Clean Up Live Edge Wood

Scrape the fibers off with a nylon or wire brush.

Clean up live edge wood.

If you work across it you may gouge the surface and leave marks. Now if you re planning on finishing your wood with something other than a clear coat apply some of that finish to the side that won t be visible. In this video we will walk you through the process we went through in order to clean up the live edge on our reclaimed wood countertop for our rv bathroom. The cambium layer the fibrous glue that connects the bark to the wood can add depth and character to the edge if you leave it.

This sanding will reveal any checks that should be addressed prior to doing anything else. The first thing to do is to begin sanding to a smooth touch using 120 grit paper. Work your way along the edge of the slab. There are lots of methods for removing bark and smoothing the edge including using a wire brush abrasive pads and balls and the good old disk sander.

I ve talked with a few wood turners that specialize in live edge work and all seem to agree that the bark will come off at some point no matter what you do.