- 1). Wipe the cedar down with a clean, lint-free cloth, or sweep the area if you are going to sand a deck or floor.
- 2). Put on your dust mask. Start with the coarser-grit sandpaper---the lower the number, the rougher the texture. Sand with the grain of the wood, not sideways to it or in circles.
- 3). Wipe down or sweep the red cedar when you are finished, and then move to the finer-grit sandpaper. A sanding block or bare paper works best for small projects like closet shelves or chairs. A hand-sander is good for large tables and armoires, and a belt sander is best for use on a deck or floor.
- 4). Use the finer-grit sandpaper the same way you did the coarser---work with the grain, and don't press too hard. Oil, seal or stain the cedar, or just leave it to age naturally.
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