Sandpaper: One Size Doesn't Fit All
Sandpaper is the unsung hero of woodworking. Oftentimes, when you get to the sanding part of the job, you're tired and wondering why you even started this job in the first place. Sanding can be time and labor intensive and that's just the effort it takes to figure out what kind of sandpaper to use. At Santee Hardware, we're here to help guide you in your navigate the sandpaper aisle with ease.
The number on the sandpaper label indicates the size of the abrasive particles. The lower the number, the larger the abrasive particles — they remove more material but create more noticeable scratches. When you get to the sanding portion of a project, you're going to want a variety of sizes. You start with a lower number grit and then move up sizes as you go. The higher size grit removes the scratches caused from the lower sized grit, gradually creating a smoother surface.
Sandpaper with a grit level from 36 to 100 are great for removing unwanted materials. You can use these sizes to remove paint and varnish, get out flaws, and leveling wood.
Sandpaper with a grit level from 100 to 180 is best used for preparing bare surfaces for finishes. You can use these sizes to smooth pieces of wood, remove scratches, and the final prep work before applying a finish.
Sandpaper with a grit number from 180 to 320 is best for finishing work. You can remove raised wood grain fibers and taking out any scuffs between finish coats.
Got more questions about sanding? Stop on by Santee hardware and we'll be happy to answer them for you.
