subject: How To Choose The Right Sandpaper [print this page] Sandpaper is used in woodworking, metalworking, construction and other industries. It is important to choose the right sandpaper for the right job. Read on to learn more about the different types of sandpaper and their uses.
There are several types of sandpaper that are made of different materials for different uses. Here is a list the common types of sandpaper and their uses:
* Aluminum Oxide Sandpaper: These are made from synthetic material. They are usually grayish or light tan in color and serve all general types of sanding. Workers use them on power sanders as well as on wood, metal, plastic and painted surfaces.
* Ceramic Sandpaper: Ceramic sandpaper is identifiable due to their reddish-brown color. This type of sandpaper is known for its high durability and hardness. They are most commonly used with power sanders and best suited for rough sanding. Due to their tough structure a sheet of ceramic sandpaper can last for four to six times longer than other sandpaper. All of these features make ceramic sandpaper more expensive but produces excellent sanding results.
* Garnet Sandpaper: Garnet sandpaper is usually reddish or golden brown in color and is excellent for hand sanding. This sandpaper is not very durable and wears quite fast. However, garnet achieves a finer finish because it has a soft grit. It is priced quite low and can be used with most wood types. Many woodworkers use open-coat garnet paper to sand raw wood by hand or machine.
* Silicon Carbide Sandpaper: Silicon carbide sandpaper is normally of blue-gray or black color and comes with a waterproof backing. This feature of waterproof backing makes this sandpaper an ideal choice for polishing or using between paint coats. The silicon carbide sandpaper provides excellent sanding results on metal, plastic, fiberglass and other surfaces simply because it does not get wet and clog like other sandpaper. Workers use this sandpaper for repainting jobs or to sand before applying the primer coat.
These are the most common types of sandpaper. Its important to know their qualities to assure the best results. However, there are other options for sanding and abrasive purposes, which you can use for your needs if you see fit.
Exploring other abrasives
Most people prefer using sandpaper for their sanding requirements, but there are other abrasive alternatives too. Common abrasives include steel wool, diamond stones, water stones, scrapers and abrasive sponges. Of these, steel wool is most commonly used to remove sludge from most surfaces before finishing. Scrapers are steel cutouts which are used by carpenters to finely shave wood. Many workers rely on abrasive sponges to sand corners or for oddly shaped pieces.
On the other hand, sandpaper works well with some surfaces like: tack cloth, rubber cement blocks, power sanders, and drywall sheets. All of these materials can be found at any of the renowned abrasive suppliers.
