In floor sanding timber, there are typically three main types of grit used in sandpaper:
- Coarse Grit: Coarse grit sandpaper usually falls in the range of 20 to 36 grit. This type of sandpaper is used for the initial sanding of the floor to remove old finishes, paint, or deep scratches. It is very aggressive and removes material quickly but leaves a rough surface behind. If possible we recommend trying to avoid these grits and start with a 40 grit as this will do the job most of the time. You just sand a little slower. The benefit comes in having less deep scratches to remove in later work.
- Medium Grit: Medium grit sandpaper typically ranges from 40 to 80 grit. This type of sandpaper is used for the intermediate sanding stages to smooth out the surface after the initial coarse sanding. It helps to remove the scratches left by the coarse grit sandpaper and prepares the floor for the final sanding stages. It is vital to use at least two medium grit grades to achieve a better finish.
- Fine Grit: Fine grit sandpaper ranges from 100 to 220 grit and is used for the final sanding stages to achieve a smooth and polished finish on the floor. The level that you will sand to in grades will be determined by the recommendations made with the finish selected. Fine grit sandpaper removes the fine scratches left by the medium grit sandpaper and leaves the floor surface ready for staining, sealing, or finishing.
The main differences between these grit types are their aggressiveness and the level of smoothness they provide to the floor surface. Coarse grit removes material quickly but leaves a rough surface, while fine grit removes material more slowly but provides a smoother finish. It’s important to progress through the different grit types gradually to achieve the desired finish on the timber floor.
A typical sequence for hardwoods is
40 – 60 – 80 – 100 – 120 – 180 for waterborne finishes
40 – 60 – 80 for penetrating oil finishes
40 – 60 – 80 – 100 – 120 for solvent based finishes
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