10 Best Sandpapers for Wood UK 2022 | 3M, Klingspor and More
In this article, we aim to help you determine the ideal grade, grain and grit for a successful woodworking project. We compare sandpapers from trusted brands such as 3M, Bosch and Klingspor to save you time and money. Still unsure of which one to go for? Read on for our reviews of the best sandpapers for wood to buy online in the UK on Amazon and eBay!
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How to Choose a Sandpaper for Wood in the UK – Buying Guide
Understanding the properties of different sandpapers will take the confusion out of selecting the best sandpaper for your project. Below, we'll explain the basics of what you need to know when comparing type and grade to help you select a suitable sandpaper for wood online.
① Choose the Right Grade Sandpaper for the Task and Finish You Require
Take into consideration the grade of sandpaper you need before you make your choice. Some grades will scratch or damage wood, while others simply won’t be up to the task. The lower the grade, the rougher the sandpaper; to get the best results you should choose the right grade for the purpose you require.
Use Coarse 60 or 80-Grit Sandpaper Before Painting or to Remove Paint or Wood Quickly
In addition, layering new paint over the top of an old coat won’t give a good result and will lead to flaking over time. If you are planning to repurpose previously finished wood or up-cycle wooden furniture, sanding will remove any old paint and varnish to create a fresh surface.
60-grit sandpaper is generally the roughest sandpaper used for woodworking, although especially rough 40-grit sandpapers are also available. Use coarse sandpaper when you want to remove wood quickly and aggressively. 60 and 80-grit are perfect for flattening out gouges and removing loose fibres, old paint, and varnish.
Medium 100-Grit Sandpaper Is Best for All-Purpose Woodworking
Medium sandpapers are an excellent go-to for general-use woodworking. 100-grit sandpaper is rough enough to remove defects without being too abrasive, so it should be the last step you will need to take in levelling uneven surfaces before finishing.
Medium sandpapers are also a pretty good choice for rounding edges and corners of tables, cupboards or photo frames. Lower-grit sandpapers do a fine job of blocking out rough shapes, but if you are wanting to curve a chair leg or perfect the knobs on a chest of drawers, you should opt for 100 or 120-grit.
Fine 180-Grit Sandpapers Are Ideal for Finishing
Never jump straight from coarse to fine: using a medium sandpaper as an in-between gets rid of any remaining crags and splinters that might snag and tear fine sandpaper.
Use high-grit sandpapers only sparingly, too, as excessive sanding may cause over-polishing, which prevents stain from penetrating the wood evenly and leaves your finish spotty with shiny spots and streaks. To combat this, try rubbing 100-grit sandpaper across the grain to rough up the surface for more consistent stain application.
② Aluminium Oxide and Garnet Sandpapers Are Best for Sanding Wood
While there are sandpapers of several different grain types on the market, not all are suitable for woodworking. The best type we recommend that is most readily available is aluminium oxide mineral sandpapers.
Another option to consider is garnet sandpaper, which is a natural abrasive and is usually recognisable by its brownish-red colour; often less expensive but also wears out quicker than other types. However, due to lack of availability, we have not added garnet sandpapers to our ranking list.
Aluminium oxide on the other hand is a man-made abrasive which is most commonly used in power sanders, although it is equally suited to hand sanding. It is more durable than garnet, however, it can leave a slightly less refined finish.
③ Consider Size and Shape Relative to Your Sanding Requirements
If you are planning to use an electric sander, save time and energy by buying pre-cut individual sheets. Unlike sandpaper sheets or rolls, these also come in round and tear shapes for use with orbital or corner sanders. Look for ones with Velcro backing for secure attachment and easy removal.
Top 10 Best Sandpapers for Wood in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 3M SandBlaster Assorted Sandpaper Sheets | | The Best Sandpaper Assortment for a Start-to-Finish Project | |
2 | Faithfull Aluminium Oxide Paper Roll | | An Extra-Coarse Option for Smoothing Wood Fast | |
3 | Klingspor 4-Roll Aluminium Oxide Sandpaper Set | | Flexible Rolls Ideal for Getting Into Nooks and Crannies | |
4 | Fandeli Multipurpose Sandpaper Sheets | | A Sandpaper That Stays Sharper for Longer | |
5 | 3M Sandblaster Medium Bare Surfaces Roll | | A Convenient and Versatile Medium Sandpaper Roll | |
6 | LESNIC 100-Piece Sandpaper Discs for Orbital Sander | | A Great Assortment for Use With Orbital Sanders | |
7 | Klingspor Fine Aluminium Oxide Sandpaper Roll | | Best Fine Sandpaper for Sanding Large Surface Areas | |
8 | Bosch 25-Piece Sanding Sheet Set | | Sturdy, High Quality Sheet Set for Multi-Sanders | |
9 | Mirka Hiomant Abrasive Sandpaper Roll | | A Strong and Durable Coarse Sandpaper | |
10 | Klingspor Dry Sandpaper Sheets | | A4 Sheets for Finishing Soft Woods or Removing Varnish |
The Best Sandpaper Assortment for a Start-to-Finish Project
The small size of the pack means you won’t be stuck buying more than you need, however, you can always make this sandpaper go further by cutting it down to size. These sheets are best for hand sanding flat areas but are versatile enough for all kinds of woodwork projects. They can even be used with an electric sander!
An Extra-Coarse Option for Smoothing Wood Fast
When cut to the appropriate length, these 115 mm wide rolls can also be used on half sheet sanders. You'll need a couple of other rolls with a higher grit to finish off your job, but this paper from tradesperson-focused brand Faithfull will start you off better than any.
Flexible Rolls Ideal for Getting Into Nooks and Crannies
The flexibility of this paper makes it great for using to sand inside tight spots and around corners, as well as for wrapping tightly to a sanding block or electric sheet sander.
A Sandpaper That Stays Sharper for Longer
A Convenient and Versatile Medium Sandpaper Roll
This is a great go-to sandpaper for a wide variety of jobs, and as it's easy to cut and tear you only need to use the amount you require. The compact 5-metre roll fits perfectly in your tool box, ready for when you need it.
A Great Assortment for Use With Orbital Sanders
Great for general grinding, polishing and sanding, this aluminium-oxide sandpaper is suitable for use with a polishing compound. Plus, if you have other DIY jobs to do, these discs are also suitable for removing rust, polishing metal, and sanding glass, plastic and rubber.
Best Fine Sandpaper for Sanding Large Surface Areas
This 10-metre roll is an economical choice for those who do a lot of sanding, as the tightly-packed aluminium oxide grain stays razor sharp for a long time, giving you more for your money. You can also cut it to size for use with belt sanders for finishing large areas such as doors and tabletops.
Sturdy, High Quality Sheet Set for Multi-Sanders
This pack contains 25 sheets of three grit types, which can be used for filler, paint and lacquer as well as bare wood. And don't worry if you don't have a Bosch-brand sander, as the sheets are universal and have a nylon hook-and-loop fastening system that keeps the paper firmly in place, allowing you to change sheets quickly and easily.
A Strong and Durable Coarse Sandpaper
While it's slightly pricer than some, the 50-metre roll is also five times longer! The only other thing to note is that this sandpaper is backed with heavyweight paper, making it slightly rigid and not as flexible as other papers.
A4 Sheets for Finishing Soft Woods or Removing Varnish
This paper is just coarse enough for the removal of remaining varnish, paint or lacquer, and comes in full-sized A4 sheets for convenience. Though affordable, the sheets are a bit thinner and thus not as durable as other options, so we don’t recommend them for use with electric sanders.
Sanding Tips: Good Technique Will Produce the Best Results
Never skip grit numbers when sanding to finish; you should sand progressively in sequence from coarse to fine. This not only gives better results but avoids wasting time scrubbing rough areas with a sandpaper grade that is too weak. Always sand parallel to the grain of the wood as sanding across the grain creates scratches.
Sanding produces a lot of dust that can be harmful if inhaled and irritating to the eyes. Make sure to always wear suitable protective eyewear and respiratory equipment for safe sanding. Cut down on excess sawdust by wiping down projects with a damp cloth and hoovering the area you are working in between sanding.
More Useful Tools and Accessories for Woodworking
As well as the right roll or sheet of sandpaper, you're probably going to need a few other bits and pieces to get started on your next project or two. Here are our recommendations for the best cordless drills, screwdriver sets and exterior paints to help you find what you need.
Summary
Although how you go about sanding is dependent on personal preference, keep in mind that different materials require different types of sandpaper. We hope this article has helped you discern which properties and papers are best suited for sanding wood!
Author: Wren Mann
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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