Welcome to Mohawk Consumer Products (2024)

SANDPAPER 101

When getting started with a project you will probably need touse sandpaper at some point. However, with so many different kindsof sandpaper, which type of sandpaper should you use?

The Nitty-Gritty: Choosing the Right Grit

Sandpaper works by scratching away defects with thousands oftiny abrasive particles. There are two major sandpaper gritnumbering systems used in the U.S.

The first and most common is the system known asCAMI. With this grit numbering system, the lowerthe number, the coarser the sandpaper grit; and the higher thenumber, the finer the sandpaper grit.

The second most common (and what we use at Mohawk FinishingProducts) is the European, or FEPA numberingsystem. The best way to identify the difference is that the gritnumber begins with the letter P before the number. These numbersalso go from coarse grit as the lower number and gets finer as thenumbers increase.

The numbering between the CAMI and FEPA system is identical (180=P180) until the grit number 240. After 240, the FEPA numberschange and go higher than the CAMI numbers.

Very uncommon to be used for a homeowner. Used for very roughwork, heavy machines, wood floors, etc.

A good choice for rough sanding and removing stock quickly, suchas sanding the edge of a sticking door with a belt sander.

Makes a good starting point for most projects, from sandingunfinished wood to removing old varnish.

Great for removing the scratches left by coarser grits onunfinished wood and for lightly sanding between coats ofpaint.

Used for light sanding between coats of finish and to sand metaland other hard surfaces.Same as very fine, unlikely to beused for a homeowner.

Same as very fine, unlikely to be used for a homeowner.

Same as very fine and extra fine, unlikely to be used for ahomeowner.

There's More Than One?: Choosing the RightType

There are six main types of sandpaper, and they all have varioususes.

Garnet: Best used for hand sanding. Suitablefor sanding bare wood. Dulls quickly.

Emery: Excellent for hand or power sandingmetal. Can also be used to polish metal. You can often find Emerysandpaper on flexible cloth backing.

Ceramic: Used primarily on belts and discs forpower sanding. Used for aggressive material removal on wood.

Silicon carbide: One of the best types butwears fairly quickly. Has many uses, including wood, plastic andmetal. Can be used for wet sanding.

Aluminum oxide: Common sandpaper. Great forpower or hand sanding on wood, paint, drywall or metal. Lastslonger than most.

Zirconia alumina: Suitable for wood,fiberglass, metal and painted surfaces. Typically used with belts,pads and discs for power sanding. Lasts decently long.

Will This One Work?: Choosing the Right Shape andSize

Sandpapers come in various shapes and sizes for different usesand applications.

Sheets : Sheets usually come in 9 x 1 inches.However, other sizes may be available.

Belt : These are created for use with beltsanders.

Disk : These are made to fit disc and orbitsanders.

Rolls: Used by some contractors.

Sponge: These are for tight, small or uniquespaces. Most sponges come with a different grit on each side forconvenience.

Tips and Tricks

• If it looks bad-it probably is. This same principle applies toyour hands. Run your hands over what you are sanding. It is amazingwhat you can feel that you cannot necessarily see. Working withwood is about as much feel as it is sight.
• Sanding with the grain of the wood is generally preferable tosanding against it. You can definitely take more off if you aresanding with power tools by going cross-grain-but if you are handsanding, with the grain is the way to go.
• For really odd-shaped edges, make some sanding sticks. Choosedifferently shaped dowels and attach sandpaper to them with staplesor double-sided tape.
• The golden rule of sanding is to start with a grit coarseenough to quickly remove surface imperfections and follow withincrementally finer grits. Each successive grit erases thescratches of the coarser one before, until the scratches themselvesbecome undetectable to the eye and the touch.
• Sponge-backed sandpapers are helpful when working with piecesthat have round or uneven edges.
• After sanding your woodworking project, you need to remove alltraces of sawdust before you're able to apply the paint or stainfinish of your choice.