How do I select the right sandpaper for my application?

The type of sandpaper first depends on the type of material you’re sanding:

• For woods, garnet and flint are best.
• For metal and fiberglass, use silicon carbide.
• If you’re using a power sander, aluminum oxide works well.

Choose your grade, grit and coating:

• Grades of sandpaper run from ultra-coarse to ultra-fine. Coarser papers are rougher than fine.
• Coarser papers also have a lower number when it comes to grit, because grit refers to the number of abrasive particles per square inch.
• Lower grit is better for rougher surfaces and surfaces that have large blemishes.
• Fairly smooth surfaces with only slightly noticeable imperfections call for a larger grit.
• Use open-coated paper on soft woods and closed-coated papers on hard woods.

For the best results, review our sanding tips.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.