Answer
To avoid sanding through veneer, use 220 lightly. Use 320 for gentle scuffing on smooth veneer.
Why it happens
Veneer has a thin surface layer, so coarse grit and heavy pressure remove material too fast.
Recommended grit
Use 220 for light prep. Use 320 for gentle scuff sanding on already smooth veneer.
Wet or dry
Dry.
Success check
The veneer is lightly scuffed with no exposed substrate or pale sand-through spots.
What to do
- Clean the veneer surface.
- Use 220 with very light pressure.
- Sand evenly with the grain.
- Stop as soon as the surface is dull and smooth.
Avoid: Do not use 80 or 120 grit on thin veneer faces.