Confidential

SAND PAPER
What is grit?
When talking about sandpaper "grit" is a reference to the number of abrasive particles per
inch of sandpaper. The lower the grit the rougher the sandpaper and conversely, the
higher the grit number the smoother the sandpaper. This make sense if you imagine how
small the particles on an 800grit sandpaper would need to be to fit into a !" s"uare.
#andpaper is referred to by the si$e of its grit %i.e. !&0grit sandpaper'.
So whats the difference between Commercial and Industrial grades?
There are three main components to sandpaper( the abrasive grit, the backing material, and the bonding
agents. )ndustrial grade sandpaper uses higher "uality components as well as tighter manufacturing
tolerances.
Abrasie !rit * )ndustrial grade sandpapers use abrasive grit material that is stronger and less likely to
break down or wear out. +igher "uality grits are often very finely graded to ensure consistency.
"ac#ing $aterial * Commercial grade samdpapers tend to use kraft paper or lowgrade fabric as a
backing material. +igher grades of backing material are often made from fine cottons or polyesters.
"onding Agent * The bonding agent is the glue that attaches the abrasive to the paper,s backing. -ower
grades of sandpaper are often made from hide glue, which doesn,t hold up well with heat or moisture.
+ighergrade bonding agents such as phenolic resin are used for industrial grade sandpapers.
Grit Common
Name
Uses
40-60 Coarse +eavy sanding and stripping, roughing up the surface.
80-
120
.edium #moothing of the surface, removing smaller imperfections and marks.
150-
180
/ine /inal sanding pass before finishing the wood
220-
240
0ery /ine #anding between coats of stain or sealer.
280-
320
12tra /ine 3emoving dust spots or marks between finish coats
360-
600
#uper /ine /ine sanding of the finish to remove some luster or surface blemishes and
scratches.
Confidential
WI%IPEDIA
4rit si$e table
IS&'(EPA !rit
designation
CA$I !rit
designation
Aerage )article
diameter *+m,
$ACR&!RI-S
12tra Coarse %0ery fast
removal of material,
hardwood flooring initial
sanding'
5!6 !8!&
5!7 !869
560 !000
569 :79
69 :08
580 796
80 786
87 &80
587 &88
Coarse %3apid removal of
material'
590 90 96&
&0 898
5&0 887
.edium %sanding bare wood
in preparation for finishing,
for gentle removal of varnish,
also used for skateboard grip
tape'
70 67&
570 67;
580 60!
80 !;0
/ine %sanding bare wood in
preparation for finishing, not
suitable for removing varnish
or paint from wood, use for
cleaning plaster and water
stain from wood'
5!00 !76
!00 !90
5!60 !6&
!60 !!&
0ery /ine %sanding of bare
wood'
5!&0 !00
!&0 ;6
5!80 !80 86
5660 660 78
IS&'(EPA !rit
designation
CA$I !rit
designation
Aerage )article
diameter *+m,
$ICR&!RI-S
Confidential
0ery /ine %sanding finishes
between coats'
5690 &8.&
690 &8.0
5680 &6.6
5860 97.6
5870 90.&
12tra fine, start polishing of
wood
860 87.0
5900 8&.0
5&00 80.6
870 68.0
5700 6&.8
#uper fine %final sanding of
finishes, final sanding of
wood'
900 68.0
5800 6!.8
&00 60.0
5!000 !8.8
700 !7.0
5!600 !&.8
<ltra fine %final sanding and
polishing of thick finishes'
5!&00 800 !6.7
56000 !000 !0.8
56&00 8.9