Sandpaper Grit Guide: What Each Grit Is For
How sandpaper grit numbers work, what each grit range is for, and 4 sandpaper packs compared by grit, use and sheet count.
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You have a board to smooth before the finish goes on, and the drawer holds a stack of sandpaper sheets with numbers you cannot quite read. Pick the wrong sheet and you leave marks the finish will show; pick the right one and the surface is ready for the finish. This sandpaper grit guide explains how grit numbers work, what each grit range is for, and which pack to grab for the job in front of you.
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Below: how grit numbers work, what each grit range is for, when wet sanding helps, and 4 sandpaper packs compared by grit, use and sheet count.
BOSHCRAFT 24 PCS 9" x 11" Wet Dry Sand Paper
A 24-sheet wet or dry sandpaper assortment with 3 sheets each of 60 to 2500 grit, in aluminum oxide and silicon carbide, for wood, metal, plastic and automotive finishes.
Pros
- 8 grits from 60 to 2500, 3 sheets of each
- Wet or dry sanding on wood, metal, plastic and automotive finishes
- No-clog coating resists clogging and static
- Aluminum oxide and silicon carbide for a sharp cut
Cons
- No warranty term stated
- No safety listing stated
- Only 3 sheets of each grit
- No between-coats use stated
Fandeli | Multi-Purpose Sanding Paper
A 25-sheet sanding paper set in 80, 120 and 220 grit, 9 by 11 inches, in aluminum oxide for metal and wood, hand sanding and orbital sanders.
Pros
- 25 sheets: 5 of 80 grit, 10 of 120 grit, 10 of 220 grit
- Aluminum oxide mineral on heavy duty paper
- Resists clogging and can be used over and over
- Cuts to fit hand sanders and power sanders
Cons
- No warranty term stated
- No safety listing stated
- Title says 25 sheets but the spec table says 50 items
- Wet or dry use not stated
3M Aluminum Oxide Sandpaper, 5 Sheets
A 2-pack of 3M aluminum oxide sandpaper, 5 sheets per pack in 100, 150 and 220 grit, 9 by 11 inches, for general purpose sanding on paint, wood and metal.
Pros
- 100, 150 and 220 grit for general purpose sanding
- Sands paint, wood or metal
- Use by hand, on a block, or cut for a power sander
- 2-pack gives 10 sheets
Cons
- No warranty term stated
- No safety listing stated
- No grit finer than 220
- Wet or dry use not stated
3M Wetordry Sandpaper, 5 Sheets, 9 in x 11
A 5-sheet pack of 3M Wetordry sandpaper, 9 by 11 inches, in silicon carbide for wet and dry sanding between coats of varnish, lacquer, paint and other finishes.
Pros
- Silicon carbide, a sharp synthetic mineral that cuts fast and smooth
- Wet and dry sanding
- Made for sanding between coats of varnish, lacquer, paint and other finishes
- 9 by 11 inch sheets, the same size as the other packs here
Cons
- No warranty term stated
- No safety listing stated
- Grit numbers not stated
- Only 5 sheets
Sandpaper grit guide: how grit numbers work
The grit number tells you how coarse or fine the abrasive is: a lower number means coarser grains that take off more material, and a higher number means finer grains that leave a smoother surface. The stated grits here run from 60 at the coarse end to 2500 at the fine end, and every grit in between is a step toward a smoother surface. Work from a coarse grit toward a fine one, and let each sheet do its own job: the coarse sheet shapes and removes, the middle sheets smooth, and the fine sheets polish the surface for the finish. The BOSHCRAFT pack marks each grit by color and by number, so you can tell the grits apart at a glance.
What each grit range is for
Match the grit to the job: coarse grits take off material, middle grits smooth the surface, and fine grits prepare it for a finish. The table below lists the grits in these packs and the uses their listings state.
| Grit | In these packs | Use the listing states |
|---|---|---|
| 60, 80 | BOSHCRAFT 60, Fandeli 80 | Paint removal, stain removal, wood, metal, automotive finishes |
| 100, 120, 150, 220 | 3M 100, 150, 220; Fandeli 120, 220; BOSHCRAFT 120 | General purpose sanding on paint, wood and metal; metal and wood |
| 320 to 2500 | BOSHCRAFT | Wet or dry sanding, auto body work, polishing surfaces |
| Assorted, not stated | 3M Wetordry | Sanding between coats of varnish, lacquer, paint and other finishes |
Read the grit list before you buy: the 3M Wetordry pack is the only one here made for sanding between coats, and it is also the only one that does not state its grit numbers. The BOSHCRAFT pack is the only one here that reaches past 320 grit, into the fine wet-sanding range. The Fandeli and 3M 9005NA packs sit in the middle, with grits from 80 to 220.
Wet or dry: when water helps
2 of the packs here state wet or dry sanding: the BOSHCRAFT set and the 3M Wetordry. The BOSHCRAFT listing states that wet sanding minimizes scratches, removes loose abrasive particles and reduces airborne dust, and the Wetordry paper is made for wet and dry sanding between coats. The 3M 9005NA and the Fandeli packs state no wet or dry use. Wet sanding suits finish work and auto body, where the water carries away dust and loose grit; dry sanding suits general shaping and removal on wood and metal.
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The gear: 4 sandpaper packs
The packs below cover the grits above: check the grit list and the wet or dry use, then pick the pack whose grits match the job.
Pick the pack that matches the job
The BOSHCRAFT set runs from 60 to 2500 grit, wet or dry, so it is the only pack here that takes you from coarse removal to fine polishing. The Fandeli set is the middle ground, with 25 sheets in 80, 120 and 220 grit for metal and wood. The 3M 9005NA is the general purpose pack, with 10 sheets in 100, 150 and 220 grit for paint, wood and metal. The 3M Wetordry is the finish pack, with 5 sheets for sanding between coats, though it does not state its grit numbers. All 4 packs use 9 by 11 inch sheets, and the 3M 9005NA, BOSHCRAFT and Fandeli listings state block sanding. The 3M and Fandeli sheets cut to fit smaller sanders.
FAQ: garage tools
What grit sandpaper should I start with?
Start with the coarse end of the job: the BOSHCRAFT pack starts at 60 grit and the Fandeli at 80, while the 3M 9005NA starts at 100. Use a coarse grit for removal and paint stripping, then move to the middle grits, 120 to 220, and finish with the fine grits, 320 to 2500, for polishing. The pack you buy should hold the grits your job needs, from coarse to fine.
Can I use sandpaper wet or dry?
2 packs here state wet or dry use: the BOSHCRAFT set and the 3M Wetordry. The BOSHCRAFT listing states that wet sanding minimizes scratches, removes loose abrasive particles and reduces airborne dust. The 3M 9005NA and the Fandeli packs state no wet or dry use, so check the listing before you use them wet.
What is the difference between aluminum oxide and silicon carbide sandpaper?
Aluminum oxide is the mineral in the 3M 9005NA, Fandeli and BOSHCRAFT packs, and silicon carbide is the mineral in the BOSHCRAFT and 3M Wetordry packs. The Wetordry listing calls silicon carbide a sharp synthetic mineral that cuts fast and smooth. The BOSHCRAFT pack is the only pack here with aluminum oxide and silicon carbide together.
Can I cut sandpaper sheets to fit my sander?
Yes, for the packs that state it: the 3M 9005NA listing states you can cut the sheets to size for a power tool sander, and the Fandeli listing states the sheets cut to fit hand sanders and power sanders. All 4 packs use 9 by 11 inch sheets. The BOSHCRAFT and Wetordry listings state no cutting, so check the sheet size against your sander before you order.
What grit is best for sanding between coats of paint?
The 3M Wetordry pack is made for sanding between coats of varnish, lacquer, paint and other finishes, and it works wet or dry. Its grit numbers are not stated, so the listing does not name a grit for the job. Buy it for the between-coats use it states.
Related: see our sandpaper grit chart, the best DA sander kit, our best sandpaper sponge picks and our garage upgrades hub.
