The grit system is a standard, internationally recognized scale that measures sandpaper to its finest levels from its coarsest. It ranges in value from the super coarse (150-grit) to the ultra-fine (12,000 and above). Most people associate this number with the US Standard for grading papers, which also follows a similar format. For example, the 100-grit paper refers to both 100-grit paper and 100-point coated bond paper under the US Standard. The fine grade of sandpaper is designed specifically to smooth out soft finishes like paint and varnish. It's ideal for tasks where you want the surface to look as polished as possible, with no scratches or marks visible. In terms of quality, it doesn't get any better than this type of paper. The abrasives are extremely refined so that they remove only minute portions of the layer you're sanding away – rather than big bits like their coarse counterparts – leaving stunning results behind. The 24-piece HSYMQ Silicon Carbide sandpaper set comes in a resealable bag of twelve grits to cover an array of sanding projects. As one of the many happy customers commented, “This is a great assortment of sand paper that ranges from low grit that could sand down the toughest of spots to the highest grit that could make your table top smooth as butter.”

Usually made from silicon carbide or aluminium oxide, these materials' size is measured in microns (one-millionth of a meter). The bigger the number, the coarser grains of sandpaper will be. A good example would be silicon carbide at 220 grit, which is a coarse grade of paper. It matches many materials; you just need to modify the pressure to apply. For example, if you wish to remove a lot of material from a surface, you will need to add more pressure. Fine (100- and 120-grit): The best utility sandpaper. Fine grades smooth scratches left by coarser grades and rough up painted surfaces before accepting new paint. They’re also good for sanding drywall. When you just need some for hand-sanding, or to use with an orbital sander, this is the grade you’ll most likely use. For example, you can use this type of sandpaper to round rough edges or corners of hardwood and other tough materials. When selecting the right sandpaper for your project, it is essential to understand the different grits and use them.This depends on the state of the wood you are sanding but as a general rule you should start out with a coarse grade sandpaper before progressing to a fine grade sandpaper to finish. This helps sand out any marks left by the larger grits.

Other applications include removing old paint and making a surface rougher (such as in preparing it for gluing). Finer Sandpaper So, when shopping for sandpaper, the only thing you need to know is what result you are trying to achieve. Know When You Need Extra Coarse For example, sandpaper marked with the number 800 in the CAMI standards will correspond to a FEPA’ P2000 or P1500. The coarsest sandpaper is used for the fast removal of paint and rust. It is not the kind of paper you want to use on fine underlying surfaces, like a hardwood floor or linoleum. The abrasives embedded in this type of paper are so aggressive that they can remove portions of the layer you're sanding away, leaving stains. Here's the different sandpaper grades and grits to help you choose the right one for your DIY project:Extra coarse sandpaper comes with large abrasive particles. While this sandpaper is extremely tough and practical, its uses can be limited. Extra-fine (320- and 360-grit): The first of the micro-abrasives, this is primarily for sanding finishes before polishing. Suppose you need something fine-grit enough to polish down wood and metal surfaces or get rid of paint or rust in a hurry. In that case, you can go for aluminium oxide (a slightly coarser material compared to sandpaper manufactured from silicon carbide) that has grit sizes around 3600. It's important to remember that the finer the material used in manufacturing sandpapers, the more expensive they are. However, it's also worth noting that you don't always have to buy premium brands unless your project calls for doing so – any paper will do if all you want is basic tasks like removing old varnish and repairing holes in walls. Indeed, you can use it to remove old paint or varnish, or sand the old floor. It is ideal for shaping wood and removing strong coats and finishes. Also Available at: Walmart , Auto Zone 3. Best Coarse Sandpaper for Sanding Wood—3M 9017 Coarse Grit Sandpaper

While fine sandpaper with a higher grit is a must-have in any toolbox, it should only be used after you have already worked the surface with other tools or with a coarser grit of sandpaper. Ordinary grade sandpapers are more economical than their premium counterparts because they don't have special features, like water resistance or chemical resistance. However, they're great for basic applications like changing flat tires and working on wood furniture that needs a bit of TLC to fix the damage. Specifically made for bare wood, rough wood, and natural wood, these 3M Garnet sandpaper sheets have garnet abrasive particles for a smooth finish when hand sanding. The manufacturer suggests that it's better to go with the grain when sanding wood, progressively using finer grits until the surface is smooth. While it’s possible to connect a dust extractor to most orbital sanders, the fact remains that sanding still creates dust. And even if you’re wearing the correct masks, tiny particles can still float around in the air, which could pose health risks – and even if they don’t, you’ll still be spending more time cleaning down surfaces once you’ve finished your project. Sandpaper is an essential tool in any homeowner’s toolbox. However, with so many options on the market, selecting the right one for your project can be challenging.

How Does Grit Work?

While this type of sandpaper can be potent, it also needs to be used appropriately. Indeed, it is easy to damage more delicate surfaces and layered materials such as veneer plywood with coarse sandpaper. 2. Medium Grit Sandpaper: #100–#150 Grit The grit of sandpaper refers to the size of the abrasive material on the sandpaper. Higher numbers refer to finer sandpaper, which is suitable for smoothing out surfaces and adding the finishing touches to your DIY project. It comes with a company guarantee that it will not discolor any surfaces you are using it on. One of the many satisfied customers commented that it “works well, doesn't clog much, lasts forever compared to budget papers. So worth the extra money, as it goes 20 times longer than the cheap stuff.”