The Different Grits of Sandpaper: How to Choose the Right One

Home Improvement

Sandpaper is made up of abrasive edges that are attached to a backing material, such as Kraft paper, using a bonding agent. The quality of the abrasives, backing material, and bonding agents determine the grade of sandpaper. Industrial-grade sandpaper is of higher quality than commercial grade but can only be found in specific stores. Sandpaper is also measured by its grit size, which refers to the number of sharp particles per square inch of sandpaper. The bigger the grit size, the smoother the sandpaper. The density of the grit is also important. Open-coated sandpaper has gaps between its grits, allowing sawdust to gather without interfering with the sanding process, while closed-coated sandpaper does not have those gaps.

To choose the right grit size for your project, consider the job you want to accomplish. For heavy sanding and stripping, use coarse sandpaper that measures 40-60 grit. To smooth surfaces and remove small imperfections, choose 80-120 grit sandpaper. For finishing surfaces smoothly, use super fine sandpaper with 360-600 grit. Some projects require you to go through different grits, starting with lower-grade grit and progressing to finer pieces of sandpaper as you remove scratches from the previous layer.

There are four main types of sandpaper grits: aluminum oxide, garnet, silicon carbide, and ceramic. Aluminum oxide lasts longer than other grits because it contains a self-renewing property. Garnet wears out the fastest but produces the smoothest surface. Silicon carbide is ideal for sanding harder materials such as metals and plastic. Ceramic, the most expensive and roughest grit, is used for shaping wood.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sandpaper Grit

What are the different grits of sandpaper?

The grits range from 60 to 7,000, but the most common ones are 60-80 grit (coarse), 100-150 grit (medium), 180-220 grit (fine), and 320 grit (ultra-fine). There are also different types of sandpaper, such as ceramic alumina, silicon carbide, and aluminum oxide.

What is 220 grit sandpaper used for?

220 grit sandpaper is used to sand a surface in between paint coats.

What is 400 grit sandpaper used for?

400 grit sandpaper is very fine and is generally only used for the final sanding of finishes or wood.

What is 2000 grit sandpaper used for?

Any sandpaper above the 400 grit mark is only used to lightly clean up or polish surfaces with scratches or streak marks.

Is there a 20 grit sandpaper?

Yes, but it is ultra-coarse and mostly only used in industrial sanding projects, such as removing old paint or varnish or sanding old floors.

Originally Published: Jul 21, 2011

FAQ

1. What is sandpaper?

Sandpaper is an abrasive material that is used to smooth and shape surfaces. It consists of a backing material, such as paper or cloth, that is coated with abrasive particles, such as sand or aluminum oxide.

2. What do the different grits of sandpaper mean?

The grit of sandpaper refers to the number of abrasive particles per square inch of paper. The higher the number, the finer the grit. For example, 80 grit sandpaper has 80 abrasive particles per square inch, while 220 grit sandpaper has 220 abrasive particles per square inch.

3. What is coarse grit sandpaper used for?

Coarse grit sandpaper, such as 40 or 60 grit, is used for heavy sanding and shaping rough surfaces, such as removing paint or smoothing out deep scratches.

4. What is medium grit sandpaper used for?

Medium grit sandpaper, such as 80 or 120 grit, is used for sanding surfaces that are not overly rough, but still need some smoothing, such as preparing wood for painting or staining.

5. What is fine grit sandpaper used for?

Fine grit sandpaper, such as 220 or 320 grit, is used for finishing surfaces and removing small imperfections, such as smoothing out rough spots on wood or preparing metal for polishing.

6. What is extra fine grit sandpaper used for?

Extra fine grit sandpaper, such as 400 or 600 grit, is used for sanding between coats of paint or varnish, as well as for polishing and buffing surfaces to a high shine.

7. Can I use a higher grit sandpaper to speed up the sanding process?

No, using a higher grit sandpaper will not speed up the sanding process. In fact, it may actually slow it down as the finer grit will not remove material as quickly. It is important to use the appropriate grit for the task at hand to achieve the desired result.