Then sand the sap wood live edge with a smaller headed sander to bring out the color and remove any bark or dirt.
Finishing live edge wood with bark.
Sand the whole surface with 80 grit continuing to 120 on the aggressive setting.
Live edge bowl and turned box.
If you have a live edge slab that you want to finish first peel off any bark in 6 to 8 inch sections using a rounded chisel.
Mark the whole surface with a pencil and slowly remove the pencil with 120 grit.
Bacteria or mold growing under the bark will reduce its bond to the wood store your harvested pieces in a cool dry place.
Then sand the sap wood live edge with a smaller headed sander to bring out the color and remove any bark or dirt.
Cut the stock in the winter when the sap is not flowing.
Bark on natural edge bowl.
Live edge myrtle slab.
There are a couple of things that you can do to improve your chances of keeping the bark on your wood.
Sand the whole surface with 80 grit continuing to 120 on the aggressive setting.
Live edge walnut bench.
Finally use a spray finish such as polyurethane over the bark to get an even finish.
The other thing that you can do is to use thin ca between the bark and sapwood to help keep it on.
Once the bark is gone take a rotary tool with a sanding flap wheel and sand the edges down smooth.
Once the surface is prepped to 120 grit with the aggressive sander move onto a random orbit finishing sander.
A belt sander works as well.
Once the surface is prepped to 120 grit with the aggressive sander move onto a random orbit finishing sander.
Or if you can put it in a kiln right away that is even better.