which sanding pads?

[2manyrocks]

Do people carve their initials in the outdoor park furniture you will be working on or is that something that only happens here in Tennessee?

 

[ArlyA]

Do people carve their initials in the outdoor park furniture you will be working on or is that something that only happens here in Tennessee?

They do have some carvings in them but we don't get overly exciting about it. Actually not all that many, but these tables have been out there well over 10 years, maybe 15 years.

 

[flyerdan]

Since you just want to remove the loose and scuff, how about a 1/3 sheet orbital with scotchbrite instead of sandpaper? That should knock the loose stuff off and not have the divot issues of a circular grinder, and go fairly fast.

 

[ArlyA]

OK, we were out there tonight and took some pics of the stain coming off. AND the only wording carved in the two tables which is in the bottom pic. . About three years ago we followed the instructions of the people who built and stained them. They are into the log home business. They gave us some kind of wood clearing chemical and with its we then scrubbed the table with plastic scrub brushes to get dirt, loose stain and mold off them. Let them dry for a few weeks then re-coat them.

 

[2manyrocks]

My first choice for that would be to pressure wash it. My second choice would be an orbital sander. It's not so beat up that I'd use a belt sander that could leave a rough surface and possibly sand into the fasteners. The deep checkering in the wood isn't fixable by sanding.

 

[ArlyA]

We don't have power or water at these remote location's. After scrubbing them last time, we'll be sanding this time. With generator along.

 

[EddieWalker]

I have 2 belt sanders that I like a lot of removing a lot of material. But I don't like them for finish work, or making something look nice. Once I'm done with the belt sander, I use the orbital, or palm sander, or both with the palm sander being last for the best finish.

Looking at your pictures, I would not use a belt sander. I would bring the orbital with 40, 80 and 120 grit disks. I doubt that I would use anything but the 40.

I think the purple colored disks made by 3M, and sold in the Paint Department at Lowes, are the best disks out there. If you can't find them, Diablo is decent, and sold at Home Depot.

 

[ArlyA]

Just to make you a guys happy, we'll bring our 1/2 sheet sander along..

 

[Sebculb]

Quick palm sanding and paint

 

[newbury]

Yeah, after seeing your pics I'd go with my 5" DeWalt 20v Max ROS, Cubitron discs, a back pac of batteries and my Unger Professional 36" Nifty Nabber Reacher Grabber Tool with a pack of big rubber bands.
I grab the assembled ROS with the tool, strap it with rubber bands and then I've a "ROS on a stick". This lets me use it like a floor buffer, no bending over.

 

[oosik]

Want quick removal? I've used my portable planer on flat wood surfaces. It can be set to only take off the very top surface. It may leave a few ridges. They are quickly removed with a belt sander. I always follow the planer with some form of sander to get the surface smoother.

You are remote - bring along your portable generator.

 

[Woodmanhugh]

We have some large picnic tables we care for which are located at remote locations. The finish is starting to peel so they need to be scraped, buffed and refinished. For cleaning and buffing them I thought I'd bring my generator so I could use my 4.5 angle grinder to do that job with. We'd then blow them off with air compressor when done. What pads might we use? I thought about trying these soft pads in 120 grit.

FPPO 5Pcs 4.5" x 7/8" Nylon Fiber Flap Disc Polishing Grinding Wheel,Scouring pad Buffing Wheel for Angle Grinder, Polishing Tools (Grit 120) View attachment 755689​

View attachment 755688

I am with the guys who recommended the random orbit sander. Start with perhaps 80 grit and move up to 150 grit for a swirl free sanding.
i have tried all sorts of finishes for my picnic table. They all failed until I used real Tung oil thinned with citrus solvent. There is a company ( real milk paint) where you can order it online. It is not a petroleum product. It is simply pure Tung oil. Several coats of that will give you a nice oiled finish that will not peal because it soaks in and is not a disappointing surface finish.

 

[Surshot]

I use an old porta Cable 4x24” belt sander with 60, 80 and 120 grit belts. Sand with the boards not across. Get a good grip, it will want to pull you across the table. It will cut the old crud off.
Once you get use to one a bit, it does not take very long to straighten up an old wood table top, steps, rail or deck. Just buy a box of belts per grit, keep the belts inside, they last a long time.

 

[sandytrail]

You might want to find the detailed description of those discs you show. They look like what I use to get paint and rust off of metal. Get you an orbital sander and 80 grit for the first go around and then 220 to smooth it out for staining or paint. Recommend stain. It does a better job of protecting the wood.

 

[ArlyA]

Got it done with 60 grit 4x24 belts and it took about 6 of them. They'd get gummed up with tree sap. It did get treated with preservative/stain and will post pics when I can process them.

 

[Rockbadchild]

Got it done with 60 grit 4x24 belts and it took about 6 of them. They'd get gummed up with tree sap. It did get treated with preservative/stain and will post pics when I can process them.

I forgot to mentioned there is sticks called ojffuue Abrasive Cleaning Stick made to clean sand paper it works really well and extend the life if sanding paper.

Hojffuue Abrasive Cleaning Stick Sanding Belt Band Drum Cleaner Sandpaper Cleaning Eraser for Belt Disc Sander Tool 35X35X105mm : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement

Hojffuue Abrasive Cleaning Stick Sanding Belt Band Drum Cleaner Sandpaper Cleaning Eraser for Belt Disc Sander Tool 35X35X105mm : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement

www.amazon.ca

 

[ArlyA]

I forgot to mentioned there is sticks called ojffuue Abrasive Cleaning Stick made to clean sand paper it works really well and extend the life if sanding paper.

Hojffuue Abrasive Cleaning Stick Sanding Belt Band Drum Cleaner Sandpaper Cleaning Eraser for Belt Disc Sander Tool 35X35X105mm : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement

Hojffuue Abrasive Cleaning Stick Sanding Belt Band Drum Cleaner Sandpaper Cleaning Eraser for Belt Disc Sander Tool 35X35X105mm : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement

www.amazon.ca

I have them, but didn't bring it into the field with us. This table is quite large and the surface in rough shape so i was happy with the life I got out of the belts.

 

[Rockbadchild]

I have them, but didn't bring it into the feild with us.

ha k right on, lots of people don't know about this product so I figured I would mentioned it.

 

[ArlyA]

I few pics taken yesterday. Seems if we'd had used a orbital stander, we would still be out there sanding away.

So much material was taken off, the 4x24 was the best way to go.

Who is the fine looking, yet hard working guy?

 

[ArlyA]

Cleaning up to dump some finish on it. How long will this preservative last? This table is in rough shape so it might be on its last leg.