How Do I Know Which Sandpaper to Use For the Project?

Last updated: 25 Oct 2021

In this post, we are talking about sandpaper, differences, and types. This is a very interesting topic if you’re into your woodworking or just want a little bit of advice. As you’ve probably know sandpaper does come in lots of different shapes and sizes and forms. But the most important thing is the number that it’s got. This is the grit or the grade. Just remember! The smaller the number it means the sandpaper is rougher. The higher the number the smoother sandpaper.

Basics

If we see that the sandpaper on the back says “P40”.Then P40 means it is rough sandpaper. If you start rubbing your hands on that and it’s soon going to start taking the skin away. Whereas a P240 paper is a very smooth lot smoother than P40.

There are quite a few different grades of sandpaper. The most popular are P40, P60, P80, P100, P120, P180, P240, and P400. Honestly, when I do woodworking, I only use three types. I use 80 grit, 120 grit, and 240 grit.

When you’re buying sandpaper you can get it in the form of sheets, discs, pads and you can also get it on the roll. And what about all the different colors on the sandpaper? Wouldn’t worry about the color just go for the number.

P80 grit sandpaper is really good for smoothing off any edges that aren’t quite flush. P80 and P120 great are good for rounding over. If my project should look quite rough, maybe quite rustic, I might make use of an 80 grit. If I want a smooth surface that I paint, I’ll use P120 sandpaper.

So for a regular wood project, I would only finish it off with P120 sandpaper. Just ensuring that there are no sharp edges on there at all. However, if I was going to paint a surface after I finished it off with a 120 paper then painted it I would then rub it down with P240 sandpaper. Once this panel has had an undercoat and then you rub it down with a bit of P240 that’s going to give it a super smooth finish ready for a topcoat.

Final Thoughts

Okay so let’s just summarize. We’ve got lots of different sandpaper we’ve got lots of different colors and we’ve got lots of different numbers P40, P60, P120, the list goes on. If you’re serious about your woodworking get yourself some P80 to P120 and some P240.

P80 sandpaper is gonna rub down any flaky paintwork. It’s gonna help to rub down would get you some smooth edges.
P120 that’s also going to help to do similar to what the P80 grit does, but it is going to give you a smoother finish. I probably wouldn’t recommend this for stripping paint. But if you’re going to be rubbing down between coats where you just want to smooth down some paint before painting it again P120 is good. Also good for your rough woodworking.

P240 is going to be handy for when you’re painting. After you’ve given to your project an undercoat and then you’re given out a topcoat give it a rub down with some P240 and that’s going to give you a super smooth finish.
Don’t be confused about sandpaper it’s quite easy. I hope this post has helped to give you a slightly clearer understanding of sandpaper. If you’ve got questions or comments please leave them in the comments box below. Cheers.