

In order to thoroughly wet the sandpaper, many people recommend soaking it in liquid overnight. This helps the sanding surface conform to the shape of the material.ģ. Alternatively, you can buy sanding sponges which have the abrasive adhered directly to the sponge. You can fold the paper over on itself to create a thick piece to hold on to, but it’s even better to wrap the sandpaper around a backing pad. 3M’s “Wetordry” is the standard type, and can be found at your local hardware store. Not all sandpaper is created for wet sanding, so make sure that the sandpaper you’re using is specifically rated for it. If you’re sanding bare metal, you can use WD-40 as lubrication instead of water.Ģ. (Dish soap works well.) The detergent lowers the surface tension of the water, and helps wet the paper and the material more thoroughly, reducing scuffing. In general, the best liquid to use for most materials is water with a little bit of detergent in it.

Without the liquid, material can build up in the sandpaper and leave behind scratches that are larger than the particle size, ruining your finish.

The wet part of wet sanding refers to the use of water or some other liquid as lubrication to help carry away grit particles that are removed.

When done correctly, the surface will be slowly leveled out, and the scratches left behind will become smaller and smaller, until the light they reflect no longer makes them visible.ġ. Unlike dry sanding, wet sanding is done not to shape a surface, but to remove the large scratches left by dry sanding. Wet sanding is typically done after dry sanding to get an even finish. Wet sanding is a process that’s often used on car paint jobs, guitars, and even 3D prints to give them a mirror-smooth look. When you really want a glossy finish, you’ll need to wet sand. Showcasing amazing maker projects of 2022 Gift the gift of Make: Magazine this holiday season! Subscribe to the premier DIY magazine todayĬommunity access, print, and digital Magazine, and more Share a cool tool or product with the community.įind a special something for the makers in your life. Skill builder, project tutorials, and more Get hands-on with kits, books, and more from the Maker Shed A project collaboration and documentation platform.Initiatives for the next generation of makers. Membership connects and supports the people and projects that shape our future and supports the learning.
600 grit sandpaper free#
