wet sanding

[DWFII]

hello,

I'm new to the forum and pretty much a tyro at woodturning, but I read somewhere or the other that some folks like to sand a turned piece with oil and wet/dry paper. Supposedly this raises the grain slightly (which then sands off nicely) and combined with the dust the oil fills in any open pores in the wood. I feel like I might need something of the sort with some Texas mesquite I'm currently turning. Any advice, yea or nay, or any comments on this technique would be greatly appreciated.

TIA

[Baz]

I wet sand, normal sanding method up to 800 grit, decrease speed and wet bowl with oil (Organoil) and sand with 1200 wet & dry, keep applying oil to get a nice slurry then power sand with a piece of 1500 Webrax. Increase speed and dry using a soft dry cloth. Hope this helps.
Cheers
Barry
PS. Be warned you will spray oil around your workshop.

[DWFII]

Baz,

Thank you for your reply. If I may...? What is Organoil? Would something like Tung or even linseed oil work? What is Webrax? Is it that non-woven steel wool substitute?

Can you friction polish and shellac a piece after using this technique?

thanks again...

[Baz]

DWF11, Organoil is tung oil with additives blended here in Australia, several different types. Webrax is a 3M(I think) product, looks like scotchbrite, a woven plastic scouring pad, available in 3 different grades, 800, 1200 and 1500. Hope this makes sense.
Cheers
Barry

[DWFII]

Baz,

Thanks again. Pretty much what I figured. I'll try wet sanding with a bit of tung oil and get some of the sanding pads like you are talking about.

I appreciate the help.