<human>:  How do I properly sand a piece of wood for a smooth finish?
<bot>: To sand a piece of wood for a smooth finish, start by choosing the right type of sandpaper. Choose a grit that is coarse enough to remove any rough edges, but not so coarse that you will leave noticeable scratches in the wood. Then, use a sanding block to evenly apply pressure as you sand in a circular motion, keeping the sandpaper flat against the surface. Remember to sand with the grain of the wood and always work up to a finer grit. Once the desired finish is achieved, vacuum away any dust and apply a coat of wood sealer to protect the wood.