![]() The smaller the grit number, the bigger the chunks and the more aggressive the sandpaper is.įor instance, sandpaper with a P40 grit rating has large chunks. ![]() Sandpaper is graded by grit, which really just means how aggressive the sandpaper is, based on the size of abrasive chunks stuck to it. You may want to check out our Paint and Bodywork Buyer’s Guide as well. We also created a six-part Automotive Paint Guide series that might be helpful here. This is a companion article to the Choosing the Right Body Fillerstory. ![]() Sanding is one of the most critical steps in proper body and paint prep, so make sure you’re using the right sandpaper. So…yeah, it’s vital to get it right the first time. Why? Sanding not only smooths and straightens the surface you’re painting, it ultimately helps the paint stick to the substrate. And selecting the right grit to use for each stage of the paint and body prep process is critical to laying down a good paint job. 2Sand.When it comes to automotive bodywork, there are many, many different grades of sandpaper grit. So next time you are wondering if the 120 grit sanding disk in your hand actually is cutting faster than you thought it would, be sure to check the actual label or talk to your supplier,and see which standard was used for grading!Īs ever, we invite you to share your thoughts and knowledge with us by commenting here on the blog, on our Facebook page, or via Twitter. I know that at times I have rubbed a new sheet of sandpaper on a cement floor to "break down" the grit a little bit because it was just a little too aggressive for the task at hand. Now in truth, for most of us the difference between the CAMI and FEPA scales makes little enough difference on a day to day basis, but it is important to know about since there are times when the grit choice is important. Add to this that the Japanese abrasives scale is different than the other two, and the plot thickens!Īnd while the rougher abrasives are pretty close if not exactly the same, at higher numbers, the differences become greater so a 400 grit CAMI falls between FEPA's P600 and P800! ![]() So P80 sandpaper is slightly more aggressive than 80 grit. 80 grit abrasive particles average 201 microns while P80 averages 192. But the two systems are NOT exactly the same, so an 80 grit sanding disk is NOT exactly the same as one labeled "P80". More recently, most manufacturers have switched to the FEPA system with a "P" preceding the number. For a long time, sanding supplies here in the US were labeled with the CAMI system which just used numbers. And then, to add to the confusion, a while back manufacturers changed the numbering standards almost without bothering to mention it, or why! We are here to help sort it out for you.įirst, you need to understand that there are different agencies that decide what grits are what numbers! There is the Coated Abrasives Manufacturer's Institute (CAMI) in the US and the Federation of European Producers of Abrasives (FEPA) in Europe. ![]() In the case of sandpaper, this means bigger particles and more aggressive stock removal. Like wire sizes, smaller numbers actually mean larger. But the sizing on sandpaper grit numbers seem to be backwards. No matter what sort of sanding supplies you are reaching for, the first decision you need to make is what sandpaper grit to start with. ![]()
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