Favorite Sand Paper - All the same?

Okay, I know they’re not all the same but what do you like? Since there are a lot of threads on the sanding topic right now, I thought I’d throw it out there. I met a couple Sway guys recently and they had pretty clear opinions about what they like.

Just yesterday I was working on a delam with HarborFreight silicon carbide paper. I bought it because it was a good price. I was surprised how quick it went dull and started heating up. I tried some basic garnet paper from Home Depot and it lasted way longer.

So, what do you like and do you know a place to get it cheap? Garnet, silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, what do you say?

Thanks.

I use Rhynalox, made in Portugal. I get it from Florida Fiberglass(name?) in Rockledge Florida. Tom Neilson gave me a sheet to try out and I am sold on it. The sheet he gave me is still going after 5 boards. I think it is the same paper that the glass factory uses that glasses my boards. It is available in all grit sizes. I only shape boards so I don’t know how it works otherwise. Hope this helps, have a good one.

Yep, Rhynalox is the best …:slight_smile:

Howzit Ryan, I prefer the brand called Hermes that I get fron F.Hi… Long lasting and pretty good price for all grits.Aloha,Kokua

Ryan,

I am with Kokua. Hermes makes great sandpaper. We have a Hermes factory in Virginia Beach. For the upper grits we use 3M wet/dry (tri-mite?). Definitely not all the same.

Troy

Thanks guys. 2 brands I hadn’t heard of before. I’ll look into both of them.

Today I picked up some more Norton from Home Depot which is way better than the Harbor Freight paper but I know there are others out there.

Thanks again.

TS, love the shoes. :wink:

Put me on the Hermes band wagon. Good stuff!

I swear by KLINGSPOR, it is a german made abrasive cloth. They have distributors here in the states. It is great because it lasts a long time, and because it is cloth back not paper back, it wraps around curved edges and does not crack. Hope that helps.

Another satisfied Hermes customer here. It’s an aluminum oxide paper using a white adhesive. The grit coating is closed-coat, meaning (IIRC) that the grit is basically covering 100 percent of the surface.

Before Hermes, I used Norton Adalox, an open coat aluminum oxide paper. Nice and sharp, brown in color, but not as long lasting as the Hermes.

I wonder what the blue stuff is that the body shops use. Anyone?

I’ve been poking around looking for Hermes. Amazon has two types, the SA 167 and HCAB. Any Hermes fans know which type they’re using.

I think they make a sapphire blue paper. I read a comment on a woodworking site about blue grit on yellow paper by Hermes.

Art,

 

Do you know the line of Rhynalox sandpaper you use? What grits are good?

 

Hermes is good, doesn't clog.  Klingspor doesn't clog stays sharp too.  Being stearated abrasives, they could possibly leave some waxy residue.  Rhyno paper is quite good, the pre-cut sticky is pretty handy.  Keeps a good tooth for a long time.  Only problem I have found was a slight scratch remaining after the previous grit with can leave a little bit of light dazzle.  In all these cases, grit sequence is critical. One paper I have found which so far performs better than any other brand is Rikken.  It is made by a Japanese company and produced in Indonesia.  Rikken was specifically designed to sand surfboards.  These guys did their homework.  Cuts poly and epoxy with low heat and accuracy that is noticibly superior.  I get mine from a supplier in Gardena, California called Surf Supply.  The parent company is called Fiberglass Services. 

Again, all these papers are really good, but if you're really into perfecting your finishes whilst being able to be productive and cost-effective, these were my findings.  I get samples of paper sent to me to try quite a bit so I try to have an open mind to it all...

 

George

i use rhynolox plus line paper, cleans up real nice with cleaner.

 

what are people using as an adhesive?

ive been using spray glue but then it rips the paper so you cant reuse, ive seen the stik-e stuff that foamez sells, but cant get any here.

did someone mention a while ago how to make your own? 

,

wow that feathering adhesive is expensive!!

if i remember someone said they had heard of impact/contact adhesive mixed with ? was being used??

 

Always used Tacki but when I tried this stuff it instantly turned my ‘sanding department’ on it’s head for the better. AIR TAC temporary spray adhesive, one second spray on the back of the paper, wave it in the air once or twice, stick to pad, paper stays put as long as you need it to, comes off easy with ZERO goo left behind on the paper or pad. your pads will love you for it, no more gooey build up, no paper stuck to the pad or paper moving around. a short spray per use, the can lasts a long long time. I found it at the Honolulu Fiberglass Hawaii, though seems rather hard to find on the www.

Ha I love that comment about the sanding dept. Bud.

My shaper is getting pissed off at my glasser because there’s only one set of stand mounts and there’s no more room to store boards in progress. The longer the shaped blank sits the more chance that the blank will get messed up. My glasser is pissed because he ran out of glass, and the accountant won’t give him money to get more. The accountant blames everything on his business partner, who has all the supplies, but left town on a business trip. My partner is pissed at me because I rather go surfing than finish the boards in progress.

Oh well, surf’s up, I’m out of here. Maybe next week.