Aluminum oxide versus silicon carbide versus ceramic
Aluminum oxide is the versatile choice for most wood and paint sanding. Silicon carbide is better for fine finishing and wet sanding, while…
Setup & accessories
Help choosing sandpaper grit and format for wood, paint and refinishing jobs.
Choosing
Open Coat Versus Closed Coat Paper
Open-coat paper leaves more space between abrasive grains to resist clogging, while closed-coat paper has more complete grain coverage for…
Sanding metal versus wood: different paper
Metal and wood can sometimes be sanded with the same abrasive, but the right paper depends on the material, the finish you want, and…
Storing Paper Flat So It Does Not Curl
Sandpaper curls most often when its paper backing takes on moisture unevenly or sits unsupported. Store sheets flat in a dry, stable place,…
Grit
How not to skip grits
Skipping sandpaper grits can leave scratches that the next grit cannot remove. Use the previous grit to establish the surface, then move up…
How sandpaper grit numbers work
Sandpaper grit numbers indicate how coarse or fine the abrasive is. Lower numbers remove material faster, while higher numbers leave a…
CAMI versus P-Grit Numbering: What the Labels Mean
CAMI and P-grit are separate sandpaper grading systems. Their numbers often line up at common grits, but they are not guaranteed to be…
P80 to P180 Sequence on a Door
For a bare, solid-wood door with noticeable defects, use P80 only to remove high spots or deep scratches, then refine the surface with P120…
When 220 Is Not Fine Enough Before Water-Based Poly
For many projects, 220 grit is a suitable final sanding step before water-based polyurethane. Go finer only when the wood and finish call…
Technique
Hand-sanding end grain to a higher grit
End grain can absorb finish differently from the faces of a board. A slightly finer final grit may help, but the right stopping point…
How to sand between coats
A light scuff between coats can smooth raised grain and help the next layer adhere. Let the finish dry as directed, use fine abrasive with…
Sanding sealer then 320 instead of jumping grits
A light 320-grit sanding is often appropriate after sanding sealer dries, but it does not erase scratches left by skipping grits on bare…
Sanding with the Grain vs. Random Orbit Marks
Hand sanding with the grain creates scratches that follow the wood fibers. A random-orbit sander leaves a fine, multidirectional pattern.…
When to replace a disc that still looks unused
A sanding disc can be worn out or unsafe before it looks used. Check its cut on scrap, inspect the abrasive and backing, and replace it if…
When to Stop Sanding Before Stain
Stop when the surface is uniformly smooth and free of visible sanding scratches—not simply when it feels polished. The right final grit…