How to choose sandpaper for hand sanding: grit, sheets and rolls

For hand sanding you choose the format (sheet or roll), the backing (paper, cloth, sponge) and the grit. With 40-60 grit you remove a lot, with 80-120 you prepare the workpiece, with 180-240 you finish and with 320-400 you complete the job before painting. The 230 x 280 mm sheet is for spot jobs, the 115 mm roll for those who sand every day and want to cut off only the length they need.

The types

• Sandpaper sheets: the classic 230 x 280 mm format (or 115 x 280 mm, a quarter sheet). They are inexpensive and suitable for wood, filler and paint.
• Resin-bonded cloth sheets: the abrasive is bonded to a resin-bonded cotton cloth, which is tougher than paper. It is the choice for metal and for jobs where paper tears. The collection includes the whole Fervi FTR230 series, with grits from 40 to 320 (for example the 120 grit).
• Abrasive rolls: widths such as 50 or 115 mm and lengths from 5 to 100 metres. You cut off pieces to the size you need, which is handy in the workshop and on site.
• Abrasive sponges: for shaped surfaces, because they follow the contour of the workpiece.
• Abrasive blades and blocks: pads and support blocks to keep the paper flat and to take the abrasive where your hand cannot reach. Like the sanding tool with handle Stanley.

How to choose by job

For every job keep at least three grits in sequence to hand, for example 80, 120 and 240: if you are missing the intermediate one, you end up forcing the job with the wrong grit.

The features to look at

• Grit: in the collection it ranges from 40 to 400. The lower the number, the more material the paper removes and the more it scratches. Low values are for stock removal, high values for finishing.
• Dimensions: sheets are 230 x 280 mm or 115 x 280 mm; rolls come in widths of 50 or 115 mm and lengths of 5, 10, 25, 50 or 100 metres. A long roll lasts longer, but it must be stored dry and protected from creasing.
• Backing material: paper, aluminium oxide cloth or resin-bonded cotton cloth. Cloth lasts longer and holds up better.
• Pack size: from 2 to 100 pieces, depending on the product.
• Item code: on the product pages you will find the manufacturer's code (for example RAS180 or TEV120). If you need to reorder the same abrasive, it is the surest way to find it again.

Common mistakes

• Sanding without a block: the hand follows the pressure of the fingers and creates dips. Wrap the sheet around a sanding pad.
• Going from 40 grit to 240 in one go: the scratches remain. Do the intermediate passes.
• Using ordinary paper wet: only waterproof paper should be used wet.
• Sanding against the grain on wood: it leaves marks that show after painting.
• Not removing the dust between passes: the residue scratches the surface.

Frequently asked questions

Sheet or roll?

The sheet is handy for spot jobs; the roll is better value if you sand often and want to cut off only the length you need.

Which grit for preparing a wall before painting?

Usually 120-180, to remove the imperfections in the filler without marking the plaster.

When do I use cloth rather than paper?

When you work on metal or on parts with sharp edges, where paper tears.

Can you sand wet?

Yes, but only with waterproof paper: it is used to finish paints and fillers while reducing dust.

You will find sheets, rolls, sponges and pads in the Abrasive Sheets and Rolls for Hand Sanding collection; for formats and quantities, request a quote from the AMES technicians.