Sanding Paper

Power sanding is a quick and efficient method of shaping and levelling wood, removing imperfections and prepping surfaces for painting. Sheets, discs and belts are available within our collection to fit a range of power tools including belt, orbital and random orbital sanders.  

Hand sanding products including sandpapers, steel wool and sanding sponges allow lighter, more controlled sanding for detailed woodworking and surface finishing.  

In order to achieve the best possible results, you must pick a sandpaper with the right level grit for your specific application. To do this, you’ll need to pay close attention to the grit number. 

What is the Grit Number? 

The grit number indicates the size of the abrasive particles which determines the overall coarseness of the sandpaper. There are a range of different grit numbers available, ranging from 24 (a very rough and course sandpaper) all the way up to 2000 (a fine paper with extremely small abrasive particles). Keep in mind that the lower the grit number, the larger and coarser the grits. The larger and coarser the grits, the more surface material can be removed.  

Which Grit Number Do I Need? 

So, which grit number is right for your application? Generally, most household projects will require a grit number between 40 to 320. Whilst its always important to follow manufacturer’s recommendations for grit numbers, here’s some general guidance on common grit sizes to help narrow down your search: 

40 – 80 Grit - Coarse 

Course sandpapers are ideal for tackling tough sanding jobs such as stripping away built-up finishes, shaping and levelling wood and even removing rust from metal. A low grit number works well with power sanders for rough, fast sanding however is not recommended for fine detailing. 

100 – 150 Grit - Medium 

Medium grit sandpaper that falls within the 100 – 150 grit range is the most common and practical choice for general DIY applications around the home. Ideal for both hand and power sanding, medium grit paper can be used on tougher materials by applying higher pressure or finer materials such as bare wood to remove scratches and varnishes, smooth the surface and prep for finishing.  

Suitable for a huge range of projects, you can’t go wrong with a good-quality medium grit sandpaper on hand.  

180 – 220 - Fine 

Generally reserved for lighter hand sanding, fine grit sandpaper is perfect for removing bare wood scratches, eliminating raised wood fibres and scuffing between finish coats to ensure optimum adhesion.  

320+ - Ultra-Fine 

Ultra-fine sandpaper can be used on a variety of different materials to achieve an enhanced degree of smoothness, typically before a subsequent coat of finish is applied. 320 grit papers and higher are also practical for wet sanding to achieve a smooth and scratch-free surface finish.