The micro grit types of sandpaper grit are classified as follows and are primarily used for small, precise sanding, like taking off coats of finish or smoothing small areas of buildup. This is used to initiate wood polishing. FEPA standards classify these types of sandpaper grit as P400, P500, or P600 while CAMI classifies them as 360 or 320, and diameter sizes range between 25.8 to 36.0 micrometers. Super Fine

These types of sandpaper grit classes ensure rapid material removal. As per FEPA standards, these are classified as P40 or P50 and are denoted as 40, 50, or 60 by CAMI standards. The typical diameter of the sandpaper grit ranges between 336 to 425 micrometers. This sandpaper allows you to clear away a layer of finish or debris with little effort. However, it may not leave behind the smoothest surface texture. Medium It is also the common choice when sanding painted walls, smoothing out plaster and rubbing down filler to blend in with the surface it's on. P80 sandpaper is gonna rub down any flaky paintwork. It’s gonna help to rub down would get you some smooth edges. As you’ve already notices, we opted for the “P” grade system since that is largely what we use in our projects. It’s also the international standard for denoting the coarseness of an abrasive. The Coarser Abrasive Grades Coarseprovides moderate material removal, smooths rough surfaces, and removes moderate rust, gouges, and deep scratches. Coarse grade grits range from 40 to 60.

Macro Grits

Starting with the wrong sandpaper grit can add hours to your woodworking project. A grit that is too coarse may remove more material than desired and ruin the wood. And using a sanding grade that is too fine will burn time that you can’t afford to lose. But now, those days are over—provided you see our guide sooner than later. We grabbed every piece of sandpaper from our tool bag (except P150, sorry P150) and scribbled down the most common uses for each one. Since every grit level serves a specific purpose in our workshop, we want to share that information so you can avoid wasting time (& money) on the wrong sandpaper. Super fine micro grade paper is ideal to sand the final layer of finish on wood. It is just strong enough to thin patches and small inconsistencies in the layer's application, but not rough enough to actually remove anything that would want to be kept. FEPA classifies them as P800, P1000, or P1200 while CAMI classifies them as 400, 500, or 600, and average diameter sizes range from 15.3 to 23.0 micrometers. Ultra Fine

Very fine sandpaper grit is used for sanding over bare wood. As per FEPA standards, such sandpaper grit is denoted by P150, P180, and P220, while CAMI standards denote them as 150, 180, or 220. The diameter of the particles ranges between 66 to 100 micrometers. Micro Grits The Grit grades below are a guide to the commonly found sandpapers available and thier uses. Manufacturers differ on the scale but this is the average. P120 Sandpaper– Any wood that was too soft for P80 will start the latter at P120. We generally use this grit when first smoothing pine, redwood, & cedar. Lastly, enamel paints and polyurethane don’t require the wood to be sanded beyond P120. The only exception would be a clear satin finish, in which case you may want to eliminate any scratches left on the wood with P150 or P180. Grits above 320 such as 400 to 600 are typically used to get a really fine finish on wood ready for waxing or polishing. It can also be used to smooth out a top coat and fine wet sanding.P80 Sandpaper– This is the starting grit for most hardwoods and is a staple for every wood worker. P80 grit is the best option for removing saw blade burns and deeper surface scratches. In the case that you’re working with a hardwood like Poplar, you can probably jump the line to P120. Medium Sanding Grades

This kind of grit is used to sand bare wood to prepare it for varnish removal or final finishing. The FEPA standards denote such types of sandpaper grit by P60, or P80, and CAMI standards denote it as 80. The diameter of the particles ranges between 190 to 265 micrometers. Fine P220 Sandpaper– For novice woodworkers, it’s time that we tell you that you have to sand with multiple grits. And P220 is generally the go-to 2nd & 3rd level abrasive for prepping wood for oil finishes. But in the case that you’re applying a wood stain, your destination does stop here. Finishing Sandpaper Grits P180 Sandpaper– If you encounter a raised wood grain fiber, P180 has your solution. Of course, you will have to refinish the wood per the original method. On a separate note, sandpaper grade P180 is a safe option for prepping latex paints. So for a regular wood project, I would only finish it off with P120 sandpaper. Just ensuring that there are no sharp edges on there at all. However, if I was going to paint a surface after I finished it off with a 120 paper then painted it I would then rub it down with P240 sandpaper. Once this panel has had an undercoat and then you rub it down with a bit of P240 that’s going to give it a super smooth finish ready for a topcoat. Final Thoughts Okay so let’s just summarize. We’ve got lots of different sandpaper we’ve got lots of different colors and we’ve got lots of different numbers P40, P60, P120, the list goes on. If you’re serious about your woodworking get yourself some P80 to P120 and some P240.

More Facts on Sandpaper Types

Despite the identical name to the abrasive paper category listed above, very fine micro grits are distinct and are used for sanding finishes in between consecutive coats on either wood or drywall. FEPA classifications are P240, P280, P320, or P360 while CAMI classifications are denoted as 240. The diameter size is between 40.5 to 58.5 micrometers. Extra Fine This sits below coarse sandpaper and includes 24 and 36 grit sandpaper. It is used for jobs that have a lot of paint or varnish to remove. It's often used on rough timber that needs to be smoothed out and the first sanding when sanding floorboards. What does the P mean in sandpaper grits?

P120 that’s also going to help to do similar to what the P80 grit does, but it is going to give you a smoother finish. I probably wouldn’t recommend this for stripping paint. But if you’re going to be rubbing down between coats where you just want to smooth down some paint before painting it again P120 is good. Also good for your rough woodworking. P400 Sandpaper– Only oil finishes like tung oil & teak oil require the surface to be finished to this level. And it’s also not a requirement for all wood working projects that use those types of finishes. Lastly, you can rely on P400 to smooth the top coats of polyurethane. Very Finebuffs metal and removes light paint from metal and wood. Very fine grits range from 240 to 280 (P240 to P320). In the event that you don’t have every sheet listed on our sandpaper grit chart, that’s not the end of the world. You can substitute a similar grit level depending on the application. Just be sure to do further research to make sure that you don’t select the wrong one. That is, some substitutions are less intuitive than others. For instance, a craftsman looking to stain a wood piece might view P240 as a suitable replacement for P220. However, the better option is actually P180 as it gives the wood grain a stronger appearance. Also, it’s worth mentioning that P240 is a bit too fine for wood stain and will hinder it ability to soak into the wood. Applications for Each Grit Level Macro grit sandpapers range across the following sub-types. The one thing they all have in common is that abrasive papers in this family all have fewer grains, but the grains they have are large. Extra CoarseGrit Levels P40 & P60– Most projects won’t need these sandpaper grades. They’re only required for cleaning up rough lumber, evening out large bumps in the wood, & removing stubborn old paints. Essentially, you’ll use these to soften anything that’s too rough for your hands to handle. Also, they can remove almost anything so don’t hesitate to jump up to the next grit.