Expert Advice: How to choose the right sandpaper 

Deciding how to choose the correct sandpaper can be tricky. Sandpaper (or wet and dry) is a commonly used tool for smoothing and shaping wood, metal, and other surfaces. However, with so many different types and grits of sandpaper available, it can be difficult to know which one to use for a particular project. In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of sandpaper, their grits, and what they’re best used for.

The different types of sandpaper

The most common types are aluminum oxide and silicon carbide.  

• Aluminum oxide is the most versatile and widely used, as it works well on a variety of surfaces and materials, including wood, metal, and plastic.
• Silicon carbide is a harder and sharper type of sandpaper that’s often used for sanding metals and other hard materials. 

The grits

Grit refers to the size of the abrasive particles on the sandpaper. The lower the grit number, the coarser the sandpaper.

• Coarse grits, such as 40-60, are used for heavy-duty sanding and removing old finishes.
• Medium grits, such as 80-120, are used for general purpose sanding and preparing surfaces for painting or staining.
• Fine grits, such as 150-220, are used for final sanding and preparing surfaces for a smooth finish.

What are you sanding?

When choosing the correct sandpaper for a project, it’s important to consider the type of material you’ll be sanding.

• For wood, a medium grit such as 100 or 120 is typically used for rough sanding and a fine grit such as 150 or 220 is used for final sanding. However, if you’re working with a harder wood like maple, you may need to use a slightly coarser grit like 80 or 100 to get the same results.
• For metal, a coarse grit like 40 or 60 is typically used for heavy-duty sanding and a medium grit like 120 is used for final sanding.

Consider the type of finish you are after

It’s also important to consider the type of finish you’re looking for. If you want a smooth finish, a fine grit sandpaper is the best choice. However, if you’re looking for a rough, rustic finish, a coarse grit sandpaper is the way to go.

Are you polishing by hand or with a sander?

Another factor to consider when choosing sandpaper is whether you’ll be sanding by hand or with a power sander.

Power sanders have different disc sizes and each will take different grits of sandpaper. It’s also important to check the manufacturer’s instructions for the type of grits that can be used with a specific power sander

Micromesh – flexible sandpaper 

Micromesh – the cushioned abrasive is an incredible product. Moleroda is Europe’s largest distributor of Micromesh from Micro-Surface in the USA.

Micromesh is famous for polishing and cleaning aircraft windows and Transparencies,  but even if you don’t own an aeroplane, you can use it for polishing acrylic, glass, fibreglass, granite, ceramic, copper, jewellery, marble, stainless steel and even fingernails.

Whats more, Micromesh is more flexible than sandpaper. Micromesh is a cushioned abrasive It’s easier to get into small and irregular surfaces and the chance of scratching is reduced

To sum up…

The type of sandpaper, grit, and material you’re working with are all important factors to consider when choosing the correct sandpaper for a project. Aluminum oxide and silicon carbide are the most common types of sandpaper, and the grits range from coarse to fine.

It’s important to start with the coarser grits when sanding and gradually move to the finer grits for a smooth finish.

Consider your project, materials and the type of finish you’re looking for and match it with the sandpaper choice.

Make sure to consult with the manufacturer’s instructions, if you are using power sander. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that you choose the right sandpaper for the job and achieve the desired results.

More Information about Sandpaper or Wet and Dry

For more information on sanding give us a call – we have experts here who have been polishing with felt for years! 

And take a look at our You Tube page for videos of us hard at work sanding!