Sandpaper Grit Chart: Which Grit to Use for Each Job
A sandpaper grit chart matches the grit number to the job, from coarse paper for shaping to fine paper for polishing, and the sets below cover the range.
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A scratched fender, a workbench top gone rough, a filler patch that needs smoothing before paint: sooner or later the job needs sandpaper, and the grit decides whether the surface comes out smooth or scarred. A sandpaper grit chart matches the grit number to the job: the lower the number, the coarser the paper, and the higher the number, the finer the paper. This guide sets out the chart the listings state, how to read the grit number, and the sets below that cover the range.
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Hyietta Sand Paper Assortment
52 sheets in 13 grits from 120 to 3000, 4 sheets of each grit, 9 x 3.6 inches.
Pros
- 13 grits from 120 to 3000, the most grit sizes here
- 4 sheets of each grit, 52 sheets in all
- Low and medium grits dry, high grits wet
- Double-layer 0.16 mm resealable bags
Cons
- Coarsest grit is 120, above the 60 and 80 grits here
- 4 sheets per grit, fewer than the BAISDY set
- No stated fit for a palm sander
- No warranty term is stated
45Pcs Wet Dry Sandpaper, 400/600/ 800/1000
45 sheets in 9 grits from 400 to 3000, 5 sheets of each grit, 9 x 3.6 inches, silicon carbide.
Pros
- 9 grits from 400 to 3000, 5 sheets of each grit
- Silicon carbide, electro coated, wet and dry
- Grit number on the back of each sheet
- Maker states a 100% quality check before shipping
Cons
- Starts at 400, so no coarse or medium grits
- No 1/4 sheet size; the sheets are 9 x 3.6 inches
- No storage or packaging stated
- No warranty term is stated
BOSHCRAFT 50 Pcs 1/4 Sheet Sand Paper 5.5" x 4.5"
50 1/4 sheet pieces, 5.5 x 4.5 inches, in 6 grits from 80 to 400, aluminum oxide.
Pros
- 6 grits from 80 to 400, including the coarse 80 grit
- 1/4 sheet size, 5.5 x 4.5 inches, for palm sanders
- Aluminum oxide, with an anti-clogging coating
- Maker states 2x longer lasting than conventional abrasive papers
Cons
- No grit above 400, so no superfine sheets
- No wet sanding stated
- No warranty term is stated
- No resealable packaging stated
Romeda 8-Pack Sandpaper Block
8 washable sanding blocks in 4 grits from 60 to 220, 2 blocks of each grit, 3.9 x 2.76 x 0.6 inches.
Pros
- 4 grits from 60 to 220, including the coarsest grit here
- Washable and reusable, for wet or dry use
- Color-coded by grit: orange 60, green 80, blue 120, grey 220
- 2 blocks of each grit, 8 blocks in all
Cons
- No grit above 220, so no finer sheets
- Blocks are 3.9 x 2.76 x 0.6 inches
- No warranty term is stated
- 8 blocks in all, the fewest pieces here
Sandpaper grit chart: the ranges the listings state
Each row is a grit range the listings carry, with the use the listing states for it. The grit number runs from coarse to fine, so the coarsest paper here is 60 grit and the finest is 3000 grit.
| Grit range | Sets that carry it | Stated use |
|---|---|---|
| 60-220 | Romeda blocks | Woodworking, furniture polishing, metal dusting, drywall, wood filler |
| 80-400 | BOSHCRAFT sheets | Aggressive sanding on automotive paint, removing scratches on metal, wood and paint |
| 120-3000 | Hyietta sheets | Rough sanding to fine sanding |
| 400-3000 | BAISDY sheets | Fine woodworking, polishing metal, furniture finishing, automotive jobs |
How to read the grit number
The BAISDY listing prints the grit number on the back of each sheet. Low and medium grits work well for dry sanding, and high grits usually call for wet sanding, per the Hyietta listing, which also says wet sanding cuts dust and leaves a smoother surface. The BAISDY and Hyietta sheets work wet and dry, the Romeda blocks are washable and reusable, and the BOSHCRAFT sheets state no wet sanding.
The sandpaper sets
The sets below cover the chart above: the Hyietta set runs the widest spread, 120 to 3000, the BAISDY set covers the fine end, the BOSHCRAFT set covers 80 to 400, and the Romeda blocks cover 60 to 220 at the coarse end.
How to choose a sandpaper grit set
Start with the grit range. For the widest spread in one set, the Hyietta set lists 13 grits from 120 to 3000. For fine work only, the BAISDY set lists 9 grits from 400 to 3000. For coarse work on paint and filler, the BOSHCRAFT set lists 6 grits from 80 to 400 in 1/4 sheets, and the Romeda blocks list 4 grits from 60 to 220.
Then check the sheet size. The BAISDY and Hyietta sheets are 9 x 3.6 inches. The BAISDY sheets can be cut and folded to fit a hand tool or a work piece crevice, per the BAISDY listing. The BOSHCRAFT sheets are 1/4 sheets at 5.5 x 4.5 inches, and the Romeda blocks are 3.9 x 2.76 x 0.6 inches.
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FAQ: garage tools
What grit sandpaper should I start with?
Start with the coarsest grit the job needs, then work up through the grits. The listings run from 60 grit to 3000 grit, and the Hyietta set lists 13 grits from 120 to 3000.
What does the grit number mean?
The grit number runs from coarse to fine: a low number is coarse paper and a high number is fine paper. The BAISDY listing prints the grit number on the back of each sheet.
Can I use sandpaper wet?
The BAISDY and Hyietta sheets state wet and dry sanding, and the Romeda blocks are washable and reusable for wet or dry use. The BOSHCRAFT sheets state no wet sanding.
What size are the sheets?
The BAISDY and Hyietta sheets are 9 x 3.6 inches, and the BOSHCRAFT sheets are 1/4 sheets at 5.5 x 4.5 inches. The Romeda blocks are 3.9 x 2.76 x 0.6 inches.
How many sheets come in a set?
The Hyietta set has 52 sheets, 4 of each grit; the BAISDY set has 45 sheets, 5 of each grit; the BOSHCRAFT set has 50 pieces; and the Romeda set has 8 blocks, 2 of each grit.
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