Never skip more than one step
80 → 120 → 180 is fine. 80 → 180 is not: the 180 paper cannot remove an 80-grit scratch, so it rounds its edges and makes it invisible on bare timber — until the finish goes on and a raking light shows every one of them.
The extra disc costs a euro. The mistake costs the panel.
Check between grits
Wipe the surface with white spirit or a damp cloth and look at it from a low angle against the light. Scratches from the previous grit show immediately when wet, and disappear again when dry, which is exactly why people miss them.
On resinous timber, use mesh
Pine resin and filler clog paper discs within minutes, and most of the abrasive is still unused when the disc stops cutting. Mesh discs extract through the whole face and keep cutting.
This does not replace your machine’s manual. Guards, riving knives and safe working procedures differ between machines, and the manufacturer’s instructions for yours take precedence over anything written here.
What comes up most often
How fine should I go?
For most film finishes, 150 to 180 is plenty — going finer can burnish the surface and reduce absorption. For oil, 220 or a little beyond is worth it.
Last reviewed 2026-08-12
