Answer
Coarse 60–120 removes material. Medium 150–240 smooths. Fine 280–400 refines. Ultra-fine 500–3000 is for wet sanding and final finishing.
Why it happens
Grit numbers can be confusing because lower numbers cut more aggressively and higher numbers refine the surface.
Recommended grit
Use 60 to 120 for coarse work, 150 to 240 for medium prep, 280 to 400 for fine prep, and 500 to 3000 for ultra-fine finishing.
Wet or dry
Dry for removal and prep; wet for many ultra-fine finishing stages.
Success check
The grit category matches the sanding stage.
What to do
- Use coarse grits, 60 to 120, for removal.
- Use medium grits, 150 to 240, for smoothing and prep.
- Use fine grits, 280 to 400, for refinement.
- Use ultra-fine grits, 500 to 3000, for wet sanding and final finishing.
Avoid: Do not start with the finest grit when material still needs removal.