[header] How to finish wood [title] Sand down the wood. [step] Wood will have flaws like scratches and dents. Whether marks have come from the machines at the mills, or it has become scratched or gouged during handling, or from wear and tear. 
Before applying any stain, finishing, or paint, you need to sand down the wood to allow you apply to new materials and prevent the flaws from being highlighted. [substeps] If the flaws in the wood aren't sanded away, the finish that is applied will only highlight and expose any marks or scratches.