Sanding Paper

Sanding paper sheets are widely used in the commercial sector and also for DIY tasks at home. From being the first step of painting the house to removing the existing coat on the car, sandpaper comes in handy in every way.   

These particular types of papers are also referred to as glass paper, abrasive paper, or grit paper. Constructively these papers have a sheet of paper or cloth which has abrasive material on the other side. These papers are also used as a powerful tool to increase efficiency. Here they are known as the power sending tools and used to remove the material efficiently and quickly. These tools serve effectively to prepare and smooth any surface for painting or any other application. You can find these papers in sheets, discs, or belts to suit different needs. Here is everything you need to know about wet and dry sandpapers.   

Everything you need to know about sandpaper grit   

Sandpapers are used as a powerful tool to smooth any surface by hand. These papers help to remove dirt swiftly. Thus, they are the right choice for getting rid of blemishes or for levelling or shaping wood. Power sanding is also an effective way to prepare metal surfaces before painting or polishing. Hand sanding products give a lighter touch for finishing and woodworking. Here you can have better control over product throughout the sanding process, and thus you can sand areas that a common mechanized power sander cannot reach. With proper techniques and types of paper, you can align and smooth any surface with perfection.   

Natural abrasive based sandpapers  

There are different types of sandpapers available in the market. One way to determine what sandpaper works for a particular job is to know the abrasive materials and their properties. Among the natural types, garnet is a reliable option for hand sanding. It works well on raw wood, preparing the surface for finishing and removing light scratches. Here the abrasive particles break during use and offer renewed edges for removing materials, but the paper wears too quickly. Emery is another common type of works for both power and hand sanding. It uses coarser grits, usually best for removing paint or rust.   

Artificial abrasive based sandpapers  

In this category, aluminium oxide is a common sandpaper type that works fine on metal, plastic, wood, and drywall. The long particles break during sanding and regularly expose sharp new edges. These papers are a long-lasting and thus popular choice of professionals for power sanding. You can also use the silicon carbide sandpaper that removed materials quicker than previously mentioned; however, it does not last long.  But you can use it on plastic, metal, or wood for rust removal, pre-panting, rough sanding, or sanding between coats for finishing. Zirconia alumina is also popular and suitable for metal, wood, fibreglass, and painted surfaces.   

Everything about sandpaper grit numbers  

When you head to buy sandpaper blocks for sale, you will find the variety available with different grit numbers. Here the grit number indicated the size of abrasive particles. So, the lower the grit number larger the abrasive particles will be; they remove more material while creating more noticeable scratches. A higher number also indicated smaller particles that do not remove as many materials but leave a finer and polished surface.  Also, each higher grit removes scratched from the previous grit and deliver a finer surface. There is a wide range of grit from 24 for heaviest removal to 2000 and more for working with automotive finish. Whereas grit between 60 to 220 can handle most of the household projects. 

Mandatory sanding tools   

To get the best of your sanding paper, you will need to work with some standard sanding tools. A hand sander or sanding block is the essential tool you will need to cut the sheet to size. This tool also offers control, comfort and leverage and thus generates more results on a flat surface. Likewise, pole sanders also accept sandpaper sheets. And you can use them to sand bigger surfaces like drywall. At times you will also need orbital sanders, also known as sheet or finishing sanders. These are handheld power tools that use smaller sheets of sandpaper attached to a base. Other devices, such as drills, oscillating tools, and rotary tools, can use bits and accessories designed to handle sanding jobs.