I agree! I normally use 100 grit and a block of wood, blow dust off and cover it. Like a guy at the field once told me. "Who cares what they look like. I'm here to fly and have some fun"

As a beginner, the wrinkles in the covering should cover up most of the nicks and gouges in the wood anyhow!

Now if you're plan on entering your plane in the Toledo Show, then I'd find myself a book on how the professionals do it.