Common culprits include using worn-out sandpaper, applying uneven pressure while sanding, or sanding against the wood grain. Understanding these causes is crucial for effectively preventing pigtails and achieving a flawless finish. The good news is that pigtails have a short list of causes, and once you understand them, they are surprisingly easy to prevent. Pigtails are tight spiral scratches created during random orbital sanding. In this video, Nick will walk you through the essential steps. Eliminating pigtails from any surface can be a challenging and. However, even with careful execution, an unwanted issue known as “pigtails” can arise, diminishing the quality of the finish.