what is sanding sealer

Sanding sealer is a clear liquid base finish that is applied to bare natural wood or to any uncoated wood product. It is a lacquer or another basic coating that contains zinc stearate, which is a soft, fluffy soap that gives the lacquer loft, allowing it to build up faster and fill in pores more efficiently. Sanding sealer helps improve the condition of ensuing coats of paint or finish by sealing the wood pores, which allows the coating to spread out and cover the surface rather than being absorbed quickly. It also helps achieve a smooth, even, and color-consistent surface finish. Sanding sealer is mainly used in woodworking applications, such as smoothing out raised wood grain, sealing knots in wood, and forming a more substantial build. It is also used to reduce the number of coats and time spent sanding, making it easier to get quality results with woodworking projects. Sanding sealer can be used over many surfaces, including raw wood and painted wood. It dries tack-free in 10-20 minutes and can be used with all water-based and oil-based finishes except Endur-o-var. Sanding sealer is easy to clean up, and water-based sanding sealers can be cleaned up with soap and water, while polyurethane and shellac require acetone or paint thinner.