Remove all surface contamination by wiping the surface with a lint-free cotton rag dampened with a solvent such as acetone or denatured alcohol. Use acetone for oily hardwoods. Allow the solvent to evaporate completely, then abrade the wood with 80-grit or coarser sandpaper. Remove all sanding residue and wipe the surface clean with one of the specified solvents. Allow the surface to dry completely before applying epoxy.