Cover adjoining cross grain sections of the wood before sanding. When sanding flat surfaces, it is convenient to wrap the sandpaper around a small block of wood or a blackboard eraser in order to ensure even pressure. For grooves and crevices, fold squares of sandpaper in quarters. Folding the sandpaper over itself will keep it from slipping. You can use fine steel wool although it may discolor some woods such as oak.
Emery cloth torn in strips is excellent for smoothing deep turnings when used shoe-shine fashion.
Wipe the sand dust from the surface frequently with a cloth dampened in turpentine. Be sure the wood is smooth as glass. Stain Stain brings out the beauty of the wood and helps match varying shades of wood. If your wood has a nice natural color or if the stain has not been removed, you will not need to use stain. Remember that any type of clear finish will darken the wood somewhat and magnify the beauty of the grain and wood pattern.