Surface & FinishThe sanding and finishing sequence that actually removes the previous scratches.Art & DesignEach grit exists to remove the marks left by the one before it.1Shape firstFinishing will not correct a form that is still wrong.2Work through the grits80, 120, 180, 240, 320. Never skip more than one step.3Check in raking lightA low light across the surface reveals every scratch left.4Raise the grain, on woodDamp the surface, let it dry, then sand lightly again.5Seal, then finishSealer first, then oil, wax, lacquer or paint in thin coats.Educational reference. Dust and solvent vapour need extraction and afitted mask; read the safety data sheet before use.Surface & Finishlearnposters.com
Surface & Finish — printable design wall chart from LearnPosters. Free vector PDF, US Letter and A4.

Surface & Finish, step by step

Each grit exists to remove the marks left by the one before it.

  1. Shape firstFinishing will not correct a form that is still wrong.
  2. Work through the grits80, 120, 180, 240, 320. Never skip more than one step.
  3. Check in raking lightA low light across the surface reveals every scratch left.
  4. Raise the grain, on woodDamp the surface, let it dry, then sand lightly again.
  5. Seal, then finishSealer first, then oil, wax, lacquer or paint in thin coats.

Educational reference. Dust and solvent vapour need extraction and a fitted mask; read the safety data sheet before use.

Questions about the Surface & Finish poster

What’s on the Surface & Finish poster?
5 numbered steps. Each grit exists to remove the marks left by the one before it. Shape first — Finishing will not correct a form that is still wrong.; Work through the grits — 80, 120, 180, 240, 320. Never skip more than one step.; Check in raking light — A low light across the surface reveals every scratch left.; Raise the grain, on wood — Damp the surface, let it dry, then sand lightly again.; Seal, then finish — Sealer first, then oil, wax, lacquer or paint in thin coats.. Educational reference. Dust and solvent vapour need extraction and a fitted mask; read the safety data sheet before use.
Who is the Surface & Finish poster for?
Surface & Finish belongs to the Art & Design section rather than to a school year, because design is not something one grade owns. Anyone learning form & 3d can pin it up — a beginner, a student mid-course, or someone revising years later.
When should you use the Surface & Finish poster?
Use it on any made object whose surface will be seen or handled. A wall chart earns its place by being glanceable from where the work is happening, so Surface & Finish belongs on the wall where that design work actually happens, within glancing distance, rather than filed away.
What other posters go with Surface & Finish?
Modelling & Carving, Armatures and Clay & Firing sit alongside Surface & Finish in the Art & Design section. Printed together they make a wall rather than a single sheet, which is how a reference set actually gets used.Modelling & CarvingArmaturesClay & Firing
Is the Surface & Finish poster free to download and print?
Yes. Surface & Finish downloads as a free PDF with no account, no email and no watermark, like everything else in the Art & Design section. Print as many copies as you like for a home, a classroom, a library or a tutoring group; reselling the file is the only thing the licence rules out.Read the licence
What size does the Surface & Finish poster print at?
Surface & Finish is a vector PDF laid out for US Letter, and prints on A4 with Fit to page — the same file, no separate download. Because every mark on it is drawn rather than photographed, it stays sharp enlarged to A3, A2 or A1 at a copy shop. Colour carries emphasis only, so a greyscale print of Surface & Finish loses nothing.Printing guide

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