Sanding To 12000 Grit

How to sand wood. But not just how to sand wood to 220 grit. Start to finish video showing the transition in sheen by sanding from 100 grit, all the way up to 12,000 grit. And every grit in between. Eventually finishing the slab with Odie’s Oil, a wipe on finish that can be applied to any wood, sanded to any grit.
I don’t use Odie’s oil anymore, check out this out this video of a higher sheen while only sanding to 240
• Perfect Finish in a Du...
New wood finish: amzn.to/3eP2xZG
Micro mesh: amzn.to/2R4XRoH
Epoxy I used here: amzn.to/2tkNm7E
Festool orbital sander: amzn.to/2TyQN5d
Festool Vac: amzn.to/38sJr7J
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[@DragonGateDesign]

Just spent 9 minutes watching a dude Polish his wood and not disappointed at all, looks awesome

[@BlacktailStudio]

😂 best comment yet

[@unicornwarhammer1926]

I used to polish my wood to Black Tail magazine. Different outcome

[@00ironcross]

PUSSY!!!! HAHAHA. ...

[@BraxtlyTools]

I couldn't have said it better! Great video!

[@grahamhunt9077]

What a great finish...!!!✌️

[@rashpalsingh1918]

I have done some woodworks in the past but this woodwork plan kzbin.infoUgkxZF0EMnrujZvqHhGkxiz559uIABJWR9TG helps me do much in a far lesser time than i used to do i have already built several projects with this plan and i intend to do many more soon. Thank you so much!

[@alvindueck8227]

I'm actually quite impressed. Didn't know we could get 12,000 grit sandpaper. Great result. Great work.

[@chrissouthall411]

I can't find any in the UK above 7000. Real disappointment

[@Abdur1025]

you get can get sanding stuff up to 100K but that's is nanodiamond abrasives that is in liquid form its like waxing with a cloth but you gata use a super fine cloth for that

[@benjaminshields9421]

Look for bowling ball sandpaper. I use it all the time on my (bowling) balls

[@outdoorperson6411]

Abrasive paste (for steel) goes all the way op to 250,000 or even higher but it measured by the micron not grit I’ve heard the very fine abrasive used for finishing telescope parts would be 0.005 micron or over one million grit but for any typical purposes it’s pointless

[@holohulolo]

@@chrissouthall411 I can't find any above 5000

[@amymclaughlin7373]

It's beautiful. You mentioned the growth rings; that's my favorite part of the finish. They have a pearlized, silky look.

[@schpeidermann]

People call me crazy for sanding up to 4k grid..haha! Now I definitely go for 12k to try it out! Your sanding was totally worth it!

[@BlacktailStudio]

I’m with ya!!

[@2000sborton]

I always polish my wood projects to a high grit. What I really like is how it brings out the fine details in the wood grain.

[@toadjones79]

I usually go 800 to 1500. Anything above 600 brings out a metallic flecking that usually only gets associated with rare ancient woods.

[@thomasanderson6426]

Yea, every time I go to a 2000, 2500, or 3000 I wonder why wood workers don't recommend it. Sometimes I can get hard woods to look like stone. I guess the line of reasoning is that it won't accept finish, but sometimes it looks like it doesn't even need finish.

[@romanmeisenberg1224]

@@thomasanderson6426 What do you recommend for maintaining and caring for the surface after such a high grit sanding? Furniture wax? Polish? I am thinking to restore some tables and go to about 3,000 grit. Thanks!

[@GulfCoastRocketry]

Wow! That looks awesome! A piece of art. Thanks for sharing.

[@VAspeed3]

I've polished boxwood to a nice shine with 2000 grit sandpaper, but didnt know you could get any finer than that. Now I'll have to look for some 4000, 8000 and 12000 grit.

[@robertwalker8400]

Going to have to try this! I'm an amateur woodworker. I have been following your channel for a while. Ive taken quite a bit of inspiration from your videos. I currently have just the festool ETS 125 REQ. Just this evening, I placed an order for the 150 rotex, the 6" sandpaper systainer³ with interface pad and hard pad. I also ordered the OF 1010 router with the LR32 hole drilling set and 55" hole drilling rail. Hoping to improve my finishing on my projects. Keep up with the awesome work!

[@jrmproductions3569]

Doing a kicka$$ computer desk for my son with rainbow popular. Doing it in 12k because of this video. I'll email you the final product when I'm done. Thanks for all your hard work and teachings

[@greatitbroke]

Odies is awesome. Higher the sand the more it likes it. Awesome stuff. Love that stuff.

[@DarrenD777]

Amazing! I remember back when I was in high school - wood shop class I used a (I think it was just a 400 grit) on a rectangular orbital hand-held sander for like 45 minutes and it began to shine like that. I figured the sand particles had begun to break down into smaller pieces (kinda like they had become 800 grit). The wood began to really shine - but I'm sure it was much less than the amount you have at 12k! Beautiful work, nice logo, great piece! Thanks for sharing!

[@BlacktailStudio]

For sure! Love that worn down sandpaper for a high polish!

[@zoravar.k7904]

Sawdust itself is very good for burnishing since it will contain some abrasive silicates and some resins, shavings are typically used by woodturners to burnish their pieces. It was likely that you were rubbing sawdust into the surface giving it a sheen.

[@whitewolf8758]

Wow I like that final look! Many years ago my father told me once that the smoother the surface the smoother your finish will look. He was a painter and did alot of finishing on wood of all types. I am a finish carpenter by trade and pretty much build custom furniture now days. I have not really explored in the finishing level much as I really dont want to set up for it.

[@BlacktailStudio]

I’m no pro finisher. Bet I could have learned a lot from your dad

[@elguapo9628]

That's really nice, man. Beautiful. Great job!

[@SteveBCCrabb]

I like the natural shine of the 12k polishing. Personally, I think of sanding as bringing the wood's grain detail into focus. This higher you go the clearer the grain patterns!

[@ThemansHomeBrew]

Subscribed! Love the polished aesthetic. An equally beautiful way to display the natural wonder of wood. Thanks for the video!

[@stewartperry7797]

Though late to the party… I love this look. I make rope fids to 2000 grit and straight up teak oil… only. I do a wet sand starting at 1500 to help prevent ring rise and keep the part cool. I use hard woods of all kinds and get a nice glass finish. Nice work! Made me a new sub.

[@haidafulton]

Nothing comes up when I Google ring rise. What does that mean?

[@stewartperry7797]

@@haidafulton wood grain has aged rings /growth rings. They stand out mostly when cutting across the grain. When you sand a crosscut grain (or any grain) the grain has a light/soft and dark/hard surface and when apply sanding to it the soft grain sands away more easily than the hard grain. That is called ring rise. Hard grain sticks out. Harder to sand away than light/soft. Hope that is easy to understand

[@mikematthews1959]

I think doing things out of the box is how we get to learn alot. Thanks for the video, I really liked the shine as well as the oil shine. Actually going to give it a try on some wall art

[@BlacktailStudio]

Oh thanks man! Love to see what you come up with.

[@martijn0104]

Wow, such an amazing piece of nature and hard work. Keep up the good work man

[@TedAlexander24]

What a nice piece. Great videography. A very educational video, including your interaction in the comments section. I hope the views take off on this video.

[@kathybirkett7986]

I can think of a couple of my current projects on which I will try this method. That's very cool!

[@garybarchas4984]

That piece just made made me follower! It will do your office proud! You're right about finishing a table that way but for wall art, it's outstanding.

[@BlacktailStudio]

Oh thanks Gary!

[@BigFro420]

Made my skin crawl when you used the spreader!!!! Ahhhhhh😱😱😱

[@JasonFiske]

This is awesome. I love it. I’ve been curious about this for quite some time. Thank you.

[@jenniferlehman326]

Stunning piece!! 💖 Thank you for sharing this video!! From Ontario, Canada, Jenn. 💖 💖 🇨🇦 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

[@aaronm336]

Fantastic job, I personally think it turned out great. Kudos to you my friend. Thank you for the video.

[@mambojambostudio]

Aaron M i think it’s recessed and full with epoxy so it’s too deep to sand away with fine grits like this

[@AirohThird]

I loved the result so much that I will try this in my next project! Thanks for sharing

[@BlacktailStudio]

Thanks!!

[@montanaboom1]

Have seen your sign in lots of your videos Cam, and it always looks Great! Excellent job there. And as I type this message, you are @ 998K subs! Getting really close to that 1 Million mark! Congrats!

[@jbucha48]

Looks great. I have used Micro Mesh when I used to turn pen on the lathe. Loved it.

[@2102jeffrey]

Terry towel is THE magic for Odie’s! Fantastic piece.

[@BlacktailStudio]

You know that well!

[@bill50013]

Marco took the words I was going to say. Absolutely amazing.

[@BlacktailStudio]

Marco is pretty good with them words... and thanks!

[@kbentch]

Loved watching the process and how the wood turned out. I am just starting out on my woodworking journey and love your channel. Keep up the good work. Ignore all trolls!!

[@Itstheoutputs]

Hey Cam, I always sand my boxes up to 10,000 grit. Depending on the wood, I might not even put a finish on them. I just love the feel and smell of wood and I hate the feel of “thick” finishes. So, yeah, it’s worth it. BTW: I’m about 1/4 of the way through your old vids and I’m lovin it.

[@BlacktailStudio]

That’s awesome! I won’t say the same about my early videos though.

[@romanmeisenberg1224]

What do you recommend for maintaining wood after such a high grit? I am thinking of restoring some tables and rather than using a finish I'd like to sand it to like 3,000 grit. Should the buyers be waxing it periodically?

[@mountainlightwoodcraft]

It matters nor what others think of why we choose to do what we do. I've sanded projects to 8k or even 12k before, just to see what it would look like. Nice job. And yes, most high quality oils will go nicely over highly polished surfaces and last for years without a retouch. Nice CNC work.

[@wangofree]

Wow, actual background music. Never heard that in all your other Videos Cam. Love each one.

[@MsRocketRoy]

Stunning, just lovely!

[@andyadams1832]

Hey Cam. Really nice sheen on the wood. Keep them coming. Andy

[@mubarakaalshamlan600]

Amazing work and finish. I think it worth the effort for some thing very special to be like this. Thank you for sharing.

[@BlacktailStudio]

I’m glad you think so!

[@lalosandoval2347]

Worth every minute, thank you

[@markchoitz443]

love those vacuum clamps, thanks for the demo, really nice

[@BlacktailStudio]

They are awesome. And thanks!

[@osamaejaimi9192]

so beautiful i would love to see a whole bedroom made exactly like that.. i mean the wood, the grits, the finish and the overall color

[@sdscottie5]

Such a beautiful result! Love the high polish - especially for a sign. Give the beauty of the wood and the end result, I might use it on a table. Thanks for all the insight on the sandpaper types, brands and durability as well.

[@johnsumner2987]

I just restored my carbon fiber hood so I can really appreciate what you're doing here. Great job.

[@BlacktailStudio]

That’s awesome! Never worked with carbon fiber

[@johnsumner2987]

Neither had I but I figured it is an old hood and I wanted to learn so why not.

[@Malicious2013]

Personally, I like the high grit because I don't know if anyone else noticed, but the contrast of the wood started to really pop around 1500+ grit when it was polishing more than removing material. Some unfinished or very lightly finished pieces could really benefit from that effect, especially dealing with signage.

[@JayReidy]

Took a slab of dark walnut to 2200 once. It turned out great. Happy to know there's even finer grit available.

[@deltazeesolutions7016]

Mesquite wood is so hard that it takes on this kind of sheen starting at 600 grit. The colors and prismatic effect really start to pop. We take it up to at least 800. People are really losing out on an amazing finish if they don't take it to a higher grit. Thanks for the video.

[@Madmun357]

It's the hardest wood in North America. And it's BEAUTIFUL.

[@karl_alan]

@@Madmun357 That doesn't necessarily feel right to me. Aren't there some ironwood species that grow in the deserts here and in Florida? Also, I know for a fact that osage orange grows in a lot of places in the southern US, and it's almost twice as hard. I might be misremembering though.

[@Madmun357]

@@karl_alan I could be wrong, but I read it somewhere. I turned a bowl out of mesquite once. It'll do a number on your tools. Keep the sharpening stones handy. It's a gorgeous wood!

[@JMerv80]

@@Madmun357 Janka Scale Mesquite 2,345 lbf (10,430 N) Osage Orange (bois d'arc) 2,620 lbf (11,654.34 N) I've worked with both on the saw/lathe and have seen sparks fly from dry bois d'arc multiple times.

[@MrF4ihonda]

Turned out amazing! Good job!

[@BlacktailStudio]

Oh thanks!

[@sandynix5268]

🤩I‘m jealous ☺️ That looks absolutely fantastic, definitely worth the work. Great piece of art!👍🏼😊 But I would do anything similar just for myself.😉 Just found your channel and I love it. Thanks for sharing.

[@johnfalls4438]

Totally worth it, wonderful!

[@stauffap]

You seem to have highlighted the chatoyancy a lot with this method. Beautiful!

[@codacreator6162]

Holy smokes! What a finish!

[@BlacktailStudio]

Oh thanks!

[@waynepenner3971]

Beautiful, I think that piece sanded to that grit is fabulous

[@BlacktailStudio]

Thanks!!

[@ronwebb8332]

Any amount of extra work you apply to a piece of artwork is worthwhile. It's beautiful.

[@BlacktailStudio]

I appreciate that Ron. Thanks for saying so!

[@4your.837]

I love your informative vids, its almost like meditating listening to your voice. The wood you transform is simply Amazing. Regards

[@BlacktailStudio]

Oh thanks!

[@erichaltomwoodworking7363]

That turned out great!!!

[@BlacktailStudio]

Oh thanks!

[@eldoradocraftsman3733]

Love it. It celebrates the Almost 100% natural beauty of real wood. 👏🏾👏🏾

[@BlacktailStudio]

Good call Ashley!

[@Lib3x]

i don't know if it's a known method, but i learned from my teacher in woodwork that if you make the wood wet and wait a couple of minutes for the fibers in the wood to rise and then use a heatgun to dry it in between the finer grit you will get a silk smooth and very shiny finish :)

[@BradsWorkbench]

Simon Almén similar to what people call raising the grain I believe

[@rodneylove8023]

A rifle builder told me it's called wiskering

[@miatafan]

This definitely works, When repairing/ refinishing rifle stocks I would use an iron to steam out dents and cuts in the wood and to raise the grain for further sanding.

[@prestonhoffman5695]

Turned out great! I almost think sanding the wood to a higher sheen is an easier method of finishing than sanding the clear finish. Granted, you may not be able to use all the finishes available, but it seems more error proof. I often sand to 1000 grit and then use tried and true oil finish (bees wax/boiled linseed oil mix).

[@heriberthuber54]

Same here Don't like to put chemicals on my wood. I use foodgrade linseed and wax.

[@Dan-jq8se]

Outstanding sign...thanks for sharing. BTW...I'm a big fan of Odie's Oil. It makes walnut and Sapele really glow.

[@BlacktailStudio]

Never worked with Sapele (yet). Would love to though!

[@Dan-jq8se]

@@BlacktailStudio Sapele is a cost effective substitute for mahogany. It machines well and it loves hand tools. When treated w/Odies Dark oil it takes on sone gold tones. It's a great wood.

[@daviddelossantos3368]

Crazy beautiful!

[@guitartec]

Micro Mesh is the most incredible unaffordable non abrassive... abrassive. I have pounds of used Micro Mesh from 1500 to 12000 grit. Most of it is from the late 90's when I worked at a Trombone factory. I mostly have small 2400 grit pieces that were cut up to spin-clean the interior of the hand slides using an electric drill with a rod. They made one pass and tossed the piece. My buddy saved all the pieces, so I have hundreds of them. I use them to shine guitar frets and some woods. I end with 4000 grit to make frets glow! I wish it was cheaper to buy as I need more 4000... lots of it.

[@BlacktailStudio]

I think the cost has come down. It was about $2/pad. Which is pretty good for this type of abrasive.

[@bretpemberton2968]

Beautiful job

[@alansimpson596]

Simply stunning so many thanks.

[@BlacktailStudio]

Oh, thank you for saying so

[@joshtube0]

mate, looks amazing, will definitely try a high sanding grit at least once for such a nice finish :)

[@marcovelez942]

Absolutely amazing 👌💯💕 what a work of art 🙌 I'm at a loss for words

[@BlacktailStudio]

Awe shucks Marco... thanks so much.

[@gregmislick1117]

@@BlacktailStudio just did something in the same vein - magnetic knife holder... I only went up to 000 steel wool equiv, then several coats of Danish oil (Watco if it matters) then I tried to burnish it using 3M "Finess It - II" which is listed as used to remove scratches from 1500 or finer grit in automotive clear coat. So, nowhere near what you did, but the burnishing process completely changed the nature of the finish giving it a depth that you don't get from lower grit + a finish (at least I don't) You're my hero ! Beautiful piece.

[@BlacktailStudio]

Greg Mislick that’s awesome! Fun trying new methods, surprise ourselves with the results sometimes

[@paulnovak833]

Loss for words? You should get out more

[@marcovelez942]

@@paulnovak833 I don't see the correlation in appreciating someone's hard work/project/work of art and not being able to articulate it in writing and your comment "you should get out more" however even idiots are entitled to their opinion so thank you for sharing yours 👌😂

[@markkoons7488]

Spent the day with a wood sculptor who is questioning how far to take his sanding. Now forwarding your link to him and expect to do some experimentation with your process and materials too. Thank you.

[@BlacktailStudio]

Oh thanks!

[@concernednewfie]

Hoping my first wood project ever turns out this good. A slice of Red Amboyna burl to be displayed on a shelf. Highest grit I have is 3000 though. Looks like I may need those final grits. Thanks for all the tips.

[@davevasquez5010]

Well now... that gives me some ideas. Looks great.

[@BlacktailStudio]

Thanks! Enjoy!

[@russsherwood5978]

yup,, well worth the the time you put into this

[@393strokedcoupe]

Gorgeous!

[@BlacktailStudio]

Hey thanks!

[@atupe]

Beautiful

[@rodcosta2345]

Welp - just watched 10 mins of sanding... worth it!

[@BlacktailStudio]

😂 That’s hard to to, thanks!

[@garyknight8616]

Superb result.

[@BlacktailStudio]

Thanks!!

[@gunsmoke67]

Wow what an awsome result. those growth rings seems like it's 3D. I have never gone more than 320 grit but now i may go as high as i can get.

[@BlacktailStudio]

Oh nice!

[@cluelessbeekeeping1322]

amazing!

[@KrazeeG]

Table saw, Numero Uno.👍

[@austinburke4023]

Sick! Will make one heck of a sign!!!

[@BlacktailStudio]

Austin Burke oh thanks! I hope so!

[@paulcupach8196]

I love it!

[@jeffloveless6536]

Very nice. I think I'm gonna try that technique on a walnut table I'm building.

[@BlacktailStudio]

Awesome!

[@shanejohnson800]

Amazing !!

[@davidwiggins26]

I've only gotten as high as 3,000 and had to do everything over 1500 by hand. I am definitely going to get some of those pads for my Festool sander! And yes, Odie's comes through clutch on ALL grits!

[@BlacktailStudio]

That’s awesome!

[@YAKuzaKauaiKayakFishing]

Amazing!!!

[@BlacktailStudio]

Thanks so much!

[@SC-dz7xw]

Definitely worth the effort

[@BlacktailStudio]

Appreciate that 🙏🙏

[@peterking2651]

Really cool, thanks

[@charleshetrick3152]

I love doing projects like this, the only thing I do differently is a liberal use of a product called Sea-Fin “ship to shore” from Dalys. I give a nice flood coat before starting after the 60 grit sanding. Then reapply after 180, 800, 3000. I stop at 5000 then give a final coat and then use an untreated buffing pad. The result is astonishing. The product soaks into the pores of the wood but doesn’t have an emulsion so you’re still left with mostly highly polished wood. It evens out the hardnesses between the different densities of the wood fibers so you get an absolutely flat surface instead of the rings and knots standing up a bit.

[@BlacktailStudio]

I’ll have to check that out!

[@tonydavis6632]

Hi Cam, love the video! I noted your comment about max grit for sanding before applying a finishing usually being 220-320. This being the case, how do we create a smoother finish eg 600g if we only sand up to 320?

[@my2centz196]

It was beautiful. I made a desk for my daughter and I took it to 2000 grit. It came out beautifully smooth and after I put the oil stain on it it was smooth like glass and shiny as glass also.

[@BlacktailStudio]

That’s awesome!

[@fatwallet13]

nice one.

[@jamesmuthiani5680]

I'm more interested in how you made the table top! Got a video for that?

[@MrAnimal1971]

It's good to do this to remind us just what is possible with a bit more effort.

[@joshmccarthy7943]

Mate great job

[@BlacktailStudio]

Thanks!

[@WertJhg-nh9ix]

Hi I sanded a solid teak console table top to 10,000 grit. Looks great. Will it absorb teak oil or hard wax oil? The legs are 320 grit so that should be fine. Thanks

[@mattwatson9095]

I think the super high grit is project specific. It was awesome for this one! Love that high sheen finish. God Bless.

[@Oldmankingspiffy]

Gorgeous

[@BlacktailStudio]

Well thanks!

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Nice job. Where did you get the sandpaper holder container?

[@BlacktailStudio]

People always ask that! On amazon. It’s an art bin

[@darrenswoodworks8695]

Blacktail Studio thank you

[@smilinbrian9659]

LOVE IT

[@ibrahimkocaalioglu]

wow love it ❤

[@marchofwolves]

I love that, I love love it , defiantly worth it

[@BlacktailStudio]

Oh thanks!

[@lukecico5155]

To any of you who watch this channel and say “that looks easy. I want to try”. This is not a spectator sport. I started by finishing an old cherry set. Inspired by this channel. First, practice, nightstand I did a lot of stuff wrong. But, in the end, put minwax satin poly on it, and it’s passable. Second nightstand, I was more careful, and tried the Rubio. Came out Ok. Loved the finish. In the third piece, the long dresser. A lot of problems, though I thought I was super careful and had this down. After fourth sanding (100/120 orbital, 150/180 hand) I thought I was good. Put on the Rubio and it looks like scheisse. First was these furry wood blotches I subsequently tried to take out with light sanding in one direction. Thought I got it. But the Rubio brings those areas out as smudges. Looks terrible. Then I noticed these other smudges that look like pigtails. I closely inspected the sanded wood and didn’t see these until I put on the Rubio. My eye is not trained. Believe me I thought I was super careful. This takes a lot of practice. Don’t know what I’m going to do in my case here. Probably should have minwaxed it. Hides a lot. Good luck!

[@kevindowd7769]

I have always wondered how high you could sand/polish wood... I have produced a nice sheen with 600 grit done by hand... this is really cool... Thanks Cam!

[@BlacktailStudio]

Ya man!