Sandpaper coarseness is graded by number, the higher the number the smaller the grain and the finer the sandpaper.įor most DIY home jobs you will want sandpaper grades ranging from 80 up to 360. It’s useful to familiarise yourself with the three main grades or grits of sandpaper and their uses before choosing the right sandpaper for the job you are doing. Note each abrasive will wear out at a different rate depending on the hardness or softness of the surface being sanded. It comes in various grades ranging from coarse to fine and can be bought on paper or cloth backing. Glass Paper is made, as the name suggests, from ground-up glass, It is used predominantly for dry sanding timber. Wet abrasion also called wet sanding is used to achieve a very fine finish, it involves using water or some lubricating liquid when sanding to remove the smallest of particles. Garnet Paper comes with a paper backing for dry abrading and a cloth backing for wet abrading. It is suited to manual sanding or it comes in disc belt or sheet form for electric sanders There are a variety of different sandpapers on the market each designed for specific tasks.Įmery paper is used to sand metal surfaces and is available in boards, cloths or discs for use with electric sanding tools.Īluminium Oxide is commonly used in dry sanding and is available in a wide range of grades. Either way, using the wrong grit sandpaper will leave an imperfect finish. Similarly, playing it safe by using too fine a sandpaper, will not only be labour intensive, it can also result in failure to remove the imperfections on the substrate entirely. Using sandpaper that is too coarse can cause damage not easily remedied, like leaving deep scratches on the surface. It’s very important to use the right type of sandpaper and the appropriate grade or grit. Steel wool and sandpaper are the most commonly used abrasives and the process can be undertaken manually or with an electric sander.įor the purposes of this guide, we will look at different types of sandpapers and their specific uses. On the other hand, where a surface is too smooth or glossy, the paint will have difficulty attaching so sanding with sandpaper or steel wool is used to roughen the surface to make it a little easier for the paint to adhere to.ĩ Final Thoughts Why Choosing the Right Abrasive Is Important For example when applied to old flaking paint a new coat will not adhere properly. However, while it can be a laborious task to sand down a surface in preparation for painting, it’s a vital step to ensure a good quality finish. When embarking on home improvements, the temptation is to dive straight into the most rewarding part. Sanding can make little imperfections and signs of wear and tear on furnishings, doors, wooden floors and walls in your home disappear. It’s a practice that dates back to 13th century China and for many years has proven its usefulness in making surfaces smoother, removing layers of unwanted material e.g.old paint or rust and in some cases making a surface rougher to allow paint, glue or filler to adhere better. However getting this part of the process right is essential to achieving a great finish, and there may be more to it than you think.įrom removing rust on patio furniture to sanding down wooden floors, in the simplest terms, the process of sanding is smoothing a surface by rubbing it with something rough or abrasive. Sanding is one of the most common preparatory tasks in home decorating and is sometimes taken for granted. Whatever the DIY project, there’s always a certain amount of preparation involved.
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