Old timer told me to stop sanding between coats, I didn't listen for 2 years

Alice Murphy · 2026-08-25T07:15:03.573766+00:00

A guy named Ray who's been building kitchens since the 70s told me to lay off the 220 grit between poly coats on maple. I figured he was just stuck in his ways, so I kept sanding like I learned in school. Last month I finally tried his method on a walnut job in Portland, just wiped with a tack cloth between coats instead. The finish came out smoother and I shaved about 20 minutes off each cabinet door. Has anyone else gotten advice that goes against what you were taught but actually works better?

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Old timer told me to stop sanding between coats, I didn't listen for 2 years | Cabinetmakers - Free To Speak