As my shaping and surfing habit progresses my bank account progresses downward steadily. It seems like some sandpaper is really expensive around here( San Diego). Does anyone know of a cheap source of good sandpaper? What do you guys do? Thanks. Darren
just like a lot of things, buying in bulk helps; buying the right stuff helps; and shopping around helps. I’ve gotten some good deals on Ebay. Tool Depot is also good, excellent assortment.
I was a Harbor Frieght awhile back and picked up some 40 60 and 80 grit black sand paper.I used it on my power sander. Some of the grit got into the glass.I didn’t see it till after I glossed.My eyes aren’t what they used to be. To late by then. So watch out for the really cheap sand paper. Gordon
Howzit daren, Cheap sand paper doesn’t last as long, that’s why it’s cheaper. I use Hermes paper which is a good quality sand paper. The sand paper they sell at the hardware store lasts only about half as long as the Hermes and it costs about twice as much, so in the end the cheap paper ends up costing you more. Also buying in bulk does save some money.Aloha,Kokua
Marukai $0.99 Store
whole package of assorted paper for $0.99
Like kokua says though junk…
Finnish or Japanese paper they use for the Festools Hardware are it…
1 good sheet = 5 junkie sheet
less gunking
hey kokua,
when polishing out gloss coats what kind of sand paper do you use? I have an account through hermes, since they make it less than 10 miles from me. My favorite sandpaper ever is the blue cloth backed 100 grit from hermes. J-flex 100 i think is what they call it.
Austin S.
Good sandpaper clogs up before it wears out.I use a rubber sanding belt eraser to make it last longer.Just hold it on the pad while the grinder is spinning and you will double the mileage. RB
An alternative to the sandpaper eraser is crepe shoe soles from 70’s. I always knew that something good would come from the disco era.
To make sandpaper last a bit longer have a good stiff brush handy. Old toothbrushes are good but I have found denture brushes work best (get them from your grandparents). Every now and then stop and brush/scrape off the residue before it gets too imbedded (‘gummed up’).
I recently found this great sandpaper by 3M called Sandblaster. I bought it at Target! It comes in a pack of three medium size sheets and is more expensive (about $2.50) but well worth the extra expense. It lasts quite a bit longer, doesn‘t gum up, and sands much, much faster (very important with epoxy). Also more tear resistant.
Howzit Austin, I use nothing but Hermes sandpaper since it’s a good quality. I haven’t used the blue backed paper though and I don’t know if F.H. even carries that one. And like Mr. Clean suggests I have one of those rubber things but always forget it’s on the shelf.For sanding glosses I use their wet/dry paper but only use it dry. Aloha,Kokua
Hey Kokua,
Like you and others, once you get used to a certain brand that works well for you, there’s usually not much reason to switch. I’ve also used Hermes for years and like it much. I’ve tried the newer 3-M product mentioned by Retro and also Norton’s version called 3X, both of which impressed me greatly. Sandpapers have improved greatly over the past 35 years from the old thin garnet papers and quality is worth the investment. I agree that the most expensive paper is the cheap one you have to discard before buying the right one.
I’ve also been using the 3M “sandblaster with good results. I get about 3x the mileage from it, but I’ve never seen it finer than 320. Like Kokua, I also use wet/dry paper dry only. If the paper isn’t worn too bad, I take it off the pad, rinse and scrub it with a toothbrush and then let it dry for reuse. I like 3M “Imperial” which is used mainly for automotive finishes and cost about $1 per sheet. For an 8” pad, you’ll use a whole sheet, so I only do 80 and 120 on that to get things flat. I then switch to a 6" which takes a little longer but you get 2 per sheet. I also have a Festool sander and that paper lasts a long time, but it’s hook & loop which has holes in it for the vacuum system.
Cheap paper can wreck a good glass job, and good paper is always cheaper than reglassing costs. Don’t use that garnet paper from the .99 store.
I like the flexy foam wet dry blocks here in oz there really good and only like $3.00au each. there pretty good on durability too.
3M wet/dry paper from the auto parts store has always worked for me, surfboards or furniture.
I clean it with a soft brass-bristle brush designed for cleaning non-stick barbecue grills. Set the sander on low rpm and hold the brush to it.
I also use a lot of ACE hardware sanding belts for belt sanders. (Captain Obvious to the rescue!) Cut in half, they’re 24" long which is a great length for holding each end and ‘sawing’ back & forth around a rail. Or staple them to a block of wood and get a long, flat shaping tool for taking down planer lines. They last years on foam and many boards on glass, too.
Yes, it does exist. Used and often new sandpaper is thrown away more now than ever before.
When I was a kid I got all the free sandpaper I wanted… smaller pieces and torn sanding belts thrown away by local cabinet makers/carpenters, and much larger reject sections from an industrial plywood manufacturer.