Sanding Sheets and Pads

Premium Sanding Sheets and Pads

Although a lot of sanding jobs are done using machinery, there are times when you need to get more hands-on. Maybe you need to prepare a wood surface for a final stain and topcoat finish or your workpiece has an unusual shape that won’t accommodate most power sanders. When this happens, you need a high-quality, durable sanding sheet or pad.

At Fintech Abrasives, our premium sanding sheets and pads can help you add those finishing touches. Each one is carefully manufactured from industrial-grade abrasives and backed with materials that maintain their strength and shape during the most demanding or unique applications. We have grits available from 80 to 5000 as well as products for wet sanding applications. If you need a custom order for a special project, talk to us today!

When Should You Sand Your Projects By Hand?

While power sanders work faster, there are several situations when you should sand your projects by hand. For example:

• Smaller Workpieces: For smaller projects, it may be more practical to sand by hand rather than using a power sander. Hand sanding allows you to have more precision and control, and you can easily reach into tight spaces.

• Delicate or Intricate Surfaces: If the workpiece surface has intricate details, hand sanding allows you to have more control over the sandpaper and the pressure applied to the surface.

• Sanding Between Coats of Finish: When applying multiple coats of finish, you often need to sand between each coat to ensure a smooth surface. Hand sanding with fine grit sandpaper allows you to remove any bumps or imperfections without damaging the previous layer of finish.

• Final Preparation Before Finishing: Hand sanding is also useful for final preparation before finishing a project. When you sand by hand with fine grit sandpaper, it can remove any remaining imperfections and ensure a smooth, even surface for the finish.

• Finishing Touches: Hand sanding is perfect for the finishing touches on a project. After using a power sander, you can hand sand with fine grit sandpaper to remove any remaining roughness and create a smooth finish.

Abrasive Materials Used on Sanding Sheets and Pads

The most common abrasive materials used for hand sanding are highlighted below.

Aluminum Oxide

Aluminum oxide abrasives are commonly used in woodworking and metalworking to remove surface imperfections, smooth rough surfaces, and prepare surfaces for painting or finishing. Our aluminum oxide sheets are available in different grits, ranging from coarse to fine, to suit different applications. The grains fracture during use, exposing fresh cutting surfaces as work progresses.

Aluminum oxide sanding sheets can be used on a variety of materials, including wood, metal, plastics, and ceramics. It is often preferred over other types of abrasive grains because it is long-lasting and resists clogging, which helps to maintain its cutting efficiency during use.

Silicon Carbide

Silicon carbide sanding sheets are available in a variety of grits, ranging from coarse to fine. The coarser grits are used for heavy-duty sanding and material removal, while the finer grits are used for finishing and polishing.

The versatility of silicon carbide sandpaper makes it suitable for both wet and dry surfaces. Wet sanding is often used for automotive applications, where water is used to lubricate the surface and prevent the sanding sheets from clogging. Dry sanding, on the other hand, is more common in woodworking and metalworking.

Techniques for Hand Sanding

In most cases, hand sanding starts at the point where your power sanding tools have smoothed the surface as much as possible. However, some projects with intricate detailing and curves may have areas that even the smallest detail sanders can’t smooth, requiring hand sanding as a final touch. 

Here are some tips for the best results:

• Choose the Right Grit: Start by selecting the appropriate grit sheet for the job. Use a coarse grit for heavy sanding, medium grit for smoothing, and fine grit for finishing.

• Sand With the Grain: Always sand in the direction of the wood grain to avoid scratching or damaging the surface. Use a back-and-forth motion and wipe the surface clean between passes. This will remove dust and keep the wood pores clear so that subsequent sanding actions remain effective.

• Apply Consistent Pressure: Apply even pressure as you sand to prevent over-sanding or creating uneven areas.

• Change Sanding Sheets When Needed: Change out your sanding sheet or pad if it becomes clogged with dust or debris. This will help you achieve a smoother finish and prevent damage to the application.

Sanding Pads vs. Sanding Blocks

While you can use both sanding pads and sanding blocks to smooth surfaces by hand, they have some key differences that may make one more suitable for a particular project than the other.

A sanding pad is a flat or slightly curved pad made of flexible foam or rubber. Fintech Abrasives sells premium-quality dense foam sponges that do an excellent job of hand sanding contours, edges, and recesses in your workpiece.

On the other hand, a sanding block is a hand-held tool made of wood, foam, or rubber. Sanding blocks are reusable and can even be used with sandpaper sheets, which are attached to the block by folding or clamping.

The main advantage of using a sanding block is that it allows you to apply even pressure, resulting in a more consistent sanding job. A sanding pad, on the other hand, is designed for use with contoured surfaces that you can’t touch with a more rigid tool.

Sanding Sheets and Pads FAQs

Where Are Your Sanding Sheets and Pads Shipped From?

Fintech Abrasives has a dedicated manufacturing facility in Belding, Michigan. We manufacture all of our abrasive products there and ship orders from this location within three to four business days. Orders placed before 11:00 a.m. EST can often be shipped out within 24 hours.

Does Fintech Ship Sanding Sheets and Pads Internationally?

Yes, we are pleased to offer international shipping to customers across the globe. We are proud of our reputation as an industry-leading abrasive manufacturer and can supply sanding sheets and pads to you no matter where you are. Shipping options are also convenient, reliable, and affordable. If you are located outside of the United States and would like to place an order, please call (888) 223-8768  Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. EST, and we can provide you with a custom, no-obligation shipping quote.

Are Custom Sanding Sheets Available?

Fintech can custom manufacture any of our abrasive products to suit a particular project or application, sanding sheets, and pads included. Let us know what you have in mind and we can work with you to create the custom abrasive you need. 

Depending on the current production volume, custom orders have a typical turnaround time of two to four days. If you need more information or would like to place an order, please call (888) 223-8768, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. EST, or use our custom order form.

At Fintech, We Have the Sanding Sheets and Pads You’re Looking For

At Fintech Abrasives, our sanding sheets and pads are made from high-quality materials that ensure a smooth and efficient sanding experience. We understand the importance of having the right sanding tool for the job, and that's why our products are engineered to meet and exceed customer expectations. So whether you are sanding wood, metal, or any other surface, our sanding sheets and pads are guaranteed to provide you with a smooth and flawless finish.