Progressive Sanding and Imperfection Filling

What happens here

For reclaimed wood, the goal is to smooth the surface without erasing its character. Begin sanding the entire tabletop with a random orbital sander using a fine grit sandpaper, such as 220 grit. This higher starting grit minimizes the removal of the weathered patina. Sand in a consistent pattern, ensuring even coverage. After the initial pass, inspect the surface for any knots, holes, or other imperfections. Fill these areas with a suitable wood putty, allowing it to dry completely as per the manufacturer's instructions. Once dry, sand the filled areas flush with the surrounding wood, then progress through finer grits (e.g., 320, 400) over the entire surface until the desired level of smoothness is achieved. Regularly vacuum or wipe away dust between grits to prevent scratching.

Goal: Systematically sand the entire tabletop using progressively finer grits, starting with 220 grit to preserve the weathered appearance, and filling any knots or imperfections with wood putty before continuing with finer grits for a smooth finish.