How to Sand Small Crevices and Tight Corners

Some people think that sanding is a tedious and time-consuming process, but it doesn't have to be. If you know the right techniques, then you can get your job done quickly and efficiently. In this blog post, we will go over how to sand small crevices and tight corners so that you can finish your project in no time!

Table of Contents

What Is Crevices and Tight Corners?

A crevice is usually developing a crack or break. This is widely shared with other materials. The crevice is the space between one layer or barrier and another layer of obstacles.

A complicated or space where you cannot easily get out of is a very tight space. Sanding in tight spaces is very difficult as none of the tools can reach there. You will need something like a belt and tapered detailing sanders or mesh sanding belts.

Related: Belt Sanders Buying Guide

Sanding Crevices Tool

Orbital Sanders
Hand Blocks
Oscillating Tools
Rotary tool
Bowl sander
Contoured sanding grips
Converted oscillating toothbrush
Sandpaper Shaves
Utility Knife
Files and Rasps
Dremel Tools

Before you start sanding small crevices and tight corners, watch the video:

Sanding Small Crevices (2 Options)

Option-1: How to Sand Small Crevices and Tight Corners by Hands? [4 Methods]

Can you sand small crevices and tight spaces by using hand-made tools? Of course, you can do it manually with hand-made tools. For doing this, you need to follow below methods.

Method-1: Sanding Crevices with Sandpaper

1
You can also use it to get to the nooks and crannies of masonry.
2
You should buy sandpaper with a grit number that indicates how effective you will be in smoothing the woods. Sanding depends on the number of grits.
3
When sanding with an earlier grain would be useful, you can use finer or rougher grits. When working in the studio, you must have adequate lighting.
4
Until you start sanding, you need to clean the area you want to apply the finish. A clean solution has been applied after many applications of the scrubbing process.

Thinking of sanding crevices with sandpaper? Here are some great tips to help you make beautiful and smooth finishes.

Method-2: Sanding Crevices with Folded Sandpaper

1
If you want to use your sandpaper more effectively, fold it into a knife.
2
The next step can also include rolling the paper into a cylinder or a tube. In other words, it fits tightens or smooths those tight spots where you can't be sanded.
3
Hold the sandpaper with your fingertips over your thumb and fingers, and use your other hand to smooth it.
4
Firmly grab and release all the corners of the material, moving from one side to the other.
5
Consider using it as a saw blade, and things can proceed more easily.

Related: Sander for Stripping Cabinets

Method-3: Sanding Crevices with Sanding Blocks

1
A sanding block yields better results than using coarse paper. If you apply even pressure in both corners, it helps to maintain a level surface and disperses it. To build these blocks manually, you can choose the appropriate dimensions and design.
2
A Sand block usually has one smooth side and one that is almost flat. You may need to take a saw to a small piece of wood and turn it into a table.
3
Next, sand the surface with a fine-grit sandpaper. Alternatively, you may use clips or clamps to maintain the alignment of the paper.
4
You will often be able to find pre-mixed sand for DIY projects and fully customized sand at retail stores.
5
You can use these block sanders with one hand, but not both. It keeps the machine running in difficult-to-to-reach areas. The edges and corners of wood surfaces can be treated with a sand block.

Related: Spindle Sanders Buying Guide

Method-4: Sanding Crevices with Liquid Sandpaper

1
A sanding device like the liquid sander is perfect for light-sand projects. It can fit into any odd spaces with minimum aggressiveness. Liquid sandpaper is also called de-glosser.
2
It is much more widespread than rotary tools. However, it should be noted that sandpaper must be changed regularly.
3
This liquid solution is more challenging to work with than conventional sandpaper. De-glosser is suitable for any project you have in mind: rough surface no matter where you might be cutting. Either keep it free of fine dust or add de-glosser to any wood, whatever you like.
4
After 15 to 30 minutes, examine the product's finish and determine whether a coat is required. Anything can be done, regardless of the size of the crevices. You can seal the wood after applying the perfect paint or varnish if you want to.

Related: Best 1/4 Sheet Sanders

Pro-Tip: How to Make Liquid Sandpaper At Home?

Liquid sandpaper is another name for soft wax. Many prefer to create their carpets rather than to having them de-glossed by professionals. In people's minds, it is not huge, but it can make an enormous impact on fine cracks; the small head allows the glue to be effective.

An oscillating brush can also think of as a de-glosser.
To prepare the epoxy grout, cut off the toothbrush's bristle with a wire cutter.
Then apply the rubber to the belt. Initiate the liquid sandpaper by using sandpaper to the rubber back.

Option-2: How to Sand Small Crevices with Power Sanders? [5 Methods]

Various sanding options are available for sanding in tight corners. It's incredibly reliable and can be used in all kinds of applications, but it's very costly to operate.

Method-1: Sanding Crevices with Detail Sander

1
You will need a detailed sander if you want to do tight corners sanding. More often than not, an orbital sander is used to sharpen, not refine.
2
Unlike orbital sanders, which use parallel flat pads, the detail sander has triangular pads.
3
Because of its triangular form, it fits in tight spaces. On use, this tool allows you to get smoother, more delicate work.
4
When you use the detail sander, you can first turn the furniture over and work on it on one side. This technique does a better job than using rotary sanding.

Related: Palm Sanders

Method-2: Sanding Crevices with a Rotary Tool

1
Do you worry about how to get sand into small crevices efficiently? Then the rotary tool is an excellent accessory for you. Since it rotates, a rotary tool is more helpful in removing tight space imperfections.
2
For detail sanders, it offers the same wear as detail sanders. It's best to have a quality sanding pad rather than quantity if you want quality work done.
3
This apparatus rotates around one point of rotation. As you begin drawing with the rotary tool, it will force pressure-edit the cursor against the place you're drawing to. This will polish and even out the surface.
4
A rotary tool includes sanding disks and sanding drums, amongst other accessories. It doesn't look good on a rough surface. It's also faster to skim the floor plan before sanding.
5
When you're using thin or fragile-looking cuts, it seems as though you're missing something. The rotary sander is very aggressive on delicate surfaces

Related: DA (Dual Action) Sanders

Method-3: Sanding Crevices with Dremel Tools

1
Dremel abrasives are a solid alternative tool to sand small crevices that are hard to reach.
2
They are also known as self-align speeders. However, when the tools are running, they rotate at various speeds.
3
In addition, you can connect various forms of attachments to these tools, such as different sizes and type extensions. Additional gizmos include the spinning heads, oscillating heads, pointy saws, various other varieties of a saw.

Method-4: Sanding Crevices with an Orbital Sander

1
An orbital sander has an abrasive pad that oscillates over the surface. This hand-held sander allows you to apply power in any direction. In other words, if you consider it the perfect path to work, it is.
2
By rounding off edges and adding great touches, it provides more benefits.
3
You can efficiently work around the curve with a smooth and curve-able shaping tool, like a sanding disk. It also makes sharp corners and fine edges for you.
4
There are some different kinds of random orbit sanders out there. When using a random orbital sander on wood, you don't need to pressure the tool.

Method-5: Sanding Crevices with File Sander

1
The file sander has greater accuracy when used carefully and with fine sandpaper.
2
It can get to places that other objects can't. A belt easily reaches around the corners.
3
There is a miniaturized version and a more substantial model of this tool to fit different jobs. It is used for fine- and medium-grit sanding.

6 Secrets for Sanding In Crevices

1. The right paper makes all the difference

For sanding crevices, you can use good quality sandpaper for battling your innate frugality. Conventional paper is wasted time and money. Good sandpaper costs more, but it does a better job quickly, has a longer life, and gives a consistent surface. You can use aluminum oxide papers starting with the finest grain size, progressing to 220, and ending with paper.

If you apply a relatively even coat of finer grit sandpaper, you'll need to dry-sand it to help avoid excessive build-up. It takes me 400, then 600-grit silicon paper to wet sand and apply two coats of paint. When you can't complete a composition any longer because the cutter's output doesn't meet your expectations, stop and try another one. The biggest gain from this paper is the prospect of saving a lot of trees.

2. Flat panels need finesse

Panel faces should only be power-sanded, not hand-sanded, and the job should be done with light pressure in rake motions. As for delicate or smooth edges, hand sanding provides more control than using a power sander.

The attention to every detail, such as when all is perfect, enhances the overall impression of importance. Slight or more extensive arching has needed to achieve continuity, as well as effectiveness.

3. Know when to get wet

When tasks are finished, you may frequently want to include liquid. If you apply a water-based stain or finish, it is prudent to pre-plan the grain and sand it again afterward to limit grain growth when the stain or sealer is applied.

Many finishes need to be cleaned up using either water or mineral spirits to scuff the scuffing compound. Here you will need wet/dry paper and a water-resistant board.

To learn more about Wet Sanding vs Dry Sanding click here

4. Save time with custom backers

Often, the best way to accomplish a goal is to use a unique backer. These two things demonstrate how you can speed up your work: One is industrial, and the other is homemade.

DOUBLE-EDGE DUB

With the appropriate type of V-shaped sanding backer, you can sand both arises of a panel simultaneously. Following up with the rolling over technique leaves a soft, fluffy finish.

SPLINE SLIDE

A hardboard-like spline is a versatile shaft for accessing nooks and crannies you want smooth, not constricted movement. So, its thickness is critical by holding a screw with the press-flat edge, press in until it stops against one side of the groove, then the other. Continue to tilt the tape back and forth to remove any remaining tape fibers.

Decorative tempered hardboard, which is a ½" to 1/8" thin, is a good sander board to use for shallow grooves.

5. Navigate curves with control

Curved moldings, beveled ends, and other non-circular shapes callouts warrant complementary grits because they get roughed out much more efficiently. In some instances, you can obtain dowel and resin scraper to make shop-made backers.

You can also find all kinds of sanding options available in the market. Curved backers can particularly benefit from self-muting sandpaper.

6. Detail sanders get into tight spots

Are you excited to know about how to sand in small crevices precisely by using a detail sander? To successfully achieve an interior scroll or detailed finish surface, you must utilize stiffer working media into the openings or create the spaces. It aids in pressing and taming the work with media that has already been roughened. Use an emery board or paper-dowel for smoothing, or an inexpensive sander with fine paper or 120-grit sandpaper.

Final Words

People are using their hands to finish all various wood designs with sandpaper. There is a diverse range of power sander options in the marketplace. When it comes to preliminary tasks, sandpaper can prove the most useful.

To do a better job, choose the right finishing sanding tool to do the more satisfactory work. If you have rough crevices and tight corners to be filled, you can also trust the non-powered ones to help you with the job. We're hoping that some of these concepts support your project in some way.

How to Sand Fiberglass? [A Complete Guide]

How to Sand Latex Paint?