This guide will walk you through the different categories and help you navigate the finer points of sandpaper grit.
As a result, choosing the right sandpaper grits and using them correctly is something of an art form.
you should probably hit a sweet spot that’s neither too coarse nor too fine.
The Spruce / Xiaojie Liu
Buying Considerations for Sandpaper Grit
What Is Sandpaper Grit?
Sandpaper grit is sized by a gauge number, with lower numbers signifying larger, coarser grits.
The grit number of sandpaper is almost always clearly printed on the back of the sandpaper itself.
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
It does this by cutting the fibers on the material’s surface.
But the coarse sandpaper also leaves deep scratches.
The finer the paper, the smoother the surface.
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
It can also take off enough wood to shape and round edges.
Coarse-grit sandpaper is not recommended for fine details or for edges and corners that you want to keep sharp.
Also, be very careful using this on veneerplywoodsince the thin face layers are easy to sand through.
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
For most applications, it is hard to go wrong with sandpaper grits in this range.
it’s possible for you to work down difficult materials by applying more pressure to your workpiece.
Or, you could preserve fine materials by letting up on the pressure.
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
This grit is generally used for bare wood surfaces.
Sometimes, fine-grit sandpaper is used to roughen glossy paint in preparation for applying another coat.
Bare wood that will be stained often should not be sanded with higher than 220-grit paper.
Fine or ultra-fine sandpaper grits are used forfurniture work.
With wood, ultra-fine grits usually are reserved for smoothing painted surfaces between coats.
#320 grit sandpaper is even used as one of the first grits when sanding downsolid surface countertops.
Cost
Sandpaper is an inexpensive item and can be purchased in various sizes and amounts.
It comes in multi packs that could be six pieces or up to 24 pieces or more.
The cost of these packs can range from $2 to $25 and higher.
Which Sandpaper Grit Should You Choose?
The sandpaper grit you’ll need will depend on the tool.
you’re able to find it in grit categories from fine to coarse.
Sandpaper numbers are the size of the abrasive particles on that particular sandpaper.
The lower the number, the coarser the abrasives.
The higher the number, the finer the size of the abrasives.
