Identifying Abrasives and Preventing Loading
At 5:58 in
Sanding Tips | Sand Like A PRO
What happens here
To distinguish between abrasive types, cloth is typically brown and has a flexible, almost fabric-like feel. Paper tears easily, while film (like Uneeda's FilmTech) is very difficult to tear. Many film abrasives feature a 'steration' (a patterned coating or treatment) designed to reduce heat and help dust particles slide out from between the grains. Loading occurs when wood fibers or old finish material clog the spaces between the abrasive grains, preventing them from cutting effectively. This leads to heat buildup and a dull abrasive. To prevent loading, use light pressure, ensure the finish is adequately cured before sanding, and choose abrasives with anti-loading properties or coatings (like the white, creamy 'soap-like' layer on some silicon carbide, or the resin-impregnated steration on FilmTech), which helps the abrasive run cooler and prevents material from sticking.
Goal: This step provides practical methods for identifying abrasive types and thoroughly explains the phenomenon of 'loading' and strategies to prevent it.
Tools and materials
- Cloth-backed abrasive
- Film-backed abrasive
- Paper-backed abrasive
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