As a decorator, you know that sanding is an essential part of the process. It’s what helps you achieve that smooth, polished finish you’re after on your walls or woodwork. A low quality decorator might largely miss this step – maybe sanding the odd patch by hand where filler has been applied if you’re lucky, but thats it.
At New Look Decorators our standard requires all walls to be filled, prepared and properly sanded before we wipe down to remove any residual dust and then start painting. We believe a decorating job should be done right!
But with so many different types of sanders and abrasives out there, it can be challenging to know which one to use for your project. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the different types of sanders, sanding motions and abrasives, and cover the importance of dust extraction.
Types of Sanders
When it comes to sanding, there are several different types of sanders to choose from. Each one has its own unique features and benefits, so it’s essential to choose the right one for the job.
1. Belt Sanders Belt sanders are powerful tools that use a continuous loop of sandpaper to sand large, flat surfaces quickly. They’re ideal for removing rough patches, levelling surfaces, and removing paint or varnish. Belt sanders come in different sizes, with larger ones being more powerful but also heavier and more difficult to manoeuvre.
2. Orbital Sanders Orbital sanders, also known as random orbital sanders, use a circular sanding motion to remove material from the surface. They’re great for sanding curved surfaces, as well as for final finishing work. Orbital sanders are available in both palm and inline models, with palm models being more manoeuvrable but less powerful than inline models.
3. Detail Sanders Detail sanders, also known as corner sanders, are designed for sanding hard-to-reach areas, such as corners and edges. They use triangular sanding pads that can get into tight spaces and are ideal for refinishing furniture and other intricate projects.
4. Disc Sanders Disc sanders use a circular sanding disc to remove material from the surface. They’re ideal for sanding large, flat surfaces, but they can also be used for shaping and contouring. Disc sanders come in both handheld and stationary models, with stationary models being more powerful but also more expensive.
Sanding Motions
In addition to different types of sanders, there are also different sanding motions that you can use. Each one has its own unique benefits, so it’s important to choose the right one for the job.
1. Straight-Line Sanding Straight-line sanding is the most common sanding motion. It involves moving the sander back and forth in a straight line, parallel to the wood grain. This motion is ideal for removing rough patches and leveling surfaces.
2. Circular Sanding Circular sanding involves moving the sander in a circular motion on the surface. This motion is ideal for removing scratches and swirl marks, and for finishing work.
3. Orbital Sanding Orbital sanding involves moving the sander in a circular motion while also moving it back and forth in a random pattern. This motion is ideal for final finishing work and for removing material without leaving scratches or swirl marks.
Abrasives
Abrasives are the materials that are used to sand the surface.
There are several different types of abrasives to choose from, each with its own unique benefits.
1. Sandpaper Sandpaper is the most common abrasive and is available in a wide range of grits. The higher the grit number, the finer the sandpaper. Sandpaper can be used for both hand sanding and with power sanders.
2. Sanding Pads Sanding pads are abrasive pads that are attached to the sander. They’re available in a range of grits and are ideal for use with orbital sanders and detail sanders.
3. Sanding Discs Sanding discs are abrasive discs that are attached to disc sanders. They’re available in a range of grits and are ideal for sanding large, flat surfaces.
4. Sanding Belts Sanding belts are abrasive belts that are attached to belt sanders. They’re available in a range of grits and are ideal for removing rough patches and levelling surfaces.
Importance of Dust Extraction
When sanding, dust is created, which can be hazardous to your health if inhaled. It’s essential to use dust extraction to remove the dust from the air and prevent it from settling on surfaces. There are several different types of dust extraction systems to choose from, including:
1. Vacuum Systems Vacuum systems are the most common type of dust extraction system and work by sucking up the dust as it’s created. They’re ideal for use with handheld sanders and detail sanders.
2. Extractor Fans Extractor fans are another type of dust extraction system and work by pulling the dust away from the work area. They’re ideal for use with stationary sanders.
3. Air Filtration Systems Air filtration systems work by filtering the air in the room and removing dust particles. They’re ideal for use in larger workshops and can help improve air quality.
In conclusion, sanding is an essential part of the woodworking process, and there are several different types of sanders, sanding motions, and abrasives to choose from. It’s important to choose the right one for the job and to use dust extraction to protect your health. With the right tools and techniques, you can achieve a smooth, polished finish on all of your projects.
Grit and determination
Abrasive materials are categorised into different grades based on their particle size. The particle size of abrasives is described in terms of grit.
The grit level refers to the number of abrasive particles that are present per square inch of an abrasive material so abrasive materials with a higher grit level have smaller particle sizes and are used for finer finishes, while those with a lower grit level have larger particle sizes and are used for more aggressive cutting.
The different grades of abrasive materials range from coarse to fine. Coarse abrasives have a grit level of 24 to 60 and are typically used for heavy-duty tasks such as metal removal and surface preparation. Medium abrasives have a grit level of 80 to 120 and are used for smoothing out rough surfaces and removing minor imperfections. Fine abrasives have a grit level of 180 to 600 and are used for achieving a smooth finish on surfaces.
In addition to the grit level, the type of abrasive material also affects its cutting ability. There are various types of abrasive materials such as aluminium oxide, silicon carbide, and diamond. Aluminium oxide is a versatile abrasive that can be used on a wide range of materials. Silicon carbide is a harder abrasive and is used for more aggressive cutting.
Diamond is the hardest abrasive and is used for cutting hard materials such as ceramics and glass. In summary, the different grades of abrasive materials are categorised based on their particle size or grit level. The grit level of an abrasive material determines its cutting ability and the type of abrasive material used also affects its performance.
But thankfully you don’t need to worry about any of this if New Look Decorators does the job for you! Call Paul on Mobile: 07886 902716 if you’d like a quote for painting and decorating.