Sandpaper has been used for centuries to smooth rough and abrasive surfaces, remove paint and rust, and even polish metals. It is an essential tool or material for any woodworker or metalworker to have in their toolbox or crafting environment. The grit of sandpaper refers to the size of the abrasive particles used in it. If you’re wanting sandpaper grit explained, it all comes down to the different grades; each has its own purpose and application.
The number used to describe the grit is generally between 24 and 320. This number refers to the number of abrasive particles per square inch, measured in terms of average particle diameter in microns. The lower the number, the larger the abrasive particles are, meaning a coarser grade of sandpaper.
A Guide to Understanding Sandpaper Grit
What are the Levels of Sandpaper?
Sandpaper grit is broken down into four distinct classifications, such as: coarse, medium, fine, and extra fine. Each of these categories is graded on a numerical scale to determine the texture and the abrasiveness of the paper – the higher the grit number, the smoother the sandpaper will be. Lower numbered sandpaper indicates a coarser product that can remove materials faster.
Sandpaper grit and some of their gradations include:
- 40 grit: coarse
- 80 grit: medium
- 100 grit: medium
- 120 grit: fine
- 220 grit: fine
- 440 grit: ultra fine
The sandpaper grit you decide to choose is completely going to depend on your application and the job you’re undertaking. For example:
Coarse sandpaper – is going to be useful for shaping wood and/or removing finishes (such as paint and varnish).
Medium sandpaper – great for the final shaping of your work, and for also removing any markings left during the planing stage.
Fine sandpaper – is commonly found in a number of workshops and is used for sanding the final product of a project.
Ultra fine sandpaper – you will want to use it between coats of paint or even varnish. This is going to achieve a smoother finish but also enable your coatings to grab onto the surface.
Sandpaper Grit Explained vs Sandpaper Grade
The grit of sandpaper is often described in numbers such as 40, 80, or 120; these indicate the size of each abrasive grain. But this simplistic system doesn’t tell you much about the range of grains present – to do that, we use a grading scale. This scale encompasses an array of grit sizes, for example, medium grade sandpaper refers to grits between 80 and 100 while fine grade encompasses those ranging from 120 to 220 (and so on).
It’s always going to come down to what project you’re delving into, but its still great to have a selection of sandpaper grades and grits in your shed, toolbox, warehouse etc. in case there’s ever a time that calls for sandpaper of a different grade or grit level. If you’re wanting sandpaper grit explained in a little more detail, or you’d like to know what’s going to suit any upcoming projects, consider contacting the team at BetaBoard today!
Looking for Some Extra Supplies?
If you’re in the market for some new, upgraded, or replacement plaster supplies, or you’re tempted to purchase some new sanding supplies for your collection, choose BetaBoard. We offer a wide range of products that make projects much more efficient. Come and visit one of our five stores or get in touch with our team online for more information and with any queries.
