remember that the few pieces that I have painted that the end grain was tough to get smooth. And even when it was smooth it soaked up the paint like a sponge.