Orbital Clamped Sander Sheets

Abrasives smooth, shape, clean and key surfaces before painting, varnishing or repair. This category covers sandpaper and glasspaper sheets, emery cloth sheets and rolls, wet and dry paper, sanding blocks, non-woven finishing pads and surface conditioning discs, wire wool, and hand and drill-mounted wire brushes.

Grit and grades

Most sheets and rolls are graded on the FEPA P scale, set out in ISO 6344, where a lower number means a coarser grit. As a general guide:

• Coarse (around P40 to P60): stripping old finishes and removing material quickly.
• Medium (around P80 to P120): removing surface marks and keying a surface before the first coat.
• Fine (P150 and above): final smoothing of light imperfections.

Work up through the grades rather than jumping straight from coarse to fine. Wire wool is sold in grades from coarse to very fine.

Choosing the abrasive

Aluminium oxide is a hard-wearing all-round grain for wood and metal. Silicon carbide is used on wet and dry paper, which has a waterproof backing so water can carry the dust away and reduce clogging. Emery cloth suits metal, and wire brushes remove rust, scale and flaking paint.

Dust and safety

Wood dust can cause asthma, and hardwood dust can cause cancer of the nose. Use extraction or a suitable dust mask, and clean up with a vacuum rather than a brush. Paint in homes built before the 1980s may contain lead: do not dry sand or burn it off, use wet abrasive paper instead. With power tools, follow the manufacturer's instructions and safety data.

For sanding machines and discs, see power tool spares and accessories, or browse decorating tools and sundries.