HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SANDPAPER GRIT

1. Determine the type of material you will be sanding. Different materials require different grits. For example, soft woods will require a lower grit while harder woods may need a higher grit.
2. Consider the finish you are looking for. If you are looking for a smooth finish, a higher grit sandpaper will be needed. If a rougher finish is desired, a lower grit sandpaper will be necessary.
3. Check the manufacturer’s instructions. Many manufacturers include specific instructions regarding the sandpaper grit needed for their products.
4. Read the labels on the sandpaper. Most sandpaper labels will include the grit size so that you can choose the right one for your project.
5. Experiment with different grit sizes. If you are unsure of the best grit for your project, try testing out different grits to determine which gives you the best results.

60–80 Grit: Coarse

Sandpaper grit in these low numbers cuts through old paint and rough edges with ease. 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.

100–150 Grit: Medium

The most often-used gauge of sandpaper grit is in the medium range. For most applications, it is hard to go wrong with sandpaper grits in this range. You can work down difficult materials by applying more pressure to your workpiece. Or, you can preserve fine materials by letting up on the pressure. This grit is generally used for bare wood surfaces.

Ultra-fine sandpaper grit is used to achieve another level of smoothness on all types of materials. With wood, ultra-fine grits usually are reserved for smoothing painted surfaces between coats. Many finer grits are used for wet sanding, which creates a fine, gritty slurry that complements the sandpaper’s efforts at smoothing.

Happy sanding……