Advanced Shelf - Finishing (Wood Filler, Sanding, Pre-stain, Stain)
At 13:00 in
3 Ways to Build Floating Shelves
What happens here
Once the wood glue has dried, apply wood filler (Minwax Wood Filler) to any gaps, nail holes, or imperfections. Allow the filler to dry completely. For sanding, set your random orbital sander to a lower oscillating speed (half of maximum, e.g., 3-4 out of 6) to avoid sanding through the thin plywood veneer. Start with 120-grit sandpaper, then move to 220-grit. For rounding the edges slightly without removing too much veneer, use a small piece of 240-grit sandpaper and gently roll it over the edges by hand. This creates a softer, less sharp feel. Clean off any sawdust. Apply Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner to prevent blotchiness on the plywood, allowing it to sit for 5-15 minutes before wiping off the excess. Finally, apply the Minwax Wood Finish (Weathered Oak) stain within a two-hour window, as done with previous shelves.
Goal: Achieve a smooth, even, and well-stained finish on the advanced shelf.
Tools and materials
- 120-grit Sandpaper — Initial sanding after wood filler
- 220-grit Sandpaper — Final fine sanding
- 240-grit Sandpaper — Hand-sanding edges for a softer feel
- Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner Minwax — Preventing blotchiness before staining
- Minwax Wood Filler Minwax — Filling gaps and nail holes
- Minwax Wood Finish — Staining the shelf
- Rag — Applying pre-stain and wiping excess
- Random Orbital Sander Festool — Sanding the shelf surface