Preparing and sanding oak doors....

[DIYNotIan]

Hi all

Hopefully my last question now about these doors - they are being hung next week and once they are up they're up!!!

Over the next few days though, I've been told by my carpenter and the door manufacturer that it would be a good idea to fine sand the doors. They have been sanded during manufacturing, but are still a bit rough to the touch.

1. I've got some 120 and 240 grit paper. What would you use? Or should I use one and then the other?

2. Someone recommended I use a damp cloth or sponge BEFORE sanding to bring up the grain and help them sand better (let the doors dry though before sanding). Not heard of doing this before and just wanted to check what you guys think.

Cheers

Max

 

[billshields]

Yes, that recommendation is correct - raise the grain, allow to dry, then sand. You may be able to go straight for the 240 grit if the door has already been sanded, but if that seems to take a long time. start off with the 120

 

[maltaron]

Correct advice. Remember, NO STEEL ON OAK. Use brass hinges and screws. If the oak is really hard you can put a steel screw in first the remove it and fit the brass one. That way you are unlikely to shear the brass screw.

 

[DIYNotIan]

Thanks guys - I'll get to work....

Remember, NO STEEL ON OAK. Use brass hinges and screws. If the oak is really hard you can put a steel screw in first the remove it and fit the brass one. That way you are unlikely to shear the brass screw.

Someone else mentioned that as well. And it did worry me because the doors will have iron door furniture, but the screws that come with the furniture are steel. I do believe that the screws use to put the doors together are steel as well.

So i looked into...

I was told that the problem with steel in oak is that it will react with iron WHEN WET and cause the oak to blacken/discolour. So I was told that this would not be a problem because the doors are all internal.

What do you think? Seems there are real mixed opinions on this....

 

[DIYNotIan]

One additional question if I may....:

When I have finished sanding, what is the best way to remove the dust caused by the sanding?

Cheers

Max

 

[DIYNotIan]

OK.... one door sanded! I have not "cleaned it up" or removed the dust yet, aside from giving it a once over with a soft brush.

I usually use a soft brush followed by a cloth dampened with white spirit. But that's for general woodwork with things like MDF. Not sure whether the same treatment is recommended with oak.

And at over £100 per door, i really don't want to mess them up before they have even been hung!

Many thanks

Max