How to Clean Sandpaper So It Lasts Longer
A rubber cleaning stick held against a moving belt or disc pulls the load out of the grit and makes sandpaper last longer.
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How to clean sandpaper? Hold a natural rubber cleaning stick against the moving belt or disc and let it pull the loaded dust and debris out of the grit. The stick pulls the load out so the grit cuts again, and the sticks in the listings cover sanding belts, discs, grip tape and drum sanders. Clean the abrasive when dust and debris load the grit and it cuts less well, and it lasts longer.
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Below: what loading is, how the stick works, which abrasives it cleans, what the stick is made of, when to clean, and the sticks we looked at.
| # | Product | Shop Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  1-1/2" x 1-1/2" x 8" Inch Abrasive Cleaning Eraser | 9.7/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |  Dura-Gold Abrasive Cleaning Stick | 9.6/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |  8" x 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" Abrasive Cleaning Eraser | 9.6/10 | Buy on Amazon |
1-1/2" x 1-1/2" x 8" Inch Abrasive Cleaning Eraser
A 2-pack of 8-inch natural rubber cleaning sticks for sanding belts, discs, drum sanders, grip tape and rubber-bottom shoes.
Pros
- 2 sticks in the box
- Cleans belts, discs, drum sanders and grip tape
- Natural rubber, durable and long lasting
- Also cleans rubber-bottom shoes, not plastic
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- 8-inch sticks only, with no other size in the listing
- Only for rubber-bottom shoes, not plastic ones
- Needs a moving belt or disc to work against
Dura-Gold Abrasive Cleaning Stick
An 8-inch natural rubber cleaning stick for sandpaper, discs, belts, hand sanders and skateboard grip tape, for moving or stationary abrasives.
Pros
- Works on moving or stationary sandpaper
- Cleans discs, belts, hand sanders and grip tape
- Removes sawdust, pitch, glue, paint, dirt and debris
- No special tools or solutions required
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- 1 stick only, with no 2-pack in the listing
- 8-inch stick only, with no other size in the listing
- No drum sander use is stated
8" x 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" Abrasive Cleaning Eraser
An 8 by 1-1/2 by 1-1/2 inch natural rubber cleaning stick for sanding belts, discs, paper and skateboards, made to clean without damaging the grit.
Pros
- Cleans without damaging the grit
- Removes sawdust, pitch, gum, glue, dirt and paint
- Professional-grade all-natural rubber
- For belts, discs, paper and skateboards
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- 1 stick only, with no 2-pack in the listing
- No drum sander use is stated
- 8-inch stick only, with no other size in the listing
How to clean sandpaper: what loading is
Sandpaper loads up when dust and debris pack into the grit as you sand. The grit traps sawdust, pitch, glue, paint, dirt and gum, and a loaded belt or disc cuts less well because the grit is full instead of sharp. The cleaning stick pulls that load out: hold it against the moving abrasive and the rubber takes the trapped particles with it, so the grit cuts again. That is the whole job: the stick does not add anything to the paper, it takes the load out of the grit that is already there.
How to use a cleaning stick
Hold the stick firmly against the abrasive and let the abrasive do the work. The TPmax and makiwork sticks are made to be held against a moving belt or disc, while the Dura-Gold stick works against moving or stationary sandpaper, so it also cleans a sheet that is not running. For skateboard grip tape, rub in long strokes across the surface. The Dura-Gold stick needs no special tools or solutions: the stick is the tool, and the rubber block is held by hand against the abrasive.
What a cleaning stick cleans
All 3 sticks clean sanding belts and sanding discs. The TPmax stick also cleans drum sanders, and the Dura-Gold stick also cleans hand sanders, belt sanders and all abrasive tools. Skateboard grip tape is on the list for the TPmax and Dura-Gold sticks, and the makiwork stick lists skateboards. The TPmax stick also cleans rubber-bottom shoes, not plastic ones, and the Dura-Gold stick maintains grip tape traction for skateboards.
What the stick is made of
All 3 sticks are natural rubber. The TPmax stick is high quality natural rubber, durable and lasting a long time. The Dura-Gold stick is professional-grade natural rubber, made to last and to restore sanding performance. The makiwork stick is professional-grade all-natural rubber, made for durability and long-lasting use. The rubber is what does the cleaning: it grips the loaded particles and pulls them out of the grit, and the makiwork listing says its stick does so without damaging the grit.
When to clean the abrasive
Clean the belt or disc when dust and debris load the grit and it cuts less well. The listings say the stick extends the life of sanding belts and discs, and the Dura-Gold stick keeps abrasives cutting efficiently for longer periods and prevents clogging. The stick pulls the load out of the grit that is already there, so the abrasive keeps cutting instead of loading up further. Clean the abrasive when it loads up rather than waiting until the grit is packed solid.
The cleaning sticks
The step that needs gear is the cleaning itself: the stick is what you hold against the belt or disc, and the 3 sticks below are the ones in the listings.
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FAQ: garage tools
Can you clean sandpaper with a rubber stick?
Yes. Hold a natural rubber cleaning stick against the moving belt or disc and it pulls the loaded dust and debris out of the grit. The Dura-Gold stick also works on stationary sandpaper, and the TPmax and makiwork sticks are made for a moving belt or disc.
What does a sandpaper cleaning stick remove?
Sawdust, pitch, glue, paint, dirt, gum and debris trapped in the grit. The TPmax and makiwork sticks remove loaded particles and debris from a moving belt or disc, and the Dura-Gold stick removes the same build-up from discs, belts and grip tape.
Does cleaning sandpaper make it last longer?
The listings say it does: the TPmax stick increases the life of sanding belts and discs, the Dura-Gold stick extends the life of all sandpaper types, and the makiwork stick extends the lifespan of sanding discs, sanding belts and other abrasive equipment.
Can a cleaning stick clean skateboard grip tape?
Yes. The TPmax and Dura-Gold sticks clean skateboard grip tape, and the Dura-Gold stick is rubbed in long strokes across the surface. The makiwork stick is made for skateboards, and the Dura-Gold stick maintains grip tape traction.
Do you need water or solvents to clean sandpaper?
No. The Dura-Gold stick needs no special tools or solutions: hold the rubber block firmly against moving or stationary sandpaper. The TPmax and makiwork sticks work the same way against a moving belt or disc.
Related: the best long sanding drum, the best drum sanding rolls, the best sanding belts for belt sanders and our engine and shop equipment hub.
