Sanding for oil finish- How Far to go

[Edwin Santos]

When sanding to a higher grit, the grain and pores have finer and finer scratches in them. This results in there being a higher level of chatoyance. The finer the scratches the better for reflectivity.
https://www.chatometry.com/ultra-fine-sanding/

Chat GPT provided some interesting commentary on ultra high grit sanding and chatoyance:

Sanding to ultra-high grits can potentially enhance the chatoyance or the "tiger-eye" effect in certain wood species. Chatoyance refers to the optical phenomenon where certain woods exhibit a change in luster or color as they're viewed from different angles, often creating a shimmering or iridescent effect.

Sanding to higher grits contributes to chatoyance in a couple of ways:

Surface Smoothness: The smoother the wood surface, the more light can interact with it, enhancing the visual effects caused by the wood's natural figure and grain patterns. Ultra-high grit sanding can further refine the surface and allow light to reflect and refract in interesting ways, intensifying the chatoyant effect.

Finish Application: If you're applying a clear finish, like varnish or oil, to the wood after sanding, the smoother surface can help the finish adhere more evenly and create a more reflective surface. This can accentuate the chatoyant properties of the wood.

However, it's important to note that chatoyance is primarily a property of the wood's inherent figure and grain pattern. Not all wood species exhibit strong chatoyance, regardless of how finely they are sanded. Some woods are naturally more prone to displaying this effect due to their unique cellular structure and the way light interacts with their fibers.

Additionally, chatoyance can also be affected by the angle of the cut or the way the wood is finished, not just by sanding alone. Experimenting with different finishing techniques, such as using different clear coats or applying dyes, stains, or oils, can also influence the chatoyant effect.

In summary, while sanding to ultra-high grits can contribute to enhancing chatoyance in some wood species, the primary factor in this visual phenomenon is the wood's natural figure and grain pattern. Sanding is just one aspect of the overall finishing process that can help bring out the best visual qualities of the wood you're working with.

It's important to note that sanding to such high grits is not always practical or necessary for every project. The improvements in finish quality and aesthetics become less noticeable as you go beyond certain grit levels. Many woodworkers find that stopping at a grit between 220 and 400 is sufficient for most projects. If you're unsure, you might experiment with sanding a small test piece to different grits to determine the level of smoothness that meets your expectations.

In summary, sanding to 600 or 1000 grit can yield exceptional results in terms of surface smoothness and finish quality, but it's a decision that should be made based on the specific requirements and goals of your woodworking project.

[Edward Weber]

Well, it would seem that the Chatbot and I are on the same page on this topic. It was bound to happen sooner or later

[Andrew More]

Well, it would seem that the Chatbot and I are on the same page on this topic. It was bound to happen sooner or later

It's probably parroting your words after scraping this site and others.

[Edward Weber]

It's probably parroting your words after scraping this site and others.

I kinda' doubt that, since I'm usually in the minority on this subject.