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Choose the symptom that best matches what happened while sanding.

Common sanding problems

Scratches Are Too Deep

Scratch marks stay visible even after moving to finer grits.

Deep scratches remain after 80 grit320 grit does not remove 180 grit scratchesCoarse scratches show on woodScratches remain on metal after prepDeep lines remain on clear coat

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Not Sure What Grit To Use

You are unsure where to start or which grit should come next.

Skipped from 120 grit to 320 gritChoosing a starting gritHow to use the 60 to 3000 grit kitWhat grit to use for wood prepWhat grit to use for paint prep

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Sandpaper Clogs Too Fast

The sheet loads with dust, paint, or residue and stops cutting.

Paint clogs the sheet quicklyPrimer dust loads the paperWood dust clogs the paperFinish smears while sandingWet sanding slurry builds up

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Sanding Takes Too Long

Cutting feels slow and defects are not clearing in a reasonable time.

Paint removal is too slowFine grit is being used for removalWorn sheet is not cutting

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Surface Still Feels Rough

The surface still feels uneven or textured after sanding.

Wood still rough after 120 gritWood still rough after 220 gritMetal still feels roughPlastic still feels roughRough spots remain after fine grit

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Wet Sanding Leaves Haze

Wet sanding leaves cloudiness or haze that does not clear.

Is haze normal after wet sanding?Clear coat is hazy after 1000 gritPlastic is hazy after wet sandingWet sanding haze is unevenLeveling orange peel in clear coat

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Swirl Marks Remain

Circular marks remain visible after sanding or prep work.

Swirls remain after 1000 gritSwirls from dirty wet sanding waterRandom orbital swirl pattern remains

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Finish Looks Uneven

The finish looks patchy, blotchy, or inconsistent across the surface.

Uneven finish from sanding pressureHand sanding leaves finger groovesFinish looks patchy after changing gritWet sanding haze is uneven

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Poor Results Between Coats

Between-coat sanding does not produce a smooth, even base.

Grit is too coarse between coatsCutting through finish between coatsPrimer scratches show through paintWhat grit to use for paint prep

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Paper Tears Early

Sheets tear, fray, or wear out before finishing the sanding step.

Sandpaper tears on sharp edgesSandpaper tears from foldingSandpaper tears from heavy pressure

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Start by task or material

Paint Prep

Browse 22 matching answers for paint prep (surfaces: paint or primer, paint, painted trim, painted baseboard; tasks: paint prep, primer prep, spray paint prep, residue removal).

Which grit is best before painting?What grit should I use on primer before paint?How do I remove gloss before repainting?

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Wood Finish Prep

Browse 11 matching answers for wood finish prep (surfaces: wood, wood finish, oak wood, pine wood; tasks: wood finish prep, furniture refinishing, finish prep, between coats).

Which grit is best before staining wood?What grit should I use for furniture refinishing?What grit should I use on veneer?

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Drywall Patch

Browse 4 matching answers for drywall patch (surfaces: drywall patch, drywall, drywall ceiling; tasks: drywall sanding, corner sanding, patch sanding).

What grit should I use for a drywall patch?Drywall paper fuzz appears after sandingWhat grit for sanding drywall corners?

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Rust Removal

Browse 5 matching answers for rust removal (surfaces: metal, wrought iron, rusted metal, painted metal; tasks: rust removal).

Which grit removes rust?What grit removes rust before painting metal?What grit for wrought iron rust removal?

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Paint Removal

Browse 2 matching answers for paint removal (surfaces: paint or primer, painted metal; tasks: paint removal).

Which grit removes old paint?What grit removes paint from a metal chair?

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Metal Prep

Browse 2 matching answers for metal prep (surfaces: metal; tasks: metal prep).

What grit should I use for aluminum?What grit should I use for stainless steel?

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Plastic Sanding

Browse 6 matching answers for plastic sanding (surfaces: plastic, ABS plastic, vinyl plastic, polycarbonate; tasks: plastic sanding, heat control, plastic polishing prep, edge smoothing).

What grit for acrylic plastic?Plastic melts or smears while sandingWhat grit for ABS plastic parts?

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Wet Or Dry Use

Browse 5 matching answers for wet or dry use (surfaces: general sandpaper use, wood; tasks: wet or dry use).

Can this sandpaper be used wet and dry?When should I use wet sanding?When should I use dry sanding?

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Grit Sequence

Browse 2 matching answers for grit sequence (surfaces: general sandpaper use; tasks: grit sequence).

How long should I sand with each grit?Can I skip grits?

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Headlight Restoration

Browse 1 matching answers for headlight restoration (surfaces: plastic headlight; tasks: headlight restoration).

What grit for headlight restoration?

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