Invisible marks in sticks?

[Richard Underwood]

I have a problem with marks showing up after i put the stain on my sticks, I try to find them but they dont show up until they are stained. Do any of you have a way to find these unwanted stop cut marks and rough spots. I sand and sand and still have them. Do you wet them down or apply something to make them show up? Any help would be apreciated.
thanks Richard Underwood WVa.
undie3423@yahoo.com

[BrandantR]

If you spray the carving lightly with a little water, those marks will pop right out so that you can deal with them.

[Clifford_Parker]

Spray them with some water or wipe down with a damp cloth.

[carver33]

Another method is to look along it when it's held up to a light. Point one end of the stick at a light and put your eye very close to the other end, look down the stick and rotate. Turn the stick end for end and repeat. Little scratches and blemishes will show up this way.

[xsailer]

I was in a Shipley class a while back and went outdoors to get some fresh air. I had carried with me my pretty nearly finished piece. While looking at it, all of the areas that would have shown up as unworked popped out like a sore thumb. I suppose with a different light shining bright made the difference. Lesson learned for me.

[dnstehly]

Bill and Bob, above, are both giving you good advice. Do it with light! The final step for any of my sanded sticks is to hold it at an extreme angle under a magnifying light and examine it end to end in both directions. While doing this I use a rotary sander with 220 grit and, going with the grain, take out any offending marks.

[Bill]

I use paint thinner to check for scratches, it doesn't raise the grain.
After I apply the paint thinner I use magnifier and circle the spot with
scratches after it drys I can see all the bad spots.
Bill

[Richard Underwood]

thanks everyone !
Richard Underwood WVa.
undie3423@yahoo.com