Grit too coarse under a thin film finish
Coarse sanding scratches can remain visible through lacquer, polyurethane, shellac, and other thin film finishes. Here’s how to identify…
Troubleshooting
Help choosing sandpaper grit and format for wood, paint and refinishing jobs.
Grit
Troubleshooting
Disc flying off a random-orbit sander
A disc that flies off a random-orbit sander usually points to a worn or dirty hook-and-loop pad, a mismatched disc, damaged backing, or…
Grit scratches that will not sand out
Deep sanding scratches usually need a controlled grit progression rather than more pressure with the same paper. Learn how to identify the…
Hook-and-loop discs not sticking: Causes and fixes
Hook-and-loop sanding discs usually stop sticking because the backing pad is packed with dust, the pad hooks are worn, or the disc and pad…
Hook-and-loop pad worn smooth
A hook-and-loop sanding pad that has become smooth usually cannot hold discs reliably. Learn how to check for packed-in dust, identify a…
Paper loading immediately on pine pitch
If sandpaper loads immediately on pine pitch, the abrasive is usually heating and picking up softened resin rather than cutting cleanly.…
Sanding sponge tearing at the corners
A sanding sponge usually tears at the corners because the foam edge is catching on a sharp surface or receiving too much pressure. Check…
Sandpaper clogging on paint
Sandpaper usually clogs on paint because the coating is soft, thick, uncured, or poorly matched to the abrasive. Use the right grit,…
Sheet tearing in a 1/4 sheet sander
Sandpaper usually tears in a 1/4 sheet sander because it is loose, incorrectly positioned, clogged with dust, or catching on a damaged…
Stearated paper still gumming on finish
Stearated sandpaper usually gums because the finish is not fully cured, the abrasive is too fine or loaded, or heat and pressure are…
Wet-dry paper falling apart in water
Wet-dry sandpaper should resist water during wet sanding, but it can still soften, delaminate, or tear when it is soaked too long, folded…
Wrong grit leaving swirl marks before stain
Swirl marks usually mean coarse scratches were skipped over, the abrasive is worn or loaded, or the sander is leaving circular scratches.…
Paper rounding over a crisp edge
Sandpaper rounds an edge when it bends over the corner or you carry sanding strokes across it. Use a firm, flat backing and stop each pass…
PSA Leftover Adhesive on a Sanding Pad: How to Remove It
Peel away loose adhesive, clean the pad gently, and avoid solvents or scraping methods that can damage its face. Replace the pad if it…
